Unlock a world of possibilities with Pro-Passion Projects (PPP). Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section is here to guide you through every aspect of your journey, providing clarity and insights on volunteering, internships, and community development. Explore the information you need to embark on a purposeful adventure with Pro-Passion Projects.
Our mission is to provide a platform for foreign and local interns to engage in volunteer work that benefits the environment and society as a whole, all while developing valuable skills and gaining cross-cultural experiences.
At Pro-Passion Projects Ghana, we are driven by a bold and inspiring vision for a world where volunteering is accessible, impactful, and empowering for all.
We strive to create meaningful opportunities for local and international individuals to serve their passions through volunteering services, while promoting volunteerism and community engagement throughout Ghana.
Our vision extends beyond simply providing affordable internship and volunteering services - we aim to create a charitable purpose that benefits the local community by involving institutions and organizations with volunteers for their charitable business.
The goal of Pro-Passion Projects is to provide affordable internship and volunteering services that make a positive impact in Ghanaian communities.
Our aim is to promote volunteerism, community engagement, and sustainable community development. We seeks to inspire and empower volunteers from around the world to engage in meaningful projects addressing critical issues such as health, water, food security, energy, and climate change.
Pro-Passion Projects is registered and operates in Ghana.
Childcare, Teaching English, Teaching Maths and Science, Teaching IT/ICT, Law/Human Rights, Social work, Journalism, Veterinary, Medical, Public health, Conservation, Climate Change, Youth Empowerment, Women Empowerment, Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Football, Basketball, Building, Farming and Tourism
You do not need any professional or educational requirement or skills to volunteer with Pro-Passion Projects. English is the national language in Ghana, almost everyone understand or speak basic English language. Any passionate person 16years+ who have the passion of volunteering in a project of your interest and goal.
Our projects are flexible and it is run throughout the year. Project/s duration is from 0ne week to 24 weeks.
With Pro-Passion, you volunteer for free. Pay for accommodation only. Accommodation cost for a week is 250 GBP (includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and room cleaning). Other Projects like medical, public health, veterinary, journalism, law/human rights comes with a placement cost.
We provide all this services for free…
….Pre-departure support, airport pick-up, accommodation (breakfast, lunch dinner), orientation/induction, placement support, 24/7 staff support, tax, social activities including Accra tour, community support, airport departure support, certificate of completion and reference letter.
Accommodation is host family based. Volunteers stay with local experience host family. The host provide 3 meals a day including room cleaning.
Information about Pro-Passion Projects safety protocols, including health and risk assessment, emergency response plans and support in case of unforeseen situations can be seen on our Website.
Please check that your phone can receive a SIM card from other countries before leaving home. When you arrive in Ghana, you will have a chance to buy a local SIM card and be shown how to purchase phone credit and data. If your phone cannot receive a local SIM card, I would recommend getting a cheap phone in Ghana; our staff will assist you with this on the first day. You can use data on your phone to go online or use an internet café (you will be shown to these on your induction day).
There is not much wifi in Ghana. You can bring a laptop if it is needed for project purposes, but it can be a bit tricky to travel with and you may not get a lot of use out of it outside of your project.
It is difficult (if not impossible) to get Ghana Cedis outside of Ghana, so it is advised to bring some cash to change when you get here. There are two methods of accessing cash here in Ghana: You can bring cash money in forms of Euros, Pounds or Dollar. You will have the chance to change any into Cedis during your induction day at an 'exchange bureau', with the help of a staff member. Visa or MasterCard credit cards or Debit cards can be used to withdraw cash at most ATMs in Ghana. A debit card will also work as long as it has the Plus symbol on the back. Please ensure you inform your bank of the dates that you will be traveling to Ghana so that they do not block your card when you are here.
This is a very difficult question to answer as each volunteer spends a different amount depending on their life-style. Of course all your meals when you are staying at your host family are covered so during the week you should only need a small amount of cash for transport and any additional snacks/drinks you may wish to purchase (probably not more than 150 Ghanaian cedis per day).
To enter Ghana you will need to show proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination. For any other vaccination please consult with your General Practicioner, Travel Nurse or Travel Clinic.
Most homes in Ghana use the standard 3 pronged UK plug.
No you cannot drink the water from the tap but bottled or sachet water is provided by the host family, you will brush your teeth with this too.
As it is very hot in Ghana most people don’t sleep with a blanket. Your host family will provide you with a bottom sheet and pillow. If you are someone who feels they need the security of sleeping on their own blanket then I would advise you to bring a thin sheet, thin blanket or a thin sleeping bag liner.
This doesn’t make any difference, it is a personal preference. It will be very useful to bring a small backpack for your lunch and shopping at the market or sightseeing or weekend trips.
