The volunteers in Ghana are very fortunate as they have the opportunity to live with a local family within close proximity of the volunteer project location. Getting to experience cultural immersion within a Ghanaian family makes one’s stay in Ghana uniquely memorable. The family will be on hand to help you and also show you around the local area. Ghana-volunteers strives to provide best of the living and other arrangements to its volunteers.
Accommodation
All accommodation is checked regularly by our staff. Accommodation is only accepted if it is clean, hygienic, and comfortable. We strive to have at least one member of the family be able to speak basic English, and the family will understand GHVs aims. They must also be interested in having an English speaker to stay. Detailed records are kept of every host family, and these are updated after inspection visits. Checks are made before and during volunteers’ stays.
Ghanaian host family requires that the volunteer who live in their home should be willing to become part of his/her host family with the same rights, that he/she should be prepared to help with the daily household chores (clean his/her room, help to prepare meals or to clean the dishes etc.) We also expect all the volunteers to make an honest effort to share the daily life of the family he/she is living with. The volunteer is required to participate in family activities, show interest in the family functions and activities, help in the kitchen and play with the children. Some family functions could include attending church services, funerals, weddings, naming ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, etc.
Accommodation is either provided in an individual or shared room along with other volunteer. By staying with a family you will experience the local Ghanaian culture, language customs and traditions from the first hand. Participants should note that living is of basic standard and you should not expect luxuries. Power cuts are common in Ghana and most rural houses do not have running water during times of drought. Bedding is provided, however, volunteers need to bring their own towels and mosquito nets (these can also be purchased in Ghana).
Meals
The host family provide breakfast and dinner (or all three meals if you are at your accommodation during weekends). At lunch breaks on working days, you can sample local cuisine at modestly priced cafes and restaurants. The cuisine is flavorsome; if simple. The best known Ghanaian staple is fufu, which consists of a basic starchy ingredient such as cassava, yam, plantain or rice. You may also be served different types of stew, be it fish, chicken or vegetable. Fried plantain is another popular local dish. Volunteers are provided with 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) at the host family house. Ghanaian cuisine consists primarily of starches, soups, beans, meat, and fish. The Starches consist mainly of rice and doughy balls made from mashed cassava, plantain or yams. Famous Ghanaian dishes include Banku and Fufu.
During your Free Time
On the weekends you can head out to explore places such as Mole National Park and Monkey Sanctuary. Volunteers also visit Paga to visit Crocodile Park or further south to Cape Coast to enjoy the beaches. On weekdays, participants have free time in the evenings and spend time relaxing at their accommodation or socializing with other volunteers and the local people.
