Laura Mcgilvray
Alumna (Macquarie University) Australia

Having studied Development Studies at university, I was keen to get out of the classroom and go and experience what living in a "developing country" was really like. Volunteering with PREVOG gave me a fantastic way of achieving this, setting me up with a fantastic role working and teaching in a local orphanage and home with a wonderful Ghanaian family. My two months in Ghana were truly amazing, giving me a taste of Ghanaian life and experiences, memories and friends I will keep forever.

My time volunteering at New Life Orphanage consisted of getting to know the kids, playing games and music with them, teaching at the orphanage school and spending time with other teachers. It was a truly amazing experience hanging out with kids and getting to know them each individually and learning so much from the way the orphanage operates and gives a new home to vulnerable kids who would otherwise be in very bad situations. The kids were all so happy to be there, and I felt very welcome right from the start. I have also been able to keep in regular contact with the orphanage's director as we seek together to establish a community-to-community donation program.

Living with a large Ghanaian family was a fantastic way of experiencing everyday life in Ghana. My host, 'Grandma', welcomed me into her home and looked after me as though I were her own daughter. Each night, I would sit outside with the family as they prepared meals and played with the younger children in the complex. I was even able to experience a Ghanaian wedding engagement ceremony during my first week! In the family's compound there was also a small preschool where I got to know all the kids, and every day I returned home they would call out to me to read them a story. I feel exceptionally lucky to have been able to stay in such a wonderful place and be so welcomed into their home.

During my stay, I met volunteers from all over the world and made some great life-long friends. Together we were able travel outside of Ghana for weekends, visiting Cape Coast, Aburi Botanical Gardens, a monkey sanctuary where we fed monkeys bananas right from our hands, a traditional kente weaving village and the beautiful Wli Falls. Throughout my stay, I found Ghanaian people to be super friendly and welcoming, always interested in hearing where I was from and what I was doing.

Volunteering through PREVOG was a great experience for me. I arrived in Ghana knowing absolutely no one, and to have someone work out very welcoming accommodation and a wonderful orphanage for me to volunteer in was absolutely fantastic. They also gave a me an introduction to Ghanaian culture and showed me exactly how to travel throughout Accra, as well as other tips about living in Ghana. Throughout my stay, staff made sure I was always happy and well, and took me to the doctor when I did get sick. I definitely recommend volunteering with PREVOG, particularly if you have not been to Africa before. It's a pretty crazy place, full of life and excitement, but can be a bit overwhelming when you're a visitor. PREVOG is a fantastic organisation for everyone keen to discover this beautiful country.

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