Depending on your location it may or may not be possible to jog. Please do bear in mind that the roads are very bad, often with no footpath, open drains and large pot holes and the traffic is also very bad. Perhaps when you arrive you may find somewhere suitable in your local area but please do prepared for the situation where this may not be possible.
The weather in Ghana is very tropical. It can be very warm in the day and in the night. The coolest time of the year is between June and September when most of the rain occurs. At this time you can bring a light rain jacket but remember it will still be very hot! The average daily temperature ranges from 20 – 30 degrees Celsius.
This is when you will stand in the shower and use a bucket full of water to wet your body, wash and to rinse off, it becomes quite easy after the first try. It is often cold water but warm water can also be arranged.
Toilets are often western style but you will need to pour water down in order for it to flush.
You should also put any paper and sanitary items in a bin next to the toilet. Your host family will explain in detail when you arrive.
Ghanaians eat a lot of goat, chicken, fish and fresh fruit. They also eat lots of rice, breads and starches. Spicy stews are very popular as well as fried plantain. Many of the host families do make Western foods like pancakes, French toast and omelettes etc. They also eat peanut butter which seems to be very popular. Milk is usually powdered milk or box milk and is not often cold.
It is our policy to try and ensure that all volunteers share accommodation with other volunteers. However, sometimes due to circumstances outside of our control (e.g. a late cancellation or date change) we cannot guarantee this.
Time off in Ghana Pro-Passion Projects will normally organise at least one social event per week. This is in the form of a “dirty day”, where you will get your hands dirty in an activity to benefit the local community in some way. This may be helping in the renovation or painting of a school/orphanage/community building, taking part in a litter clean up, planting a vegetable garden. You will be notified of additional events, such as drumming lessons, cookery classes and football matches, by word of mouth, Watsap and sometimes text message.
There are many great places to visit, the local team will gladly give you suggestions once you are in Ghana. If you only have two weeks, you may decide just to travel within Ghana. There is a great deal to see here and a circular tour could take in the Volta Region, Tamale, Mole National Park, Kumasi, Takoradi area and Elmina/Cape Coast.
If you have longer, or are feeling particularly adventurous, you may decide to take in some of the neighbouring countries; Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin are all within easy reach using overland travel. Mali is also accessible if you have the time. Taking in the sights and sounds of these countries would be an amazing addition to your trip to West Africa, but make sure you plan your trip so you do not spend most of your time on buses with very little time to see anything en-route.
Your host family will provide facilities for washing your clothes (most likely hand washing). Sometimes you can arrange for the host family to do your washing for a minimal fee. This must be arranged between yourself and the family. You could also buy your own washing powder and hand wash them yourself.
It is not obligatory or expected for you to bring a gift for your host family but many volunteers do. You could take something like chocolates or sweets from your home country or anything small to encourage a cultural exchange
All clothing should be respectful. Please don’t wear clothes that are too tight, revealing or have offensive slogans. Underwear should never be on display and please ensure your cleavage and midriff are covered up. Always keep your shoulders covered down to the knees. Even outside of project hours I advise that you adhere to this guideline as to not draw negative attention to yourself. You should never wear flipflops to your placement but these are fine during your free time. Closed comfortable shoes are very important for a medical project.
As long as you don’t wear a very revealing outfit, a decent two piece costume with a swim shorts should be fine for the beach.
Medical – any disposables that are easy to travel with – gloves, gauze, bandage etc. Teaching & Childcare – books written in English, colouring books, stickers, coloured paper, crayons, paper toys, bubbles etc. (anything for arts & crafts).
Alternatively you can wait until you get there and see what is needed. Volunteers will often group their money together and donate some supplies locally.
If you're interested in supporting Pro-Passion Projects' charity and community development work through a donation, please follow these steps:
Visit the Pro-Passion Projects Website:
If you encounter any challenges or have specific questions about the donation process, you may reach out to Pro-Passion Projects directly through their contact information provided on their website. Your support will undoubtedly contribute to their charitable endeavors and community development initiatives.
The same rules of common sense apply here as when travelling in any other part of the world. If you follow this advice, you are very unlikely to have any problems in Ghana. Petty, opportunist crime is the greatest risk. Pickpockets can be the worst danger. It is best to just carry the amount of cash you think you will need, and make sure to keep a good eye on any other belongings. If you carry a bag, consider wearing it around your front a backpack can very easily be unzipped or taken in a crowded place without you even realizing. If you have to take your passport, or a credit card, carry them in a money belt around your waist, under your clothes. At other times, itis perfectly safe to carry a bag around with you.
