We have put together a detailed selection of FAQs.
FAQ Categories
- Choosing the right placement
- The application process
- Getting ready to travel
- The visa application
- Payment
- Arrival
- Health & Safety
- What to bring
- Living conditions
- About Ikando
1.
Choosing the right placement
What can I do during an Ikando Placement ?
Simply, anything. Whether you are looking to develop professional skills or to learn new ones, we can help. Check out our current placements available and if nothing suits, email us at info@ikando.org and we will complete research to find an organisation that needs your expertise and help.
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What are the necessary requirements to be an Ikando volunteer?
You must:
- Be 18 or over
- Have fully completed and returned to Ikando the Volunteer Application Form.
- Have sent us your up to date CV (resume).
- Have provided us a personal or professional reference given by an employer, teacher, lawyer or doctor. This reference must include detail of the context in which the referee knows you, verifying your CV and stating that he/she knows of no reason why you should not volunteer. The referee should also provide their contact details in order that Ikando can contact them prior to your departure to confirm the reference given. This reference should be emailed by the referee to us.
- Have made full payment 60 days prior to departure
- Have read our terms & conditions
- Have provided Ikando with photocopies of your travel and medical insurance certificates
- Have provided a photocopy of the back page of your passport (just in case these documents are mislaid during travel).
- Have sent us information on your travel arrangements (flight number, airline, arrival and departure time and dates). We always recommend volunteers who book via the web to email us their booking.
- Have provided Ikando with all other required documentation two weeks before arrival.
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Can I take 'Time Out' to travel whilst volunteering?
Yes, on negotiation with your host organisation. At a minimum they will plan for you to have weekends free but if you would like longer, for example, one week off in four to travel, then you will need to notify Ikando on application or discuss with your Ikando co-ordinator when in placement. Please note that you will need to cover the costs of all travel additional to your placement, and must ensure your return at the time and date agreed with your named contact within the host organisation. Ikando will happily give advice on traveling within Ghana BUT please note, Ikando when traveling independently of your placement you do so at your own risk.
We greatly appreciate it if volunteers let us know where they are going on their road trips.
Some placements may require you to be present on weekends.
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Is this for me?
Are you open minded, looking to change your wallpaper and ready to work to make positive change happen? Then this is for you. Our only requirement is that you are over 18 years of age.
Please do think carefully about embarking on a volunteer adventure though, living and working conditions will not be what you are used to and you will need to prepare yourself for this. Just take a minute to imagine what it means to live and work in a developing country. Will you be able to cope without running water and electricity? How will you deal with people totally different from yourself?
We strongly advise people to do as much research as possible before signing up to a volunteer placement.
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What can I expect from an Ikando placement?
A life enriching experience that will open your horizons, personally and we hope professionally. With Ikando you can expect a quick response to your queries, a detailed application process resulting in a volunteer placement with an organisation that needs you and that you will want to work for.
When you arrive, you will be met at the airport by an Ikando member of staff who will take you to your accommodation. You will be given 24-hour contact details for your Ikando in-country coordinator your contact within the host organisation and for the nearest 24 hour medical care. Our objective is for a placement that brings out the best in you, so if there are any concerns at any time, our in-country members of staff will be happy to help you 24/7.
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I want to volunteer as a teacher – do I need to be a qualified teacher to be able to volunteer as one?
It all depends on the requirements of the school you are applying to. Ideally most schools will require you to have some experience working with children or have a background in the subject area. For more information please see the individual placement pages.
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Can I choose my own dates?
Yes you are completely free to choose your own dates. All we need to know are how many weeks you would like to volunteer for and which date you would like to start.
Please be aware that you can only select whole weeks (not 3.5 weeks for example). The organisation you are applying to will have to approve your dates as they have to make sure they will be operational during that time.
Please ensure you arrive on a weekday to avoid having to pay an additional surcharge for a weekend pick up.
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I am a research student. Can you help me?
Yes, we are very happy to welcome all research students. We can help with finding you the people and organisations to talk to, the accommodation, support network, the necessary university administration, pre-travel arrangements and a letter confirming your research status for your visa application.
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How much help will I be able to give and what will the impact be?
It all depends on the placement, the duration of your placement and most importantly your attitude. You will achieve most if you are realistic about the possibilities and have researched what it means to work in a developing country.
As things move a lot slower in Ghana you have to be realistic what you can achieve. You won't be able to change the world, but you can make significant impact on some people's lives.
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Can I talk to a previous volunteer about their experience?
Yes you can. Please email us to request their email addresses. There are also a few blogs online from previous volunteers detailing their volunteer experience.
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Can I call Ikando to discuss my placement options?
To keep our costs down we would prefer it if you emailed us. Should you really need to talk to us please request a call back by emailing us your telephone number.
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What's special about Ikando?
Ikando is not like most other volunteer organisations in two important ways:
- We only recruit volunteers for organisations in Ghana. Why? This allows us to know the country inside and out and as such we can meet your needs better. Our wide range of placements is an indication of how well known we are in Ghana. From USAID projects to organisations on the refugee settlement Ikando can find you a placement of interest to you.
It also means that our main office is based in Ghana. Unlike most volunteer organisations we don't just have one member of staff in country. We have seven members of staff who are there to ensure you have a great experience.
- We do not recruit for our own projects but for organisations independent of Ikando. This means that our volunteers work for genuine projects in Ghana.
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Couldn't find your answer in our FAQ category Choosing the right placement? Please browse through our other categories listed below for the answer to your question.
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