International Volunteer Work Helping in HIV/AIDS Centers in Ghana

As the plight for prevention of the HIV AIDS virus in Africa has been widely publicized, sending volunteers overseas in an effort to educate members of the local community has been an effective form of deterrence. Volunteering in Ghana is the ideal place to begin working on an HIV AIDS project as the country has been taking preventative efforts seriously since the mid-1980s. Your help on our HIV AIDS project in the capital of Ghana, Accra, will strengthen the hard work that has already been put in place as well as create new avenues for growth.

Volunteer Opportunities Abroad Working with Awareness Campaigns in Ghana

In Ghana, we work with the Glona Academy – an HIV AIDS awareness campaign and education center in Accra. The Glona Academy aims to teach people about the dangers of HIV AIDS and STDs while encouraging them to change their behavior so that they are risk free from contracting diseases. The Ghana AIDS Commission provides relevant information to teach to schools and communities about AIDS awareness.

Initially, trained volunteers visit schools and communities to seek permission from the governing bodies to carry out an advocacy program. Before the HIV AIDS program is carried out, there is an initial survey on the school/community to find out how much information they already know about the disease. This is to determine the content of the program as some schools/communities may have a greater knowledge than others and should therefore be taught more advanced topics.

The HIV AIDS program is about 1 hour 30 minutes long and consists of various educational sketches, talks on HIV AIDS prevention and tolerance, discussions, a video show, presentations and questionnaires. The program teaches its audience behavioral changes to reduce their risk of contracting HIV AIDS and STDs. For example, safe sexual behavior is outlined - abstinence, be faithful and/or use a condom. There are also other methods of prevention, such as avoiding body piercing where HIV AIDS can be passed through non-sterile needles.

After the presentation program, the classes will be given an evaluation form to complete. The evaluation enables us to assess how successful the program has been and if there are additional areas that need to be covered again to clear up any misinterpretations or uncertainties.

For schools only, we ask students to form an HIV AIDS club where they can learn more about the advantages of practicing safe sex. The main aim for the HIV AIDS club is for students to pass on this important information to their peers; spreading the word for a healthy and happy life. We hope that at least 60% of the target audience will have learnt and be practicing behavioral changes that will prevent the spread of HIV AIDS and other STDs.

Volunteers at the Glona Academy can also get involved in helping teach basic English and math to children and young adults who may not have had access to education at a young age. There are also general healthcare and sanitation programs that you may assist with.

Volunteering Overseas on an HIV AIDS Project in Africa

Doing international volunteer work at the Glona Academy will give you a unique chance to get involved in the local community and help educate people about HIV AIDS prevention. Your role as a volunteer will depend on the time of year you travel to Ghana and what is needed by the center. Whatever work you’re asked to do, you can be sure that you’ll be contributing to a worthwhile cause that will impact the lives of Ghanaians.