If you require medical attention or in case of emergency, always call Pro-Passion Projects local staff first - we are available 24 hours a day in case of emergency. If you need to seek medical attention yourself, you can try the following options: - Please remember to keep all your receipts for your insurance claim
Minor problems within your accommodation or placements are often best dealt with by politely addressing the people involved. You will be introduced to the Supervisor when you are first taken to your placement, and you should talk to this person about any concerns you have with work. We are happy to get involved if talking to the people involved directly does not yield results. If you have a problem or complaint that is critical of the accommodation, placement or institution or you don't feel comfortable discussing it directly, it is best to talk to Pro-Passion Projects staff first.
A change of environment, climate, food and lifestyle often results in minor, and occasionally more serious illness.
The following notes are things you should be aware of during your time in Ghana:
Please note that in the first week or two, when adapting to the new environment, it’s quite normal to feel tired, maybe get headaches, diarrhea, stomach pains etc due to the change of diet and change of temperature. Water: Tap water in Ghana is not safe to drink, but your host family will provide you with ample drinking water (please let us know if this is not the case). Water that has been boiled for several minutes is usually safe, as is commercially produced bottled water. ‘Pure water’ is available in 500ml sachets almost everywhere and is also safe, if a little less tasty than bottled spring water. Do not confuse with ‘Iced water’ available in sachets with no writing on, as this is simply cold tap water and may be contaminated. Dehydration: The sun in Ghana can be strong, and temperatures are often in the high 30s Celsius/high 90s Fahrenheit. This means that you will lose far more water through perspiration than you would in a cooler climate, and dehydration is a real risk. Hot and dry conditions are the most dangerous, as you will sweat a great deal without realising you are doing so. Obvious symptoms of dehydration are: not needing to urinate or dark coloured urine (this should be seen as a danger sign in hot climates), feeling faint, tiredness, headaches, feeling sick and lack of coordination. It can come on quickly without you realising that you are getting dehydrated, and can develop into a very serious condition within hours if not treated. Treatment for mild dehydration is simply to drink lots of water, ideally mixed with re-hydrating salts.
A carbonated drink such as lemonade that has been left to go flat is an effective re-hydrating fluid when specially prepared salts are not available. More serious dehydration requires medical attention, and intravenous fluid supply.
The biggest risk of dehydration is when you are ill; diarrhea, vomiting and excessive sweating will all mean that you lose water very rapidly. When feeling unwell you may not feel like drinking a lot.
For this reason, what would otherwise have been a relatively minor sickness often ends up requiring hospitalisation to replace lost fluids through an IV drip. The simple answer is to make yourself to drink plenty of water as often as possible when you are feeling ill. Malaria: This serious disease is endemic to much of West Africa, and Ghana is considered high-risk. Every year we have a significant number of volunteers who contract malaria, but taking sensible precautions will minimise the risk. It is sensible to apply mosquito repellent (preferably DEET-based) to all exposed areas of skin in the evenings. Sitting in a spot bar for the evening wearing sandals, shorts and a sleeveless top can be enjoyable, but will put you at high risk.
Doctors in Europe and America usually recommend taking a course of prophylactic drugs while you are in Ghana, and volunteers are usually advised to take either doxycycline, larium (mefloquine) or malerone.
There is little doubt that these do help (they can reduce the severity of the disease if you do contract it), but they are not a substitute for avoiding mosquito bites. If you suspect you have contracted malaria, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible to obtain a test (a finger-prick blood test) and, if you are infected, to obtain treatment. If detected early, the illness will be shorter and the symptoms much less severe. Many children in orphanages and hospitals carry head lice.
Wearing your hair tied back or hidden under a headscarf can help prevent catching head lice. Medicated shampoo is available in Oxford Street, Accra and Junction mall and supermarkets in Accra, and pharmacies throughout the regions.
In an emergency, your first priority should be to ensure your own safety and that of other people. Your second priority should be to contact Pro-Passion Projects staff. Pro-Passion projects staff are here to help you, but we can only do so if we know that you are in trouble. Please notify us as soon as possible if you require medical treatment or have been the victim of crime. In medical emergencies we can help you to get good treatment quickly. If you are the victim of crime we will assist you in getting a police report so that you can make an insurance claim. Ghana does not have an effective national ambulance service, and police response time can be slow if they are contacted by telephone.
Calling police or ambulance emergency numbers can therefore waste a lot of time; you are better off making your way to a hospital or police station by taxi or other means. If you have been in an accident or have been attacked, and cannot call us, show someone your volunteer ID card; ask them to call us using the numbers on the back. Once we know what has happened we can advise you on the best action to take and offer assistance. It is impossible to cover every possible emergency in this Welcome Pack, but we have trained staff who will know what to do if you contact them. –
Local public transport in Ghana does not live up to the same standards that are expected in more developed countries. Vehicles are often in a poor state of repair, and seatbelts are often hard to come by. Whilst using public transport will be unavoidable during your stay in Ghana, we advise volunteers to exercise caution and ask our local team of staff for advice on the best modes of transport to use for their daily journeys. Types of Transport Tro-tro: Tro-tros are privately-operated minibuses that travel on fixed routes. The advantage of tro-tros is that they are cheap and they go almost anywhere. The disadvantage is that they are uncomfortable, crowded, often breakdown and can be dangerous. A great many road accidents are caused by tro-tros due to incompetent driving and very poorly maintained vehicles. Some places can only be reached by this method, but we recommend that you avoid tro-tros on long journeys and especially at night (some do not even have headlights).
