I was introduced to Humanity World International through a friend who found the website on the internet. There is a range of different opportunities such as law and human rights, volunteering at orphanages, teaching, and medical internships at the hospital.
There is a lot of preparation that is required before you leave for Ghana.
First, you must get all the vaccinations which include yellow fever, tetanus, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B, and whatever else your travel doctor advises. There are many different options when it comes to methods of malaria prevention and depending on which method you chose the side effects may include wild and crazy dreams. In order to enter Ghana, you must have a written and signed certificate proving that you received the yellow fever vaccination or else you will not be able to get your visa. I am a Canadian citizen and getting my visa took a lot longer than expected because of my green card. It is important that you get a head start on all the documents and paperwork at least a month in advance in case of complications. In my case, I had to send my passport twice to the Ghanaian Embassy in D.C. and needed to use the priority mail to ensure that I obtained my visa on time.
I was in constant communication with the director of Humanity World, Paul Badasu. He answered all my questions and made me feel more confident about my trip to Ghana. Included in the emails was a packing list, information about where I was staying, what to expect at the airport, the steps needed to get a visa, and the methods of communicating to loved ones back home. Through my experience, I have found that buying a good quality mosquito net is one of the most important items on the packing list. However, you should expect to be bitten by mosquitoes when youy step out of your mosquito net so I strongly encourage that you bring deet insect repellent.
Some people have a negative perception of Africa as a continent. When I first told people that I would be going to Ghana, I received many shocked and worried reactions. Do not let this stop you! If you have never travelled to a third world country, you can expect culture shock. It takes about a week to get settled in and feel comfortable about your surroundings. When I first arrived, I was shocked by the number of police and military men and women that were patrolling the streets and the amount of trash that littered the ground and waterways. My first week in Ghana I got lost on my way back to the orphanage. The Ghanaian people were more than happy and willing to help me find my way back. They would not leave me until they were sure I was safe and comfortable, which I was extremely grateful for.
Depending on if you are travelling alone or in a group, will determine where you stay. If you are in a large group, you will be staying in an apartment complex near by. If you are travelling alone, you will be in the house that can hold up to six other volunteers. There is a cook named Mildred who prepares all three meals which usually include egg and bread for breakfast, Ghanaian stew for lunch, and fish or chicken for dinner. There are a lot of carbs in their diet as well as spices. It is important to avoid any uncooked food, especially the vegetables!
The culture here is community based and the people make a point to look out for each other. It is not uncommon for people to come up to you and introduce themselves and want to have a conversation. People will wave and smile as you walk by and offer to help you if you need anything. Religion plays a huge role in Ghana, with about 70% of the population practicing Christianity so is it important to have modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knee length shorts. It is good to have a balance between work and being able to explore Ghana. You can take the taxi’s to the city of Osu which is a downtown area with vendors, restaurants, and music. There is also the History Museum of Ghana, the city of Tema, Cape Coast, reggae night, the markets, and plenty more.
Overall, my trip to Ghana has been a positive learning experience that has helped me grow as a person and made me aware of how fortunate me and many people are in developed countries. It has truly opened my eyes to the beauty and culture of “Mama Africa.”
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