Volunteer To Do List

Step 1: Passport

Once your GWF application has been accepted, the first step in order to volunteer in Ghana is getting your United States Passport. The easiest and cheapest place to get your US passport is at your local Post Office. There you can get your passport pictures and fill out/send your passport application. To locate a US Post Office near you go to www.usps.com. Allow for approximately one month to recieve your US Passport.

Step 2: Plane Ticket

There is a lot of freedom when it comes to purchasing your plane ticket. You need your flight information in order to fill out your visa application. Plane tickets can be purchased from any number of internet sites. Sites include: www.orbitz.com, www.expedia.com, and www.priceline.com, just to name a few. Another option for purchasing your plane tickets is to do it through a travel agency. We recommend the travel agency called Travel Leaders who are experienced with booking flights going to Africa.

Step 3: Visa

Once you have recieved your US passport and you have your flight information you are ready to send for your Ghanaian Visa. The visa ensures that you can enter Ghana legally. In order to obtain your visa you need to go to the Ghanaian Embassy's official site and print out four copies of their visa application. That website is www.ghana-embassy.org. There you can also find the additional requirements to obtain your visa.

Step 4: Vaccinations

When travelling to Ghana, proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended. Other vaccinations are highly recommended, however are often recieved in childhood. These include: Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus/Diptheria, Rabies, Influenza, Pneumococcal, PPD, MMR, Varicalla, Polio, Meningitis, and Typhoid. A more in-depth pamphlet will be sent to you when you are accepted as a volunteer. For more information regarding these vaccines and other health related issues go to www.passporthealthusa.com.

*When your volunteer application is reviewed and accepted, The Ghana Wisdom Foundation will send you a packet with the vaccinations needed to travel to Ghana. Also in the packet will be health precautions, things to pack, local conditions, and advice from previous volunteers.