Our Volunteers

Without volunteers there would be no ARA. It is thanks to the 40-50 volunteers, who come to work in a Ghana every year, that we are able to continue functioning. Our prime responsibility is to them and we take this responsibility seriously. Our staffs are in the entire region where we work; who are dedicated to providing the services, guidance and support that ensure our volunteers' experience is as hassle-free as possible.

The vast majority of our volunteers live with local host families for the duration of their projects. However, ARA also provides accommodation for those volunteers who will like to stay in ARA hostel were they could also meet other international volunteers and make friends and exchange ideas. Read more on ARA Hostel

Host-Families

We normally place our volunteers in local host-families. This provides these families with a regular income - we always pay above the market rate - and this enables them to afford additional benefits, such as extended education for their children or better access to healthcare. It also develops cultural understanding - on both sides - but perhaps most importantly for our younger volunteers: perhaps the experiences they have today will help to shape their attitudes when they become the opinion-formers of tomorrow.

The people who host interns are of all kinds. Couples with or without children, joint families, single parents, single people etc. Host families provide accommodation, food, emotional and moral support, and guidance for the exchanges (interns). A routine day in a host family is the behind-the-screen-look into the culture of the hosting country and gives a large insight into the customs of a family; an experience like no other can give to one who wants to learn about another culture.

Not only learning but also understanding why the culture is like the way it is. Host families help the exchanges (interns) to interact with the local community, which increases their chances of making friends and contacts. Members of the host family play an important role in guiding the exchanges (interns) in their everyday life during the exchange term, as they will be the first ones to whom the exchanges would ask questions. Host families expect the exchanges (interns) to follow the house rules, duties and live exactly like any other member of the home or household. Also it is expected that exchanges (interns) be treated in the same way as any other member of the family.

A Ghanaian host family requires that the volunteer who live in their home should be willing to become part of his/her host family with the same rights, that he/she should be prepared to help with the daily household chores (clean his/her room, help to prepare meals or to clean the dishes etc.)

Partner organisations

ARA runs its own projects, but we still have a lot of projects with external partners. The Two principles govern our relationship with partner organisations in Ghana where our volunteers work. The first is that we never replace local employment with volunteering; volunteering organisations that send people to developing countries for long periods run the risk of taking over local jobs; we never do this. Our second principle is that we always ensure that there is no financial cost - or any other outlay - by local partner organisations.

ARA makes a number of donations to our partner organisations but does not make regular payments because this could compromise the long-term running of these organisations; it is vital that they remain financially independent. Donations can take many forms, from basic materials like school books and pens etc. Recently we made a large contribution to the State Maternity Hospital in Koforidua, where we have placed volunteers now for a number of years; this hospital is incredibly important to the expectant mothers of Ghana. In the end, however, our relationship with our partners is not primarily financial, although we recognise the importance of finance; we are there to help with volunteers.