Bus: STC buses link the major towns in Ghana with varying frequency. They break down from time to time, and can be crowded, but they generally run on time and are probably the safest road transport available (most are reasonably well-maintained Mercedes coaches with air-conditioning). STC is a good option for travelling between cities and big towns, such as Accra to Kumasi or Tamale. There is a service from Accra to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, taking approximately 24 hours to make the journey.
Line taxis: These are taxis that operate fixed routes with up to four passengers each paying a set fare. They operate much like tro-tros. They are marginally more expensive but tend to be a bit safer and are usually more comfortable. Drop taxis: These are what you would normally think of when you hear the word taxi: a car that will take you where you want to go for a price. Be aware that you should always bargain for a fair price and agree on that price before you get in to the taxi.
Drop taxis are the safest way to travel at night time. Boat: There is a passenger ferry service on Lake Volta from Akosombo to Makongo, stopping at Kete Krachi and Yeji on the way, and this can be an exciting, if somewhat slow, way to do part of your journey. Please note that at the time of writing the ferry only leaves Akosombo on a Monday. You should book in advance if you would like a sleeper cabin. Tip: Most Ghanaians refer to all road transport as Cars, whether it is a tro-tro or taxi. Transport Costs Most short tro-tro journeys cost from 60 GH pesewas to 5 GH cedis. Line taxi journeys are generally between 5 and 8 GH cedis A drop taxi from the main areas in each region that you are likely to visit at night back to your host family is rarely more than 9 GH cedis (depending on region). Transport Tips; Bargaining & Safety Taxis are relatively cheap but you will usually have to bargain hard to get a good price. You must always agree a price before you sit down. The price will be decided through a process of bargaining. The driver will suggest a high price, you should follow with a low one, and through light-hearted discussion you should be able to reach a fair fare! Once the price has been agreed and you have begun your journey you should politely ignore the driver if he attempts to re-negotiate. Remember that after dark it is better to take a taxi, especially if you are female and travelling alone. This is because a taxi will drop you at your door whereas a tro-tro or line taxi will drop you at a main intersection and you will have to walk the rest of the way.
This information will depend on your specific placement and accommodation details which will be confirmed one month before your project starts. Your local coordinator will show you how to get to your placement on your induction day, we normally try to place volunteers within walking distance or just a short public transportation ride from home.
If you are with someone who is eating they are likely to invite you to share it with them. In this Ghanaian people are very keen to share food at meal times and being offered water or food when you visit situation or when visiting someone’s home, it is polite to take a little something by way of thanks or say Thank You instead of No, Thank You if you intend to decline the offer. Equally, saying "You are invited" if you have company when you eat is polite.
Be careful never to use your left hand to greet people, give or receive anything or to eat it is reserved for bathroom use! If you need to beckon someone over to you, use your whole hand with your palm facing downwards. Hissing is not considered rude. Ghanaians will hiss in a restaurant to get the waiters attention and they will hiss at you in the street if they wish to get your attention to welcome you to Ghana! Physical contact between same sex friends is common; you will often see young men holding hands. Bear in mind though that homosexuality is frowned upon (and illegal). If you want to ask someone a question, directions in the street for example, then you must be sure to greet them first before you ask for their help. When buying things or chartering a drop taxi you will have to barter for a good price. Some may start very high with their first price. Do not become angry at this; it is merely the beginning of the discussion. You should smile, make conversation and keep things light-hearted until you agree an appropriate price. On arrival in a village in Ghana, whether in the search for accommodation or for sight-seeing, it is customary to visit the local chief first. You should present him with a small gift, such as a bottle of schnapps, and you must remove your hat if wearing one.
In the south of the country, where our volunteer placements are located, Christianity is the dominant religion and dominant it is! You do not have to walk far without seeing a small business with a name like By His Grace Beauty Salon or Jesus Lives Light Engineering Works. The Church, whichever one of many denominations you choose, is very important to most Ghanaians. Sunday services last anything from two to five hours, and people go to great trouble in dressing up for the occasion. Much of the north of the country is predominantly Muslim, and many villages have Mosques built from mud (one of the most famous of these is in the village of Larabanga in Northern Region). Although in most areas traditional beliefs and worship of ancestors have been replaced by Christianity or Islam, all religion still has a distinctly African feel to it.
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