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Parental Information
Taking part in a volunteer placement can sometimes be as daunting for parents, as it is for the volunteer. We believe that ensuring that you and your child are as prepared and informed as possible should go a long way to curbing your concerns.
"I am also a parent with grown children, and my son-in-law Paul spent a few weeks with Ikando last year on a first placement, having an awesome experience. I know there are parents of new graduates considering volunteering in Africa, who worry. If someone is considering a placement but is a little uncertain, Ikando is a great and reliable organization in Ghana to consider. " Ralph Stone
Volunteering
Volunteering with Ikando in Ghana is a way for your child to work using his or her skills to improve the lives of people and/organizations in Ghana without financial payment. As such it is not a leisure holiday. Rather, it is an invaluable opportunity to gain experience and insights into the country and its people through work in Ghana.There will of course be free time in the evening and at the weekends, when your child can travel and socialize with colleagues and friends.
Preparation
You may be worried that your child is setting off into “the great unknown”, but just as he or she needs to prepare for the experience, your concerns can be overcome by your reading and becoming informed as much as possible about the volunteer placement and Ghana. Places to look:- Ikando website
- Guidebooks – Bradt Guide, Lonely Planet
- Internet – BBC, etc
- Newspapers – Daily Graphic
You might also encourage your child to pick up a few works of the local language, since this obvious willingness to communicate can often delight the local people your child meets.
Volunteer Accommodation
Ikando accommodation is basic, but spacious and clean. There is running water and electric fans are installed in most rooms.Your child like anyone living in Ghana may experience times when the water and electricity companies cut off supplies for a time. This is often frustrating in a hot, humid climate, but it can teach valuable lessons in scarcity of resources. We do our best to ensure that our accommodation retains stores of water.
None of our accommodations are equipped with television or DVDs, so your child should be resourceful in terms of entertainment. Please click here for more information regarding our accommodation.
Socialising
Our accommodation is offered on a shared basis, which means that your child will meet fellow volunteers. The work will involve your child interacting with local Ghanaians, as well as often with people from many different countries. The experience will therefore bring your child into contact with many different nationalities and experiences. This should be fun, but it is well for your child to be prepared for your child to find it challenging too.Food
In the cities, it is relatively easy to find western-style food. However your child needs to know that it is more expensive.Ghanaian street food is readily available to take away and there are a number of good restaurants that serve local and West African dishes. Some of these are more accessible to the Western palate and our staff is always willing to share their local knowledge to help your child to explore the local cuisine. Indeed Gladys our housekeeper is available to cook local dishes.
Most grocery shops often carry a limited range of produce for the local market, but there are super-markets in central Accra, which sell virtually everything – local produce, European, American, Chinese, Lebanese and Indian food.
Entertainment
Accra has a number of bars and clubs - local and international in style. Furthermore Ikando's volunteers are often invited to events at embassies and cultural organisations such as the British Council and Alliance Francaise. In these cases the dress code will be formal so we suggest that the volunteer packs at least one outfit for such occasions. Homesickness
As positive as the experience of volunteering in Ghana should be, homesickness can set in, so be prepared for your child to experience it. Our in-country team will do everything we can do to support your child during this period.Keeping in touch
Mobile phones and email have transformed telecommunications in Ghana. Local SIMS cards and unit top ups are widely available, and roaming agreements meant that called from and to Ghana is easy. Occasionally there are glitches and coverage may not be perfect and it is well to be aware of that.Internet access is readily available in internet cafes and hotels. Africa's largest ICT centre Busy Internet is located just round the corner from our Accra accommodations. Here your child will be able to access broadband internet.
You could encourage also your child to write a blog, post some photos and share some experiences.
Safety and security
The safety of our volunteers is a top priority for Ikando. Our vetting procedures with local organizations are rigorous and our staff is constantly reviewing placements through volunteer feedback and direct communications with the organisations. We keep an eye out for any country travel warnings for foreign nationals, speak to the embassies in Ghana and the local press, for news of any security issues that might affect our volunteers.Ghana is generally a very peaceful and stable country. In the Global Peace Index it is ranked above both the United Kingdom and the US. It is the perfect introduction for first time volunteers to Africa.
Health
Before traveling to Ghana, your child should consult a suitably qualified medical expert for advice on vaccinations etc while in Ghana.An Anti-Yellow Fever is required and your child should not travel without a certificate of proof of having had that vaccination.
The change of water and food can result in upset stomachs. Bottled water is widely available and our local staff can provide plenty of advice concerning where is safe – and good - to eat locally. While your child should come equipped with medicines to counter diarrhoea, local pharmacies carry remedies and pain- killers that can help to alleviate the problem.
We also have contact lists for the local hospital out-patients department, where visitors are normally treated.
Emergencies
You or your child can contact the Ikando local coordinator in case of any medical or safety emergency, medical or safety, 24/7.Also make sure that your child has the contact details for the local embassy or high commission and airline, these can be found in the welcome pack provided to your child.
