Volunteer in Ghana

I gave 100% and received many grateful thanks and blessings from the Ghanaian people. It is very hard to describe one's experience as I believe one has to go through it themselves but my advice is to take on the new challenge, get out of your comfort zone and make a difference in people's lives.

I feel like I gained so much from this experience, in only 2 weeks, and I truly feel like I've come home a much stronger person. IVHQ helped me to feel very prepared for my trip - as a first time volunteer. IVHQ made me feel safe and confident about my trip. After this experience, I would definitely recommend IVHQ and volunteering in general, and would love to do something like this myself again!

I hope the work I did made an impact while I was there, and I hope to take everything I learned and implement it into my everyday life now.

Advice wise, I would say to a new volunteer to go with an open mind and heart, listen to the staff, be prepared for the mental challenges, and learn as much as you can.

Reflecting on my experience as a volunteer in Ghana, this experience has strengthened my adaptability, teamwork and communication skills, in new environments and has deepened my sense of empathy towards others. For anyone thinking of embarking on a trip like this, I would recommend that you embrace the unknown and stay open to partaking in various opportunities that would definitely add to your growth as an individual. I had the best time in Ghana, and this trip is definitely a highlight of my 2024, so far.

This experience showed me the true reason I want to be a doctor. Healthcare outreach has always been important to me, but going to Ghana shed a whole new light on this. I realized how important it is go out into under-served communities to offer healthcare to those in need. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full health potential, and even the smallest acts can make a difference in someone's life.

Ghana left a lasting impact on me. I learned so much and left with so many life lessons. This trip, despite only being a week long, truly changed my life! To anyone who is hesitant about doing a service trip, I would tell them that they will regret it if they don't go. I was hesitant, too, but after doing one, I am already looking at where I can go serve next. It is one of the best experiences you will ever have.

Do it! Volunteering is something I’ve always wanted to do and this experience didn’t disappoint. The integration between locals and the children was something I've not experienced, the love you feel is incredible. The joy you experience is something that is hard to find at home. Everyone on the local team was amazing, they helped us all, taught us lots of things, and went above and beyond. Everyone is so full of love and kindness you cannot not enjoy yourself, the volunteer work makes you feel as if you are making a difference, and the bonds and friendships you make you will carry with you forever.