Volunteer in Medicine in Ghana

I was informed about the volunteering process by IVHQ which gave me advanced preparation. The local team was amazing, they communicated very well and were organized from the beginning to the very end. For the accommodation, I didn’t expect anything different because I was prepared from the beginning from IVHQ. I have no complaints and was already prepared before arriving. My favourite moment from the experience was seeing the impact of services we delivered to the community, I felt the warmth within the community. The staff was amazing; they were so kind and always willing to assist if needed. If you are hesitant about volunteering abroad, change your mind set and give from your heart, also be thankful for making life better for someone else.

My Program Manager, Sammy, was always on hand when I needed her! The local team were absolutely amazing and an absolute asset to IVHQ. The wound care project was amazing. I really felt like I was helping the community and they needed that time due to being too far away from the clinics. Wound care trips in Ghana are more than essential. I felt very safe at the volunteer house. If there were any issues, we knew the local team would sort them out immediately. The food was lovely. I enjoyed every single meal and the cook asked preferences to likes and dislikes which really made my trip as I don’t eat fish and was one of my concerns before going. The feeling you get from volunteering is one that you'll never get anywhere else. I was actually sad to be leaving. I thought this would be a once in a lifetime experience that I would never repeat. How wrong I was - I will 100% be back!

The local team was great. They always made sure I was comfortable and happy at the volunteer house and the local clinics. There were so many great moments. My absolute favorite would be spending time and getting to know the local children. Everyone in Ghana was so nice and extremely welcoming. They made me feel right at home. Going to Ghana, I knew it would be an adjustment. I was aware that I would be in a space where they did not have the same resources as I would here at home. It was truly an adjustment for me when I got to see what they actually had. It was amazing to see how they made it work with the supplies they did have. They never complained. It was truly humbling to see the way things worked here. I am SO grateful to have been able to witness so much love, respect and unity in a community. The other volunteers you meet, the culture, the food, the people will all be worth it! Whether you go to make an impact on the community or to find something within yourself, this will be an unforgettable experience. Do not let fear keep you from trying something new. Get out of your comfort zone and take a leap of faith.