Kaya Health Care Volunteering Projects in Ghana

  Ghana

• Other Cities in Ghana: 
Cape Coast

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: The first Saturday of every month

Description: Whether you are a student, on a career break or retired there is a placement to suit your level. Those entering the medical profession will find volunteering in a developing country invaluable and inspiring. You will see what it is like not to have top level facilities and equipment available to you. Placements available range from hospitals, rural field clinics, house visits, nutrition, health education and public health research.

Public Health Education in Ghana

Bring much-needed health awareness and knowledge to communities who suffer poverty and ill health as a result of a lack of education. The project helps to serve the communities around Cape Coast through research, prevention and education. Leading public health issues include malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition and poor sanitary conditions. The project aims to reduce these diseases through prevention, education, and effective outreach efforts in rural communities.

Clinical Medical Placements in Ghana

Work in town hospitals in the Cape Coast, supporting doctors and nurses as they care for low-income patients. Level of work will vary and tasks may include basic assistance and observational work, triage tasks, taking vitals, anthropometric measurements, taking blood and possibly minor surgical procedures, depending on the volunteer's skill level. Volunteers will have the chance to observe various departments within the hospital. Due to the nature of many of the diseases there is a large emphasis on preventative education in relation to family planning and sex education as well as malaria and illnesses related to dysentery. This will be a rare chance for you to see these types of diseases and their treatment.

Community Health Outreach in Ghana

This community outreach project has only a handful of staff and a few volunteers to treat and educate the community on the realities of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Since many of the community members have become victims of these deadly diseases, the project has been working hard to teach methods of prevention. The project also spends time assisting in the local hospital taking care of patients. Volunteers also visit orphanages and mother-and-child centers to help with minor injuries, deworming of children and to give basic check-ups for problems large and small.

Highlights: Ghana, a developing country on the west coast of Africa, lies a few degrees north of the equator and is considered the country closest to the center of the world. Ghana has a fantastically diverse landscape with hundreds of miles of beaches, rain forests, mountains and the largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Volta. Thanks to its amazing wildlife, beautiful scenery and welcoming population, Ghana is becoming more and more popular among adventure travelers and world explorers. Nature lovers will appreciate the beautiful palm-fringed beaches and lush national parks along the Gold Coast, most notably the Kakum National Park.

Safari in Ghana:
Compared to the likes of Kenya or Namibia, Ghana is lesser known for its wildlife safari, but its diversity of species is no less impressive. It has 16 National Parks and several natural reserves and protected areas, comprised of varied ranges of habitat. These include wetland lagoons, salt pans along the Gold Coast and tropical guinea rain forest. Ghana is home to about 99 species of mammals including the largest land mammal, the African Elephant; there's also the hippopotamus, lion, leopard, hyena, chimpanzee, baboon, buffalo, antelope, 7 species of monkey, and much more. One can also spot about 750 species of birds in Ghana.

Wli Waterfalls:
Wli, the highest waterfall in western Africa, is one of Ghana's most unforgettable sights. First admire the sheer grandeur of the fall itself - the spectacular white water of the Agumatsa River thundering over 60 meters down steep cliffs into a large pool below. Second are the massive mountain formations comprised of soaring peaks and rock walls, which are part of the Akwapim-Togo Mountains.

Surfing in Ghana:
Due to the Southern ocean swells that hit the Western coastline of Ghana, surfers can find some of the cleanest, most orderly and thus rider-friendly waves on earth. The combination of perfect waves, warm water and no crowds, as well as the endless activities to see and do in and around the picturesque fishing village of Busua, creates the ideal place to learn how to surf.

Browse through the fishing villages and traditional market towns that dot the coastline, and don't forget to bring your camera to snap pictures of the Winneba fishing fleets and the Mankessim Posuban shrine. This English-speaking country provides volunteers with a wonderful introduction to Africa; it is politically stable, safe, affordable and characterized by its warm friendly people.

Qualifications: Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range: Must be more than 18 years old

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ghana Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement: Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded: 2008