Joanna Bayers

Country: USA, Age: 29

Joanna Bayers

Ghana was definitely a culture shock to me. I was not use to seeing goats and chickens roaming the streets or drinking water from a bag

After 28 hours of traveling, I had finally arrived in Accra, Ghana. My program coordinators and another volunteer were at the airport waiting for me. Since, I arrived later then expected, do to a delay in Nigeria, we just headed to where I would be staying in Koforidua. The dorm where I was staying was much nicer than I had expected.

Project: Sport Education Teacher
Volunteered: 14 November 2011

Bronagh Faherty

Country: Spain, Age: 54

Bronagh Faherty

When we got our first taste of life here in Ghana and I must say was a real shock to the five senses in every way despite the open mind I had come with.

The children were some of the poorest I have ever seen but so friendly and pleasant that even on that first day I realized they would be teaching us more on the value of life than we would be teaching them.

Project: Childrens Orphanage
Volunteered: 5 August 2011

Caitlin Dougherty

Country: USA, Age: 24

Caitlin Dougherty

At the end of the two weeks, I could have never imagined how upset I would be to leave the children. The children are amazing and really make everything about working at the camp completely worthwhile, in just two weeks I felt a developed a really strong bond with my entire group of kids. Before I entered this experience, I would have never guessed I would have wanted to stay longer!.

I was blown away by how well behaved, well mannered and respectful the children were. They were eager to learn and try new things and their excitement for us being there was incredibly rewarding.

Project: Childrens Orphanage
Volunteered: 5 August 2011

Demian Martinez and Maria Sansaloni

Country: Spain, Age: 31

Demian Martinez and Maria Sansaloni

Moreover the most beautiful experience we had over here is having the opportunity to teach kids from nearby villages and the ones who lived in the orphanage. It has been extremely exciting, because we are from Spain and the people over there don’t really appreciate what they have. In Ghana, with only the basics we were able to teach and made the children very happy.

Personally we think that Ghanaian people have to fight for their everyday life, they need to work very hard to earn very little but even so they are generous and happy enough to give what they have to help anyone.

Project: Sport Education Teacher
Volunteered: 5 August 2011

Patrick Martinez Faherty

Country: Spain, Age: 20

Patrick Martinez Faherty

Our arrival in the country was a little bittersweet because, on the one hand we only received five bags out of 12 that we had checked in, but on the other hand it was nice that Nat and Gifty were waiting for us at the airport late at night.

Working at the orphanage was amazing; the summer camp was successful, well organized and above all, the children were so nice and polite, they made our stay in Ghana much more pleasant, and always made us come home and feel happy for the work we had done that day.

Project: Sport Education Teacher
Volunteered: 5 August 2011

Fiona Martinez Faherty

Country: Spain, Age: 28

Fiona Martinez Faherty

Going to Africa and getting to know the culture had always been one of my dreams. It was one of those dreams that seemed so near and so far at the same time that, when I put my feet on Ghanaian soil I could not believe it had actually come true.

I think volunteering with all such generous and non-prejudist people has made me open my mind and reaffirm the saying "Money can help towards happiness but does not guarantee it 100%".

Project: Teaching English in Ghana
Volunteered: 5 August 2011

Jeff Coffey

Country: USA, Age: 51

Jeff Coffey

I will take back many wonderful memories of the country and the people we lived and interacted with.

Our interaction with these families in the early mornings and evenings provided a rich and enjoyable dimension to our experience....Everyone took us under their wing and were exceptionally friendly to us.

Project: National Parks and Reserves
Volunteered: 8 July 2011

Tate Besougloff

Country: USA, Age: 19

Tate Besougloff

I really had no idea what to expect-it was my first international travel experience and probably could have gone either way. At the end of it, I’m so glad we decided to go through uVolunteer. I don’t think my first real travel experience could have gone any better.

In a short time, we were able to have the tourist experience here as well as learn what it is like to live and work as Ghanaians, all the while feeling safe and enjoying ourselves.

Project: National Parks and Reserves
Volunteered: 8 July 2011

Sophia Metzner

Country: USA, Age: 20

Sophia Metzner

Overall my experience at the orphanage was truly wonderful, and I would not trade it for anything, despite its challenges and obstacles.

I learned one thing right away, never expect things to go the way you had intended.

Project: Childrens Orphanage
Volunteered: 21 May 2011

Megan Holton

Country: USA, Age: 20

Megan Holton

As soon as I arrived, I could feel the excitement; Just in the 2 hour drive to Koforidua we bought plantain chips while sitting in the car, stopped to try some fresh “palm wine” from a calabash and a little child reaching out to touch me just because I was white.

Everyone overall in Ghana was kind and friendly, never was someone rude to me when I asked them for help.

Project: National Parks and Reserves
Volunteered: 20 May 2011

Michael Benko

Country: USA, Age: 21

Michael Benko

Ghana was the most eye opening experience I have ever encountered in my life. Upon arriving, I was not quite sure what to expect, but I knew I would not be living a posh life.

I often times found myself looking around in awe that I was in Ghana and how the people lived.

Project: Sport Education Teacher
Volunteered: 14 May 2011

Andrew Manos

Country: USA, Age: 34

Andrew Manos

I really appreciate uVolunteer for being organized and providing the volunteers with such a nice environment to live in.

I really enjoyed the Ghana experience. Charlie, you are invited!

Project: Sport Education Teacher
Volunteered: 8 April 2011

Kate Horan

Country: Australia, Age: 25

Kate Horan

I can’t believe my four weeks in Ghana is almost over!

This is the second time I’ve been to Ghana and it still impresses me that you can buy pretty much anything from the comfort of your tro-tro seat; breakfast, laundry soap, razor blades, phone credit, school books...you name it!

Project: Health and Medical Hospital
Volunteered: 18 February 2011

Bianca Ryseck

Country: USA, Age: 20

Bianca Ryseck

I had never experienced anything remotely close to what I encountered in Ghana

The next day we were fully flung into the hectic scene of the Makola market and made our way to the art center

Project: National Parks and Reserves
Volunteered: 6 January 2011

Shinno Seto

Country: USA, Age: 16

Shinno Seto

What touched me the most were the people and their hospitality, generosity and openness

As soon as we got off the plane at Accra airport, we were greeted and showed to our hotel. During the next two days we were given a thorough orientation and explained more or less what would happen in the next two weeks

Project: National Parks and Reserves
Volunteered: 6 January 2011

Lia Xiong

Country: USA, Age: 27

Lia Xiong

This chapter of my life was amazing and probably the best thing I have ever done

Ever since my study abroad trip to Ghana in 2004 I knew I would return. This time I wanted to serve the community by working with the Ghanaian kids, the future of Ghana.

Project: Childrens Orphanage
Volunteered: 27 December 2010

Charlotte Dieteren

Country: Netherlands, Age: 19

Charlotte Dieteren

My experiences with uVolunteer were great. From the first minute I was in Africa I enjoyed it.

I was teaching at a school. The children were really nice and I loved to teach there.

Project: Sport Education Teacher
Volunteered: 12 July 2010

Floren Garcia

Country: Spain, Age: 34

Floren Garcia

My stay in Ghana is one I'm definitely not going to forget while I live. Without a doubt!

my most cherished memory is the people I met there, their kindness and their generosity. While I absolutely recommend this experience, it may not be for just anyone.

Project: National Parks and Reserves
Volunteered: 3 September 2009