Boomers Abroad

Highlights

Itinerary

Volunteers are responsible for booking their own flights, and should arrive on August 6th. If you can not arrive exactly on August 6th, contact us and we will accommodate an earlier arrival if possible. You must apply, and then register for this program. Following registration, you will be provided with in-depth program information, and pre-departure guidance on flights, insurance, visas, and vaccinations. Please note, exact itinerary is subject to change based on local needs.

Saturday August 6th

Arrive in Accra. Volunteers arrive individually and are greeted at airport by representatives of Adamus and The Humanity Exchange. Volunteers are brought to hotel where the team will spend the evening before departing to Western Region.

Sunday August 7th

The team departs Accra for Western Region. Traveling along Ghana's scenic coastal route, we'll visit Kakum National Park & stop for a meal.

Kakum National Park is a lush reserve of virgin rainforest. Suspended forty meters high, we'll walk the canopy bridges, viewing birds, butterflies, and the lush vegetation below. This tour for nature lovers is guided by knowledgeable locals who will explain the cultural, economic, and medicinal importance of flora found in the park.

After touring in Kakum National Park we'll relax at an oceanside restaurant. Fresh seafood is the specialty, but other dishes are readily available. We'll arrive at Axim Beach Hotel by mid-afternoon. Volunteers will have some time to get settled and relax. Orientation meeting will be held in the evening.

Monday August 8th - Wednesday August 10th

Clinic One - Anwia Village

Thursday August 11th - Saturday August 13th

Clinic Two - Teleku Bokazo Village

Sunday August 14th

Morning
Health Facility Tour This tour of local medical facilities, hosted by District Health Nurse Judith Okine, is an excellent opportunity for team members to see the reality of local healthcare. We'll see facilities which regularly serve the population when the team is not around.

Afternoon
The team will enjoy a well deserved afternoon off. Volunteers can relax at the beach or visit Axim town. Axim Beach has a picturesque rocky beach and a sandy beach perfect for swimming, relaxing, and sports such as volleyball.

Monday August 15th - Thursday August 18th

Clinic Three - Salman Village

Friday August 19th

Morning
Stilt Village of Nzulezu Departing from the the village of Beyin, we'll travel upriver in a dugout canoe until arriving at Lake Tadane. In the centre of the lake stands Nzulezu, a village built on stilts. Against a serene natural backdrop, we'll see the magnificent interplay between man and his environment; it is amazing to see traditional village life adapted to the watery conditions. All activities pertaining to normal life chores such as pounding of fufu (a traditional meal) schooling, worship, and burial are done on the lake.

Afternoon
The team will enjoy a well deserved afternoon off. Volunteers can relax at the beach or visit Axim town. Axim Beach has a picturesque rocky beach and a sandy beach perfect for swimming, relaxing, and sports such as volleyball.

Saturday August 20th

The team will depart Western Region for Accra. En route, we'll stop to visit the historic slave castle at Elmina.

The Sao Jorge de Mina Castle was built by the Portuguese in 1482. Beneath luxury suites for Europeans in the upper levels, thousands of slaves were held in dungeons before being shipped across the ocean. Today it is preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The haunting tour provides a moving depiction of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

Following the tour at Elmina, the team will have lunch and head back to Accra. The evening is free and transportation will be provided if volunteers would like to go out for a traditional Ghanaian meal or check out Accra night life.

Sunday August 21st
This is a free day for shopping, sightseeing, or relaxing on the beach in Accra. Volunteers depart individually throughout the day.

Travel Types

• Canoeing
• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Heritage Tourism
• Native Culture Studies
• Nature Tours
• RainForest Tours
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Vacation Packages
• Volunteering

Qualifications

The Medical Team consists of ten to fifteen international volunteers bringing varying expertise to the table. Doctors, nurses, peer health educators, medical students, and general volunteers all play a valued role on the team. A local doctor and several local translators are also an integral part of the team. You can fill one of the roles below.

Physician

As a physician, you play a key role on the team. Patients will wait in line for hours, sometimes days to see you. With the help of a translator you will be seeing patients of all ages with a variety of medical problems.You may also be involved in triaging patients and helping nurses when they have questions.
*All physicians are required to provide proof of qualifications.

Nurse

You may find the scope of your activities here to be wider than those you cover in your work at home. You will be assisting in triage, taking medical histories, and making preliminary diagnoses.
*All nurses are required to provide proof of qualifications.

Health Educator

You will play a key role in prevention. You will educate people, empowering them to prevent future sickness and injury. Local health authorities have identified a need for health education on the following topics.

- Malaria
- STDs
- HIV & AIDS(Proper handwashing and personal sanitation
- Proper lifting
- Healthy eating and exercise

You will deliver health education presentations to waiting patients, or one-on-one to patients after they have gone to the clinic and seen a doctor. You are expected to prepare materials before arriving in Ghana. The clinics take place in very basic conditions. There is no powerpoint and any educational supplies must be brought with you. Keep in mind that your work will often take place outside where it is thirty to thirty-five degrees celsius and very humid. You will most often be speaking to people one-on-one or as a part of a group with the assistance of a translator. You can use demonstrations, and creativity is welcomed!

Non-Medical Volunteer

As a non-medical volunteer you will likely be involved as a greeter or pharmacy aide. However, clinics are busy and dynamic and needs change. Therefore, it is important to be flexible and help out however is needed. On some days you may be assisting a physician to efficiently get patients through the clinic, whereas on others you'll be restocking supplies.

Greeter

You'll greet patients and take your time to record accurate patient information. You'll then ask a patient to wait. Patients can be ill, hot, hungry, and fearful, while the clinic may be noisy and crowded. Remember your smile and sense of humour and you'll become a pro at managing patient intake.

Pharmacy Aide

You'll be counting pills and placing them in an envelope for each patient. It is vital that you are meticulous. You'll be working alongside other pharmacy volunteers.

Intern Types

• Health Sciences
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Pharmaceuticals

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

750USD

Cost Include Description:

This program is provided in a safe and secure setting with outstanding amenities at an extremely competitive cost. You'll enjoy the experience as you grow and learn as part of a talented international team.

- Oceanfront accommodation in hotel (modern amenities in traditional style housing. safe and secure)
- Three meals daily*
- Tours to Kakum National Park, Nzulezu Village, and Slave Castle at Elmina
- Pre-departure support
- In-country support
- All in-country transportation
- Reference letter and/or compliance with your college or university for course credit (Upon request; 90CAD fee applies for students obtaining course credit)

*Please note that lunch on August 7th & August 20th, and meals on August 21st are not included. Volunteers can budget 3CAD-5CAD per meal depending on food preference, though an excellent fresh seafood meal can often be had for 7CAD.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

yes

There are roles for everybody to fill on this trip. Anybody who is volunteering as a doctor or nurse must be trained and certified, and able to provide us with their credentials.

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Age Range

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Participants Travel to Ghana

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

The Humanity Exchange's Mission Statement

To provide exceptional international exchange experiences, that foster globally minded conscientious leaders and contribute to development in cooperation with local communities.

Year Founded

2009