International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)

I had been counting down for a 107 days and finally the day had come. 14th of January I got on the plane towards Ghana, Afrika. I have travelled a lot in Asia and other European countries before but I had never been to Afrika and everything was just so exciting. When I ordered the trip with IVHQ I had never imagined it would be the best time of my life. After graduation I decided I wanted to do voluntary work for some months. At first I hadn't decided on a precise location except I wished to go to Afrika. Researching among African countries quickly helped me decide to go to Ghana. The people were friendly, it was an Englishspeaking country and the nature looked beautiful. Once I had registered I started planning when to get my vaccinations and visa. During the planning I received all the help I needed from both IVHQ and Volunteer Corps Organisation in Ghana. Including a project coordinator, a letter of invitation for my visa and a program booklet with all the information about my program and Ghana. 2 weeks before departure I received a mail with my specific project, saying that I was placed on the teaching project (as requested) in the small town of Frankadua, Volta Region. At arrival I was picked up in the airport with the other arriving volunteers and taken to the volunteer house in Accra. The first night was special and waking up in a strange house so far away from home was definitely an intimidating experience. The first part of the 15th was orientation which in every way was useful. This included of course information about Ghana and the programs and also a language course. After this we were transported to our programs and finally I got to see Ghana in daylight! After a bumpy two hour ride we reached Frankadua and were introduced to the other volunteers on placement. Wow! Everything was so different from my expectations. It wasn't worse than my expectations just very different. The following day we visited the schools and selected which one we wished to teach at. The kids were wonderful and teaching has in every way exceeded my expectations. Being responsible for teaching a class how to do long division or multiplication may seem a bit meaningless once you start but when they finally get it you feel so proud of yourself and of course the children. Once every week our project coordinator either visited us or gave us a phone call to make sure everything was going as planned. In Frankadua we also had a go-to person in case of any enquiries. At no point did I feel as if I was left on my own. Being part of the local community is also a giving experience and once I adapted I felt like I had lived in Ghana for many years. Living the African lifestyle definitely grows on you. I can't say that the first two weeks weren't really hard and I kept asking myself why I had chosen to do this but once I got the routine, the close friends (locals and the other volunteers) and spent time with the adorable children I was sold. Loving Ghana, the next many weeks flew by and before I had realized it, it was time to go home. I had been traveling, teaching, playing sports and having a blast for whole 3 months!! I celebrated easter in Ghana as well which meant going to a huge part and dancing all night with some very talented locals. Leaving Ghana is probably the hardest thing I have ever tried and adapting at home took a big effort. Since I came home I've been in contact with friends in Frankadua and there is no doubt that I am returning. I would anytime recommend volunteering in Ghana and if I could give someone good advice it would be to just be open towards everything and I promise you, you won't be disappointed.

IVHQ is great, helpful, information given complete and the price is affordable. Life in the jungle conservation, get up every morning, make bed, washing dirty cloth in the river with Oscar, fed Manu, clean up the dining hall/common area with John and Jason, boiling agua caliente, pull Julio across la oroya, having desayuno with bugs on the strawberry jam, waiting for Ramon divided our work, working with Don Mario and Agusto, had delicious almuerzo cooked by Gloria, spend the rest of the day trekking, drawing and sketching friends, having cena with candle light and head lamp, playing cards, watching Ramon’s and Oscar’s headlamp flashing from far looking for snakes, counting stars at night, go to sleep and waking up at night scratching. Everyday is the same day, except on Sunday when we spend time in Patria for almuerzo or Pilcopata for internet and Monday waiting for new volunteer and new supplies. Life in school construction, Taking bus named Rapido, mixing cement, scraping wall, plastering, playing with dog name Sheriff, got back with bus full with school kids, having almuerzo, hunt for slice of pizza with Adrian, spoiled myself with internet and television, exploring Cusco bit by bit each day. I will register with them for other programs, recommended.