How we volunteer ethically in Ghana

Volunteering abroad can do a lot of good, or it can do quiet harm. Here is how we make sure our volunteers in Ghana leave every school stronger, and every child safer, than they found it.

Our partner schools are in Mepe and Dadome, in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region. Mepe is my mother's hometown. These are not "project sites" to us. They are family, so we hold ourselves to a high standard.

1. The schools choose the projects

We serve with communities, not for them. Teachers, parents and community leaders tell us what they need, and we listen first. Every volunteer team works on projects our partner schools choose, from classroom repairs to the STEAM/ICT Lab at Dadome DA Basic School.

2. Every volunteer completes orientation first

Before anyone serves, they complete our free 30-minute online orientation: six short modules on our mission, how we work, keeping children safe, photos and stories, cultural respect, and their role. Then we meet live to answer questions.

3. Children's safety comes before everything

Our safeguarding rules are simple, and they are not optional:

• Stay where other adults can see you. Avoid being alone with one child.
• Keep touch appropriate: high fives, not hugs a child didn't ask for.
• Never share your personal phone number or social media with a child.
• If a child says they are hurt or unsafe, listen calmly, don't promise secrecy, and tell your lead right away.
• Volunteers who work with children may be asked to complete a background check.

4. Gifts go through the foundation

It's natural to want to give a child something special. But a gift to one child can create jealousy, pressure on families, and an unhealthy idea of who visitors are. So all gifts and money go through the foundation, never to one child directly. That way they reach the whole school, fairly, and where the need is greatest.

5. Photos with dignity

We ask before taking a photo, and we respect a "no". We never post a child's full name, school or location with their photo. We show children learning, playing and leading, never as objects of pity. Volunteers send their best photos to our team, and we share them through our official channels.

6. We come to learn as much as to give

Greetings matter in Ghana, so we greet first and start work second. We dress modestly at schools, use the right hand to give and receive, and learn a few words of Ewe. Woezor means welcome. Akpe means thank you. You will hear both a lot.

7. We report honestly

We track volunteer hours and results so we can report honestly to families, partners and donors. Every hour counts, and so does every promise. If you can't make a shift, we ask you to tell your lead as early as you can, because kids count on us.

Ready to serve well?

If this is the kind of volunteering you believe in, we'd love to have you. Start with the orientation, then look at our Ghana 2027 volunteer trip or our summer 2027 internships in Ghana. Questions about safety? Read our FAQ or just ask.