Your home
away from
home
During your stay in Ghana you will be living at our volunteer hostel. We are based 10 minutes from the beach and 20 minutes drive from the city centre. All placements are located in and around this area and the transport links are well established. Local amenities such as convenience stores, pharmacies and forex bureau’s are all within close proximity to the hostel.
About Your Stay
Your home away from home
During your stay in Ghana you will be living at our volunteer hostel. We are based 10 minutes from the beach and 20 minutes drive from the city centre. All placements are located in and around this area and the transport links are well established. Local amenities such as convenience stores, pharmacies and forex bureau’s are all within close proximity to the hostel.
Your Volunteer
village in Accra
Our house is based in Osu, a pleasant suburb of Accra and we aim to create a lively, vibrant environment to make you feel at home. We have large social area where you can put your feet up and relax both indoors and outdoors, a dining room for you to enjoy our freshly cooked food and large single sex bedrooms where you can crash after a busy day.
Security
Our number 1 priority is to make sure that you feel safe and at home during your stay here. Ghana is known as one of the world’s friendliest countries and you will soon see why. The house is located in a very quiet neighbourhood with a large gated compound. As well as this our friendly and experienced staff will be around to help you with anything and everything that you need. There is also a security man at the Hostel 24/7.
Food
During your stay in Ghana we will be providing you with 2 meals a day. Breakfast will be basic but nutritious and dinner will be prepared for you by our talented cook who will prepare amazing local dishes for you. If you have any special dietary requirement we will do our best to accommodate you. Our dining area is a great place to reconvene after a busy day, share stories and experiences and plan how to make the most of your time here. Each day you will have the opportunity to buy local dishes for lunch or make your own food in the kitchen.
Sleeping
We have a number of large single sex bedrooms for our volunteers with comfortable beds, ceiling fans and air conditioning to keep you cool throughout the day and night.
Staff
We have a mixture of experienced British and Ghanaian staff to take care of our volunteers. With years of experience our staff create an optional activities programme for the volunteers to take part in, including cultural experiences (cooking lessons, local language lessons), visits into Accra and to see the local area (including museums, markets and the beach) as well as travelling opportunities during the weekends to visit slave castles, mountains, waterfalls, animals and more!
What’s Included
- Accommodation
- Airport Pick Up
- Breakfast & Dinner
- Orientation on arrival
- 24 hour staff/ assistance
- Purified drinking water
What’s Not Included:
- Flights
- Insurance
- Lunch
- In Country Transportation
- Vaccinations
- Extra Travel Opportunities
- Airport Departure
FAQ
At Akwaaba Volunteers we understand that choosing your volunteering experience may not be an easy decision, so we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help put your mind at ease. If there are any other questions, please contact us directly!
Why Volunteer with Akwaaba Volunteers?
Volunteering requires giving up your time and money to help people less fortunate than yourself. However, we always find volunteers leave us having gained considerably more than this in life experience. At Akwaaba Volunteers we provide everyone with the experience of a lifetime, immersing volunteers in local culture and activities, and providing the opportunity to make a direct impact in your child’s chosen programme. Akwaaba Volunteers provides a safe and exciting way to volunteer in a new country at the lowest possible prices as we strive to change the future for the next generation.
How long do placements last and when can I start?
Placements start from 2 weeks up to 3 months. Most people choose to visit for 4 – 6 weeks depending on the time they have available. Start dates are the first weekend of each month but we are happy to be flexible. To tailor your programme for you we advise that you let us know as soon as you have decided to join us so we can discuss any arrangements.
Can I fundraise for this project?
Fundraising is a fantastic idea to make more of an impact on your project whilst you are in Ghana and is a great way to raise awareness of your trip and what you are hoping to achieve. So, whilst not compulsory, it is more than welcome. For any tips on fundraising to make more of an impact please contact us for ideas.
How safe is Ghana?
Ghana is the most peaceful country in West Africa with some of the friendliest people in the world. However, it is imperative to us that our volunteers feel comfortable at all times: our volunteer accommodation is in a secure compound, has 24 hour staff supervision and there is always a member of staff on site. Our volunteers are met at the airport upon arrival and accompanied to all placements and excursions that they wish to attend in order to provide them with the best experience possible while feeling, and being safe.
What do I have to pay for other than the volunteering fees?
The volunteering fees go directly into funding the projects that our volunteers attend and include airport pick up, 2 meals a day provided at the volunteer house, staff supervision, orientation upon arrival and the set-up of all placements. You will need to pay for flights to Accra, any applicable Ghanaian Visa and any vaccinations or medication that you may be advised by a medical expert to take during your time here. You should also bring spending money to get to your placements, any personal expenditure, and money for any additional travelling / excursions that you wish to join.
How long do placements last and when can I start?
Placements start from 2 weeks up to 3 months. Most people choose to visit for 4 – 6 weeks depending on the time they have available. Start dates are the first weekend of each month but we are happy to be flexible. To tailor your programme for you we advise that you let us know as soon as you have decided to join us so we can discuss any arrangements.
What age do you have to be to volunteer?
Volunteers are welcome from the age of 18 upwards. Most of our volunteers are aged between 18 – 30 but we welcome anyone wishing to take a career break or that simply want to make a difference. If you are younger than 18 and wish to volunteer, please contact us directly to discuss the opportunity.
Can I volunteer with friends?
Of course you are more than welcome to book with friends or as a group. If you wish to do so we would advise letting us know in our booking form so that we can try and organise your placements and living arrangements to be together.
Can I fundraise for this project?
Fundraising is a fantastic idea to make more of an impact on your project whilst you are in Ghana and is a great way to raise awareness of your trip and what you are hoping to achieve. So, whilst not compulsory, it is more than welcome. For any tips on fundraising to make more of an impact please contact us for ideas.
How do I know who else will be in Ghana at this time?
When enquiring about your project in Ghana we will advise you about how many people will be at the house during your time here as well as how many will be attending the same placement as you.
How do I get a visa for Ghana?
Obtaining a visa can be done online by visiting the Ghana high commission website. We will send you a letter from Akwaaba Volunteers inviting you to Ghana to attach to your visa application. This process can take up to 3 weeks so make sure you apply well before your travel date.
What should you pack?
There is an advised dress code for each project – clothing should be comfortable and modest as Ghana is a very religious country (the primary religion is Christianity). The weather stays above 25 degrees all year round so take this into consideration when you are packing but it can also be very dusty. Shorts and t-shirts are a staple outfit with at least one pair of closed shoes. We also advise bringing a torch, sun cream, mosquito repellent, watch, camera, beach wear, towels, sunglasses, trainers, and any other personal essentials.
What can I do when I am not volunteering?
After placements you have some down time to relax and enjoy the sunshine, the accommodation is spacious with an outdoor seating area to enjoy reading, listening to music, there is a beach 10 minutes’ walk from the house. Our in-country team will also organise activities and excursions in the evenings and the weekends for a small additional cost. These activities include local craft making, visits to local markets, museums and sights, as well as trips across the country to see more of this beautiful country.