The rate of HIV/AIDS patients is increasing daily in Ghana, and Africa as a whole. In 2002, there was a record of 2.4 million deaths, leaving HIV/AIDS infection as one of the leading killers in the entire continent. While there have been initiatives and programs launched to prevent the spread of the infection, numbers continue to rise.
Volunteers working with Ghana’s HIV/AIDS Prevention and Counselling Program will assist those who live with this infection. Volunteers will help to redress any of the stigma felt by other people excluding HIV/AIDS patients. There are many education initiatives to provide information on the transmission of HIV/AIDS as well as measures of prevention. This program especially focuses on coaching those who have been infected. This program works to distribute information on reproductive health as well as the causes, effects, and means of avoiding contracting HIV/AIDS.
OGVO assists with advancing adolescent knowledge of reproductive health and preventing HIV/AIDS. We focus on these goals through supervised discussions with the local community and youth who are both within and outside of schools. We also work with antenatal clinics.
We are looking for volunteers who can show a high degree of love and care towards those who are infected. This will help to increase their self-esteem and self-worth. Volunteers will be role models and mentors to a wide population including adolescents and children who have contracted this illness through parents.
Volunteer Roles:
Volunteers assisting with those who have contracted HIV/AIDS will perform some of these activities:
• Working closely with infected kids and adults living with HIV/AIDS
• Working with hospitals and clinics to create education seminars for those who are afflicted
• Boost the moods and emotions of those living with HIV/AIDS
• Find studies and research initiatives for those who have been infected in order to prevent the spread of the illness through ignorance
• Volunteers should also involve themselves with organisations that work with the infected population in order to provide recreational and educational programs.
Highlights
- HIV/AIDS volunteer work placement in Ghana
- Work with infected populations and those who are at risk
- Improve the day-to-day lives of those living with HIV/AIDS
- Learn how to launch and conduct educational outreach initiatives
Qualifications
There are no special qualifications needed for a person volunteer with HIV/AIDS patients but the key is to have love and care for infected persons and to have a willingness to share their time and space. Use compassion with patience and flexibility.
Location of OGVO Volunteer/Intern Programs
We have volunteer and intern work placements in both urban and rural areas in Ghana including Accra, Koforidua, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Kwamoso, Salt Pond,Swedru,Tepa, Boaben-Fiema, Bibiani, Boako, Wassa Akropong, Wale Wale, Mampong, Asafo, Buduburam, and many more.
Start Dates and Durations
We pride ourselves for our flexibility. Volunteers or interns can arrive any day of the year with advanced notice. You can volunteer or intern for periods of 1 week to 6 months. Extension can be arranged with advanced notice as well.
OGVO Program Prices
Our fees are extremely affordable as compare to other organisations. Our program fee starts as small as US $250. Program fees mainly help us cover the variable costs, such as food, accommodation, airport pick-up, placement, program orientation, etc. Program fees vary according to the length of your program. To see program fees and what it covers, please click here.
ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation with a Ghana home-stay family is included. Rooms are private and have all the basic furnishings you could expect, including running water, electricity & clean bathrooms. The home-stay families have been specially chosen by OGVO and have hosted many volunteers over the course of several years. Our home-stay families form some of the most memorable parts of Volunteer/Intern Programs and provide amazing insight into traditional Ghana life, as well as creating friendships that last a lifetime.
MEALS
Three meals a day are provided by the home-stay families and consist mainly of traditional Ghanaian meals with some flexibility for home comforts when available. If you have special eating needs, you can indicate that while applying. Even though special eating needs are not something we can guarantee, we will do our best to meet your needs.
Working days and hours
You will work 5 days a week, leaving you two free days (Saturday & Sunday) to explore the area. You'll work around 4 to 9 hours per day.
FREE TIME
During weekends Volunteers/Interns have the opportunity to visit all that Ghana has to offer. Weekend trips available include visits to Mole National Park in the Northern Region of Ghana. This National Park offers a great Safari-like experience and is one of the biggest Elephant Sanctuaries in Africa with the chance to spot Lions, Leopards & Antelopes in their natural habitat.
Volunteers can also take a trip to Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana to relax in the beautiful beaches and see the famous Cape Coast castle, the Kakum Canopy walkway and Elmina castle, where slave trade begun.
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