Soccer Game in Ghana on a service trip

High School Service Trip – Ghana (FULL)

June 20, 2022 – July 2, 2022
$3,850 (*includes airfare out of SFO)

This trip is intended for high school students. As much as Ghana is a great place to visit, there is still a need. The majority of Ghana’s population lives in rural regions and is involved in agriculture. Primary education is free but secondary schools are in short supply, as are healthcare facilities outside of the major cities. A large population of people with AIDS and HIV has also led to a significant number of young orphans and there is little support for the disabled or chronically ill. We ask you to consider lending a hand and bringing a smile to a child’s face in Ghana this summer.

Fees

The cost of the trip covers virtually all in-country experiences, including:

  • Airfare
  • Housing and meals
  • Excursions and cultural activities
  • Service project materials and coordination
  • Daily transportation
  • Airport pickup and drop-off
  • Dedicated group leader and experienced local guides
  • 24-hour emergency contact
  • T-shirt

The fee does not cover visa expenses or immunizations (if necessary). With the exception of meals during your free time on the arrival and departure days and any shopping you do, all trip costs are covered from the minute you arrive until the minute you return.

Housing & Meals

Akropong is extremely safe and peaceful. It is somewhat developed, yet has maintained its cultural traditions. Our housing facility just outside Koforidua is a boutique hotel with various bedrooms, each with private bathrooms, a major common area with couches and coffee tables, and a large dining hall and kitchen where our groups eat together. It is set in a quiet part of the village.

Preparing to Travel to Ghana

We are here to help you every step of the way.

Booking Your Flight

If airfare is included in your trip fee, Dream Volunteers will coordinate flight arrangements for the group on a major commercial airline so that you may all travel together. If airfare is not included, then Dream Volunteers will send you instructions for purchasing your ticket individually.

Weather

The climate of Ghana is tropical. It has little elevation — the entire country lies below 1000m — and daytime temperatures are high throughout the year (at least 30C/85F most days).  The eastern coastline along the Gulf of Guinea is warm and comparatively dry, the south-west corner of Ghana tends to be hot and humid, and the north of Ghana is hot and dry.

There are two rainy seasons: from March to July and September to October and the rainfall is highest in the south. Also notable is the Harmattan winds that blow through the country from December to March, carrying lots of dust from the Sahara. October through April are ideal times to visit when you are most likely to encounter dry weather and fewer mosquitoes.

Vaccinations

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following immunizations for travelers to Ghana.

  • Up-to-date boosters for routine vaccinations
    (measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc.)
  • Hepatitis A & B
  • Malaria
  • Meningitis
  • Typhoid
  • Rabies

Zika has been reported in Ghana and the CDC recommends travelers to Ghana, as is Malaria and the CDC recommends travelers to Ghana be rigorous about preventing mosquito bites..(Pregnant women are advised not to travel.) 

Many of the vaccinations should be started four to eight weeks in advance so please check with your healthcare provider or Travel Medicine clinic. Please refer to the CDC website or your doctor for more information on necessary vaccinations and insect repellents.

What to Bring

Ghana is warm. Your clothing needs will be fairly casual and you will want light layers. While we advise traveling light, you will have limited access to laundry so you should plan accordingly. Ghanaians enjoying dressing nicely so you may want to bring at least one nicer outfit and you will be expected to remove your shoes when visiting at a home.

Some suggestions to pack:

ATTIRE

  • Casual & Light (Layers)
  • Short sleeve shirts, long shorts, or summer pants/skirts/dresses
    (Women should either plan to wear pants or skirts or dresses to the knees.)
  • Old clothes for project work that can get stained/ dirty
  • Comfortable sneakers and/or work/hiking boots
  • Extra socks (to avoid blisters)
  • A light rain jacket or poncho

OTHER

  • Bug repellent
  • Work gloves
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Water bottle
  • Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen
  • OTC Medicine
  • Journal or notebook and pen
  • Camera
  • Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper
  • Spending Money ($150-$200)
Donations and Gifts

Participants often ask what they can bring with them to support the communities they are serving.

Here are some ideas about how you can contribute.

  • Monetary donations are most helpful. If each of us could raise at least $100, we would be able to send 2-3 teens to school for an entire year, as well as improve the physical structure of the local elementary school.

Due to the humanitarian nature of this trip, you may find creative ways to ask friends, relatives, colleagues, teachers, store owners, etc. for monetary and in–kind donations. We can provide you with two documents, which may aid you in your efforts:

1. In-Kind & Monetary Donations Letter for Store Managers/Owners
2. In-Kind & Monetary Donations Letter for Friends, Relatives, Teachers

All tax-deductible checks can be made payable to our 501(c)(3)non-profit, Dream Volunteers, and mailed to our headquarters: Dream Volunteers, 2221 Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA 94063.

Fundraising

There are many ways to fund your trip and we encourage you to think creatively. Given the nature of your service trip, others may be interested in supporting or sponsoring you or contributing to the cause.

View Funding Your Trip for more ideas about financing your trip or Fundraise for how to involve others in the cause.

Questions? Let us help! Contact Dream Volunteers