Trip to Africa Advice - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Dion_Iggy_Kipper!!! · 07-02-2009, 11:10 PM

So, recently I've been planning to go on a volunteer trip to Africa, Ghana to be precise. After searching the web for a good organization that is legit I've found Projects Abroad and it sounds pretty good from what I can find on the web.

So a few questions, anyone go on a volunteer trip to Africa, with Projects
Abroad or with another organization, any good or bad stories to tell.

About the cost, according to the website it would cost $ 3,895 for 3 months (which is how long I'm looking at going for) the cost includes food, accomodation, and comprehensive travel and medical insurance. The travel costs would be extra above that. It says you can do fundraising for the trip, I would like to but any advice on how to go about that would be a great help.

Also, any general advice on travelling in Africa in general would be a great help, I plan on going next year sometime, but I'm not sure exactly when.

Thanks.

MRCboicgy · 07-02-2009, 11:15 PM

Go to Kenya, they have lions, only in Kenya.

Bibtin Tex · 07-02-2009, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

Go to Kenya, they have lions, only in Kenya.

Where can you see tigers?
Only in Kenya
Got lions and tigers only in Kenya
Forget Norway

ah123 · 07-03-2009, 12:58 AM

Don't know much about the organization or volunteering in Africa, but do your research (which you already have started). Some thoughts though; definitely make sure to talk to people who have volunteered for/through that organization. Other organizations to consider for volunteer opportunities (in Africa and elsewhere) would be the more well known groups such as Red Cross, UNICEF & AKDN or to talk to church groups (if you belong to a church)

I have travelled to Africa a couple of times, and I am fortunate that I have family over there, who have provided guidance.

If you have never been, be ready for shock and awe, it is a amazingly beautiful and diverse place, but it is also very different from the "Western world" -- it is also very easy (as a foreigner) to be duped.

Research the country/countries you are going to visit; check travel advisories that the Cdn, US, UK governments have for the area.

You might also check Lonely Planet and other such guides to know what to expect (weather wise, people wise), make sure you get all the vaccinations and medications (that will cost you a couple of hundred dollars as well) - some countries won't let you in without the proper vaccinations (e.g. yellow fever)

Above all, enjoy it, because Africa is an amazing place to visit

Hope this helps,

4X4 · 07-03-2009, 01:01 AM

Water's brown? Drink it down.
Water's black? Send it back!

icarus · 07-03-2009, 04:37 AM

I have a friend who just came back from Ghana having worked on a project for Habitat for Humanity. She had a great time, so it might be worth checking out the work they're doing in the country.

The Goon · 07-03-2009, 07:37 AM

"Gonna take a lot to take me awayyyyy from youuuuuu...."

HalifaxDrunk · 07-03-2009, 07:41 AM

"Theres nothing that a hundred men or moooore could ever dooooooo....."

icarus · 07-03-2009, 07:46 AM

"I bless the rains down in Affffffricaaaaaaaaaa!"

ricosuave · 07-03-2009, 11:12 AM

"gonna take some time to do the things we never haaaaadddddddd.... ooooohhhh whhhoooooo"

RyZ · 07-03-2009, 11:15 AM

Bring condoms and don't be afraid to triple wrap it.

Bibtin Tex · 07-03-2009, 11:35 AM

Solid Advice here OP

Russic · 07-03-2009, 11:38 AM

When you come across the really nice guy offering Hippo sightseeing tours in a rickety old canoe, please think back to this post:

Don't effin do it.

Stumptown · 07-03-2009, 11:41 AM

I would advise adding medevac insurance as well - especially if you're going to be out in the bush (not in a city). It will cover a medevac charter flight if you get sick or injured and there's no hospital nearby. It could be covered in your medical, but you should check and make sure. Adding it shouldn't be very expensive - I took it out for 3 weeks in Tanzania a few years ago and it was only about $75. Didn't need it, luckily, but mom is in the Foreign Service and has some expensive horror stories, so she insisted.

Get all the recommended vaccines and take your shot record with you, take the malaria pills, and don't swim in standing water (Schistosomiasis).

Hope you like spicy food! Ghanaian food is delicious. I crave that really hot West African groundnut stew all the time. There's an Anthony Bourdain episode about Ghana, if you're curious about the food.

mots · 07-03-2009, 11:48 AM

A tip about malaria pills. A LOT of people that have taken them complain that they get weird-as dreams. Almost like hallucinations/nightmares, and stop taking them. The trick is, is to take the pills in the mornings, as opposed to at night. If you do it this way, you will be cool to sleep with no side effects.

Dion_Iggy_Kipper!!! · 07-03-2009, 05:42 PM

Thanks for the advice, well some of it anyway. And that Anthony Bourdain episode that Stumptown mentioned is luckily on youtube, so I'll check it out later. Great tip about the malaria pills.

I believe that when you actually sign up with Projects Abroad they give you contacts of different people who have done what you are planning to do, I will definatly talk to them.