Why should I become a volunteer?
“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” ~ Edward Everett Hal
There are many reasons why we don’t become involved— I don’t have time. I don’t have resources. Efforts of one will go unnoticed. There is one reason why you should— because you can. You can make a difference in the world.
We invite you to join Medicine on the Move and begin your journey to fulfillment and becoming part of something greater than yourself.
The following FAQs will provide you with basic information regarding volunteering with MoM to help determine if you are ready for the challenges ahead of you.
A volunteer works on behalf of others or a particular cause without payment for his time and services. Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good. But volunteering also has self-serving reasons: Working for one’s own skill development. Meeting new people in foreign settings. Making contacts for possible employment. Having fun. Fulfilment. Creating meaning in your life. Volunteering takes many forms and is performed by a wide range of people. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work Medicine on the Move has great opportunities for doctors, nurses, teachers and pilots, there is much to be done – and attitude is the key part of being a volunteer – of course your skills will be put to good use, whether as a carpenter, office work, air traffic controller, builder, marketing expert, welder, engineer, sailor, ships engineer, navigator, marshaller, plumber, electrician… – all have a place, provided you are also prepared to walk in the mud and muck in with the crew! All volunteers are expected to help out on an as-needed basis for tasks, which do not necessarily require a certain expertise but “hands on skills” – and we can always make good use of an extra set of hands to help out!
Am I suitable?
Do you want to make a difference? Are you motivated to work hard? Are you interested in people and new cultures? Are you interested in health and aviation and its potentials of positive impacts it has for Ghana’s development? Are you ready to rediscover yourself? Are you intrigued to live and adapt to new surroundings with different living standards and cultural habits? Can you smile at challenge? Are you ready to share your skills with others, even if skills transfer is not so easy? Are you ready to eat whatever you find on your plate? Are you ready to push a car in the mud? Can you imaging learning new skills whislt hot, sticky and sweaty? Do you mind not having TV, fast internet or power at night?
If so, then you might be ready to join the team.
If you are interested in contributing to our work through volunteering, please send an email to
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with your CV/resume and a photo. Tell us your motivation and expectations volunteering with Medicine on the Move, and your availability.
Expect to become a part of a hard working, humorous, friendly, multi-cultural family, who revolves around aviation while helping West Africans learn to help themselves. Expect to experience positive change for Ghanians and within yourself. You will be able to participate and contribute in our unique and meaningful work and experience the day-by-day challenges and obstacles we face conducting our work while reaching our goals. Expect to expand your horizons experiencing cultural sensitivity as well as increasing your personal network. Expect that on some days frustration will rise to the max when things don’t get done as planned – but also expect the great reward at achieving daily goals. Expect to go home as a different person than when you came. We know that you will most likely want to return. Be ready to be thrown in at the deep end and to find your own ‘niche’, maximizing your potential in a tough situation. The team on the ground is always ready to listen, encourage and support – but they may not be as accessible as you may think – it gets busy on the field – 24/7!
As a volunteer you are not being paid for your work contribution, hence it is crucial for you to be able to estimate your expenses. Below are some expenses that will arise, and that you should consider before applying to volunteer. Since Medicine on the Move is a small grass-roots organization, we are unfortunately unable to compensate or reimburse you for any of your expenditure.
- Visa: Depending on your nationality you will most likely need a visa to enter Ghana. Please consult the Ghanaian High Commission, Embassy or consulate in your country via phone or Internet to find out about visa costs and how to apply. (Processing might take between 10 days and up to 4 weeks).
- Vaccinations: If you are have not recently spent some time in Africa, you will should boost up several vaccinations. Yellow Fever vaccination is legally required for entrance into Ghana and checks of your yellow international vaccination pass might take place upon arrival. Please consult your general physician or doctor to thoroughly inform you about necessary steps to prepare you for a healthy stay in Ghana. You will have to invest in Malaria Prophylaxis and your Hepatitis A and B should be up to date, as well as for Measles, Diphtheria, Polio, Tetanus (DPT) and Tuberculosis (TB).
In some countries, these expenses might be covered by your health insurance. Please research the costs that might arise for your medical preparations.
- Transportation: Depending on where you are coming from, check out your possibilities and expected expenditures to come to Ghana via road or air. The Accra International Airport is about 80km away from our airfield. Unless we have no emergency, we will arrange to pick you up at the airport if you arrive by plane.
