Volunteers take care of HIV/AIDS infected kids and people as well as get them engaged in educational and training activities meant to increase awareness and stop the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Ghana . Volunteer help would be highly valuable in the following activities; caring and encouraging HIV/AIDS affected, counseling and educating in hospitals and communities, raising personal risk perception among the youth, men and women by involving them to actively participate in HIV/AIDS preventive education in the district and helping various HIV/AIDS organizations in their community outreach programs (hospice care, recreational and educational programs, voluntary HIV counseling and testing, and educational seminars and conferences on the virus within the local community).

There is no specific qualification required to volunteer with this project. However, volunteers must possess love and willingness to share time and compassion with the people with great patience and high flexibility.

Rustic Volunteer Travel arranges volunteer meals, accommodations and strong field supervision for the duration of projects and optional travel packages. In Ghana, most volunteers stay in our homebase, a permanent home established for our international volunteers. Our homebase in Ghana is located in a pretty community, in a very safe and clean neighborhood. There are internet cafés, restaurants, local bus stations, a police station and supermarkets near our homebase. The homebase provides is a comfortable place to relax after a long day. There are several bedrooms (which may be shared with a same-gender volunteer) and community areas. There is a shared kitchen, television and shared bathrooms, which have running water and “western-style” toilets. Orphanage volunteers may stay at their project as many orphanages have special rooms set aside for international and these accommodations are normally shared with a same-gender volunteer.

Depending on the influx of volunteers, accommodations could be with a host family. Host family accommodations are simple and clean homes in safe neighborhoods. Volunteers usually have a private bedroom, but occasionally rooms will be shared with a same-gender volunteer. Our host families are well screened and are respected members of their communities who live in affluent neighborhoods. Most of our host families have experience with hosting international volunteers. Host family stays are a great chance for cultural immersion and exchange.

Volunteers receive three local meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). We can provide vegetarian meal options, but needs must be detailed in a volunteer's application. Snacks and beverages outside of mealtimes are not provided; however, there are local restaurants and grocery stores near the residences in which we place volunteers.

Rustic offers unparalleled field support to volunteers to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. There are many layers of support for you. The most important support comes from our country coordinator/field staff. The secondary support comes from the host project staff and members of host families and/or a homebase staff. Volunteers will have access to our country coordinator's mobile number and they are available 24/7. Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. Our field staff will visit regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to make sure things are going well and as planned. However, if placement is far from our local offices, staff members will stay in touch via email/ phone. Volunteers are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time.

Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.

HIV/AIDS project opportunities are available in various towns including Accra (home to the National Museum of Ghana, the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Christianborg or Osu Castle -- the residence of the president of Ghana), Kumasi (include the large Kumasi Central Market, Tafo kumasi, Fort Kumasi (built by the British in 1896 to replace an Asante fort and now a museum) and the Kumasi Hat Museum) and Hohoe (Wli Waterfalls), with shops, banks & internet cafes nearby. Ghana’s vibrant cities are renowned for its friendly atmosphere where visitors are always welcomed. It's full of contrasts: from traditional culture and history to modern infrastructure and most of the amenities you would expect from a city. Volunteers can organize different possible excursions during and after the project to visit places of interest. There is a tourist infrastructure already in place the volunteer can use during weekends. For example: waterfalls, monkey sanctuary, markets, purple princess designs, mountain biking, drumming school, community based eco-tourism project, Volta river, Pottery village, hotels, Kente weaving studio and many more.

Rustic Volunteer and Travels offers a variety of volunteer projects and travel packages in Ghana . You can customize or upgrade this travel itinerary to meet your specific interests. Please contact our travel advisor for more details