There are various opportunities for volunteering in Ghana. It's important to first consider what type of volunteer work you'd like to do. For instance, you could teach English at a school, engage in sports activities with street children, or provide support at a hospital. There are also projects involving animals, such as working at a dog shelter or assisting a local veterinarian. There are also cconstruction, environmental, and community projects. The choices are diverse, so it's essential to think about what suits you best.

Once you've decided on the direction you want to take, you can explore different organizations. There are many international organizations that provide such programs and also local organizations in most countries. A well-known international organization is International Volunteer HQ. International HQ offers various projects in Lima and Cusco. These include construction projects, child-focused projects, animal projects, and healthcare projects.

We also have good experiences with volunteering through Workaway. This is a platform for volunteering that doesn't go through an organization, but you arrange everything directly with the project itself. As a result, you need to take care of the logistics yourself. On the other hand, volunteering through an organization costs money, but volunteering through Workaway is almost free. You pay a registration fee for Workaway, and some projects may ask for a small daily fee. We volunteered in Iquitos at an educational project and had a fantastic, educational experience. We stayed with the family that runs the project. The project is still in its early stages, so there was a lot to figure out.

The organizations mentioned above offer various projects. It's important to note that some organizations require a minimum number of weeks for participation. This is because it often takes some time to get started and find your way. Additionally, the people running the project invest time and energy in you, and it's nice to stay longer. A week is often too short to really contribute to a project.

It's also important to consider the accommodation. Some projects provide a volunteer house, while others have you stay with a host family.

Moreover, volunteering through an organization costs money. Often, a part of the fee goes to the organization, a portion to the project you're participating in, and another part covers accommodation costs. In addition to the fee you pay for volunteering, you often have to arrange and fund other things yourself, such as your visa, background check, flight ticket, and meals. This varies greatly depending on the organization and project.

Once you have found an organization and project that interest you, we recommend having a conversation with the organization. They can explain more about the volunteer work, giving you a clearer picture of what to expect. This helps you make a well-informed decision.

Be cautious with volunteering in orphanages. While fewer organizations offer this, it still occurs. Volunteering in orphanages is not beneficial for a child's attachment. It can be highly traumatic for children to bond with a volunteer who later leaves and they never see again. This situation is emotionally painful and harms their self-esteem, self-image, and development.

Additionally, volunteering in orphanages can become a lucrative income source for (developing) countries. Consequently, some countries build more orphanages and, in certain cases, entice children away from their families to place them in these institutions for financial gain.

To choose a volunteering project, it can be helpful to read the stories of other volunteers. Many organizations offering volunteer opportunities share the experiences of past volunteers.

If you're volunteering alone, you can ask the volunteer organization if there are other volunteers at the volunteer house, host family, or project during your intended period. You might consider choosing another time for volunteering when more volunteers are present.

In Peru, things often happen differently than in the Netherlands. The lifestyle is different, and life tends to be much more relaxed. Our tip is to let it all come to you and not to stress too much. Even at the project where you'll be volunteering, things will be different from what you expected. For example, you may have planned to teach English with a teacher, but the teacher might decide to do gym class instead. You’ll also see other things that may surprise you. For instance, you might witness a child being hit or feel deeply moved by an elderly woman to whom you’re handing out meals. These experiences can leave a strong impression on you, and it's important to talk about them, whether with your contact person or other volunteers.

It's important to talk with the people at the project about their expectations of you, what you expect from them, and how you can work together. Try not to cling too much to how you envision things. The project members have been doing it their way for a while, and you're a guest. You can certainly address certain matters, but be respectful and try to understand their cultural perspective.

It's recommended to learn a bit of Spanish. This will help you connect better with the people and children who don't speak English. Speaking Spanish will be greatly appreciated in Peru. You can quickly learn some words and phrases in Spanish using apps like Duolingo.

Life in Peru differs from Western countries, and it's understandable that you'd like to take photos. If you want to take photos at the project, it's useful to discuss this beforehand with someone from the project. This also applies outside the project. For example, if you want to take a picture of a market stall with a woman behind it, it's courteous to ask for permission. People don't appreciate being photographed without permission.

If you're volunteering in Peru, you'll come into contact with many locals. These local people know the area very well, and we recommend making the most of this. For example, it's great to ask them what you can do in the area, to go somewhere together, or to cook together. You can also ask for recommendations on local restaurants and places to go out. This way, you'll truly immerse yourself in local life!

Lastly, we encourage you to just go for it and not overthink. It can be daunting to travel to a different continent and a new country for an extended period. Fortunately, there are organizations available to answer your queries, and at the destination, local contacts are also eager to assist you. It will be an unforgettable experience and a great opportunity for learning!