- Insurance: Be sure to have valid health insurance for your stay in Ghana that will reimburse you for possible necessary treatments.
- Food and Accommodation: We can offer you a shared room in our newly constructed accommodation at the airfield. This will give you a great opportunity to get to know us and each other our team outside the work place. Since we live on a single campus with the AvTech girls, the engineering apprentices of the AvTech Academy at Kpong airfield, and the flying team, you can immerse yourself with the local culture and tradition.
If you wish to make use of this opportunity, we ask you for a contribution EUR150.00 / USD 250.00 and then an amount of EUR 30.00 / USD 50.00 per day to cover the expenses and maintian the facilities. This includes collecting you and returning you to Kotoka International Airport, Accra, a light breakfast, big lunch and an evening snack, filtered table water as much as you need, as well as a slow hot spot for internet connectivity. You may choose to purchase your own data service for your smartphone.
Any other cost that could arise would only be from your personal consumption and expenditure levels on every day necessities, buying local clothing and tribal accessories like beats, drinks, sweets etc. as well as travel explorations of our beautiful country. We do have a local taxi-driver who will take you to town and back for a modest fee, and you may ride with the site vehicles at no extra charge. NOTE: when we take the site vehicles we are time constrained and expect you to either 'be on board or make your own way back' when the gong goes!
IMPORTANT NOTE: New government regulations (May 2013) require registration for the National Identification card for Foreigners for volunteers who spend more than 90 days per year in the country (http://www.fims.org.gh/m/) which would incur a total of around $250 in charges related to transport, applications, administrative support, including the government fees ($120 for the scratch card, at the time of writing). This has just been introduced and we do not fully know how the system will work. Furthermore, Ghana Immigration Services will make a charge of $40 per month for any over 60 day stay, this can be processed locally, but would also incur transport and administration charges for the processing, so allow around $60 per monthpast 60 days for your passport stamping at the local immigration office (note your passport will be sent away for around a week at each stamping) - failure to carry out this action may result in penalties upon leaving the country. These systems are designed to protect you, however, we feel that you should be aware of them early on in the volunteer process. Such procedures are outside of our control, and we ask you to understand that these procedures have been implemented as part of a National scheeme to protect the rights of foreign nationals as required by international obligations/treaties to which Ghana is a signatory.
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Be prepared to sweat! Not just because we make you work – but so will the weather. For those from temperate climes Ghana will always be hot. We have a dryer and hotter season from November to April, and two wet seasons in June-July and September-October. You will need: Cotton clothing only, and lots of your favorite deodorant! And we mean that. You’ll be working around the airfield so bring a solid pair of shoes, ideally waterproof (two pairs may be an ideal). Do not forget mosquito repellent, which is made for tropical mosquitoes. Just in any case that your body will find it hard to adjust to local food and climate, you might also carry a package of anti-diarrhea tablets and aspirin/ paracetamol / ibruprofen with you. Also do not forget sunscreen – even during the wet season the sun comes out. But the most important thing: Remember to bring your humor and great attitude! No matter how bad a day has been, there is always something to laugh at.
Vegetarians might have a hard time in Ghana. Apart from that, Mavis, our cook at Kpong airfield, will give you the opportunity to explore the variety of the delicious local foods and dishes. Common meat served is chicken, beef or fish, usually served with vegetables or beans and a composition of flavored rice or banku (a sort of casava dumpling) or yams (to some extent comparable to potatoes). In comparison to Western cuisine, Ghanaian and local dishes make use of a variety of different spices and flavors. But you will also come across familiar vegetables and spices. Regarding hot spice levels, Mavis will always provide you a milder option.
As always when visiting a new country and culture – be adventurous to try out new food and be prepared to eat with your fingers (especially rice and banku) – which is quite fun. Of course we will try to account for certain allergies that you might have, so please let us know. (Note peanuts/ground nuts are everywhere and you may want to bring your ‘antidote’ should you need one!)
Help make a difference in countless peoples lives today – if you are interested in supporting this exciting project through volunteer work, please contact Patricia Mawuli on +233 28 5075254 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your CV and a brief description about your motivation and expectation (max. 1 page) to volunteer with Medicine on the Move and the time(s) of availability.
