Sarah Black, United Kingdom
volunteered with Care Net Ghana October - December 2007

"I volunteered at Care Net by team teaching with a fellow volunteer who was trained in medical science. As a secondary school teacher in the UK, I had taught sex education previously as part of Personal, Social and Health education (PSHE). My experience at Care Net was very interesting and exceptionally memorable, mainly because of the positive attitude of the children and their great enthusiasm. Care Net has some very useful resources, mainly in the form of videos on the range of issues related to sexual health and peer pressure. We would watch short video clips and then discuss any issues, which arose. Often this discussion would become a big question and answer session where some students asked very pertinent and thoughtful questions, showing maturity beyond anything I had encountered teaching the same topics back in the UK.

One aspect of this teaching experience, which stood out, was the importance of dispelling any myths about HIV, STIs or condom use. Other activities which we did with the students included quiz questions on STIs/STDs, role-plays on peer pressure and practical demonstrations of correct condom use. Students were very well behaved and genuinely interested in what we discussed. They wanted to find out the real answers and it was refreshing to meet so many keen young adults who approached sex and HIV education with the maturity that it requires. For those students who were shy about asking sex related questions openly in the sessions, we introduced a confidential questions box. Students were welcome to put a question in the box anonymously and we promised to try to answer all confidential questions during the next session. This worked really well. Most of the confidential questions were from girls who were worried about teenage pregnancy, STIs and menstruation.

The work that Care Net does is so important for the positive progression and development of the local community of Hohoe. My experience there gave me an insight into the great importance of improving the quality of sex and HIV education in Ghana and left me feeling very positive about the attitudes of the next generation of young Ghanaians."

Jill Bischoff, Canada
Volunteered with Care Net Ghana November – December 2007

"My experience volunteering at Care Net Ghana was an experience of a life time....Patrick and his staffs are absolutely amazing people and their smiles would lighten up anybody's day. They are the most giving unselfish people I have ever met in my life.....and believe in a cause for the village of Hohoe, Ghana, West Africa, and stand by it......even though there are some months they go without pay due to lack of funding...it is their belief in the cause and the hope and future of their village... that keeps them going.

Who could not be involved in such an organization when the people who work at Care Net Ghana inspire you so much and teach us North Americans.....that life is not always about the almighty dollar....it is your hard work, dedication and spirit and helping thy neighbour....good old fashioned beliefs and values and not wanting anything in return.....My experience in Hohoe, Ghana humbled me and brought me to tears so many times.....but it will be an experience I will treasure a life time and always have fond memories, laughs and tears...!.

That is why I continue to dedicate my time to this organization and village to fundraise, because the future of Africa and these small villages depends so much on outside influence and foreign investment for the survival and development of Hohoe, Ghana West Africa.....

Please do not hesitate to contact me directly at: jillbischoff@shaw.ca regarding volunteering in Hohoe or fundraising at your local schools, churches, and workplace or just to donate.....All donations are greatly appreciated.....Thank you."

Daryl Peagler, United States of America
Volunteered with Care Net Ghana, July 2007

“I volunteered with the Care Net team for about three weeks in July 2007. At the time, Care Net was in the process of modifying its organizational focus, and I worked closely with the Executive Director in order to write a strategic plan for the overall non-profit. I also worked with another volunteer to start to put together Care Net’s Safe Place program, which would provide services to help abused children in the community.

This experience was very enriching for me. By volunteering at Care Net, I learned an incredible amount about the issues affecting children in the community, as well as about how NGOs work in Ghana. I have worked in program strategy with both non- and for-profit organizations in the United States, and I was impressed by Care Net’s sharp focus only on specific beneficiaries and issues where it could be most effective. I was also extremely excited by the team’s deep knowledge of and passion for the most pressing problems facing Ghana’s children. With such a strong team, I firmly believe Care Net Ghana can continue to make a significant difference in the community”.

Jarrod Rust, Australia
Volunteered with Care Net Ghana, September – November 2008

I volunteered with Care Net Ghana for almost 12 weeks, the duration of which time there were no funds to run its programs. However, I was still able to make some sort of impact through certain activities under the innovative guidance of Director, Patrick. In collaboration with some of the local schools I was able to lead a few sessions on both computer studies and sexual and reproductive health, but my biggest activity was organizing and running a soccer competition. As someone with no teaching or medical skills, let alone soccer skills, I was still able to have some sort of positive influence on a few of the local children. Now we have an active juvenile made of children aged 12-15 team in place known as DANGEROUS F.C.

The incredible determination of Patrick to make a difference in his homeland has been truly inspiring; especially when you consider the practices of other NGO’s practicing in the area. The truly altruistic, truly not-for-profit practices of Care Net Ghana instill a confidence in me that any money I send in the future will be wholly directed to an appropriate and effective project. Future plans to set up a clinic and a model school attest to a sustained commitment to developing a better Ghana. If you want to volunteer in Ghana, Care Net will ensure that your experience will be rewarding, no matter what your skills or what kind of impact you want to have.