New GVN Volunteer Programs in Ghana and Vietnam

Global Volunteer Network has recently announced new volunteer programs operating in Ghana and Vietnam. In Ghana GVN is expanding their services to include child development and farming projects, and a new program in Vietnam is being designed specifically for volunteers aged 50 and up.

Volunteering in Ghana

The Republic of Ghana is located in West Africa, and is a small but developing nation. The capital of Ghana is Accra, a bustling city of almost 4 million people, and its government is considered one of the most stable in Africa. Nonetheless, the people of Ghana still face serious social issues including inadequate health, education, and a growing economic gap between poor and wealthy citizens.

GVN has recently expanded their Ghana program from teaching and village programs to include child development and farming projects. This opens their Ghana program to many more potential volunteers with a variety of skills and experiences to contribute.

The program is located in Central Ghana, in the village of Awutu Bawdwease. GVN has been working in Ghana since 2002, and their primarily focus to date has been placing international volunteers within local schools. By assisting and empowering young girls and boys through education, they hope to give them the skills needed for a brighter future.

What needs and services do these programs address?

Basic childcare needs and sustainable farming to support and educate children. In the teaching program, volunteers ease the problems of overcrowding and lack of skilled teachers in schools. The village programs offers education, training, and skills to community groups to empower them and enhance their development.

Volunteers can stay for as little as three weeks, to an extended stay of six months. Ghana is an English speaking country and offers a great starting point to explore Africa; it is well known for the friendliness and warmth of its people, vibrant culture, and beautiful beaches. These projects offer you a great way to experience the Ghanaian way of life, while making a lasting difference in local communities.

For full program information please refer to this webpage. You may also be interested in this report/slideshow for more details on what volunteers can gain from international volunteering.

Volunteering in Vietnam

Young at Heart Tour (Volunteering at 50+)

Volunteering abroad is not just for twenty-somethings. Baby boomers have recently taken a keen interest in sharing their vast knowledge and experience with foreign communities in need. GVN will soon be taking volunteers who are still young at heart on a special program to Vietnam.

This tour has been designed for mature volunteers who are young at heart and ready for their next adventure! Starting May 9th, 2011, and lasting 10 days, volunteers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a developing country, experience another culture, and contribute to the development of education in local communities in central Vietnam. The tour is shorter and more intense than a standard program, with the additional benefits of comfortable accommodation, a local translator, and village and cultural tours.

Taking part in this volunteer program will also give participants the opportunity to fundraise and contribute financially to one of the projects the group will be working with in Vietnam.

This is the first year GVN is running a specialised 50+ tour, after many volunteers have requested a program of this type. After the success of their Youth Tour (15-17 year olds) in 2010, they hope to see similar success with this great program for those who are young at heart! This is a fantastic opportunity to sample Vietnamese sights, culture, and food, whilst sharing love and affection with disadvantaged babies and children.

For full program information please refer to this page.

Discover Related Content:

Full List of Global Volunteer Network Programs
Volunteer in Ghana
Volunteer in Vietnam
Why Volunteer Abroad?