Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa volunteer laws

”Helping lift the lives of our vulnerable people is a great service which posterity  will look back and count our contribution .Your service will never be in Vain. They are part of us in the Global Village”

Volunteer Guidelines

We are very grateful for your interest in volunteering with Volunteer partnerships for West Africa (VPWA). While we are appreciative of your service, VPWA has certain rules, guidelines, and policies governing our volunteer program.  Please familiarize yourself with our procedures before you come to volunteer.  Not only do we want you to make the most of your time and have a meaningful experience, it's important that we ensure that your volunteer experience is a safe one as well.

General Volunteer Policies

 

Scheduling

 

We ask that all volunteers (whether individuals, families, or groups) schedule their volunteer time with Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa coordinator.  Scheduling is very important because we need to be prepared for your arrival and placement. You need to schedule and pay your deposit not less than 90 days before arrival.

 

Tours

 

We are always happy to give you the opportunity to take a tour of our tourist attractions.  Tours will typically be over the weekends. Some days within the week can also be scheduled to tour some places. Be sure to tell the Volunteer Coordinator that you want to tour some sites. 

Signing In 

 

All volunteers must sign in and out whether you volunteer at our office, school. Clinic or any of our affiliate institutions or somewhere.  It’s important that we know who is under our program protection or at one of our events at any given time. 

 

Age Limitations

 

We require that all volunteers be eighteen (18) years of age or older.  If minors are accompanied by parent or legal guardian, we will most be glad to welcome them.

 

Attire

 

Please dress comfortably for your volunteer activity.  We have a rather warm climate in Ghana, so dress appropriately like: jeans and sweat shirts are suggested, and in layers where applicable in the evening and dress lightly in the summer months (T-shirts & shorts, skirts, knee-level dresses are fine).  We don't require special shoes or other clothing, but we recommend that you wear sturdy shoes and clothes that you don't mind getting a bit dirty.  Open-toed shoes, high heel shoes, and sandals are also permitted.  Volunteers working in our community development projects must wear the required clothing (jeans, aprons, sanitary gloves, hair restraints, etc). Volunteers under teaching placement, clinics or any other official-like placement s are required to wear formal dresses suitable for warm conditions.

 

Drug Free Workplace

 

Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa has a "zero-tolerance policy" which strictly forbids the manufacture, possession, sale, or use of any controlled substance by employee or volunteers while on our program, or while engaged in any VPWA activity off-property, or while representing the VPWA in any capacity.  Any volunteer found to be under the influence of a controlled substance while engaged in any VPWA activity will be asked to leave and will be banned from any further activities.  Volunteers found to be in possession of or involved in the manufacture or distribution of controlled substances while with us at a VPWA activity or on VPWA posting or property will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities immediately.

 

Smoking, Eating & Drinking

 

Smoking is not permitted inside any of the VPWA affiliate institutions.  You can smoke outside your house of residence but please not within the apartment or room or at work place. This is to prevent creating uneasy circumstance for other non smoking volunteers. Please use proper receptacles when discarding any used smoking materials. 

 

Volunteers will have 2x meals from host (breakfast and dinner) .Volunteer will be on job during lunch and be giving special guidelines to eat during these hours. Cost of getting food to eat during lunch is not inclusive in our packages.

 

Beverages are allowed in all volunteer work areas throughout the VPWA affiliates. EXCEPT in the health related Facility.  There are water and soft drink vendors available outside some of our affiliate institutions.

 

 

Groups

 

Volunteer groups are asked to schedule their activities at least 90 days in advance, if possible.  The volunteer coordinator confirms arrival and departure times and the number of volunteers in the group 60 days prior to the event.

 

 

General Conduct

 

As a volunteer, you are asked to conduct yourself with courtesy and respect for others and for our program and facilities where you are assigned. 

 

Volunteers are asked not to touch, handle or operate any motorized equipments.  Volunteers must have completed the proper training before using any equipment. 

 

Please do not leave your assigned work areas without notifying the Supervisor or another staff member. 

         

 

Confidentiality

 

Some volunteers may have access to sensitive data during the course of their duties with us and our affiliates.  We require that any sensitive information acquired during service be kept confidential. 

 

 

Liability

 

All volunteers should have their own liability and health insurance in case of injury or property loss.  All accidents must be reported to the Volunteer Supervisor or another appropriate member of the VPWA staff.  Any injury (no matter how serious) must be reported.  VPWA will assist you to an acute care facility to treat any type of injury or sickness. 

 

VPWA is not responsible for loss of or damage to any personal property that a volunteer may send to their placement centers.  This includes bicycles, purses, jewelry, money, credit cards, clothing, or other valuable items.  Please leave these items at your appropriate residence and lock smaller items in your bags.

 

Revised: C 2009 – VPWA