Glona Academy - Volunteer story

The HIV/AIDS education program in which I have been placed by Projects Abroad is a collaborative effort between the Glona Academy, a local charity organization which focuses on community education and outreach, and PPAG, the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana, an organization focused on promoting sexual and reproductive health throughout Ghana. The education project targets the Labadi area of Accra, Ghana, and aims to educate the population in that area on both effective prevention of the transmission of HIV/AIDS, as well as how to have a high quality of life with HIV/AIDS. We are currently in the preliminary phase of the project, which involves developing a survey questionnaire to be disseminated throughout the community so that we may develop a more effective education program. The actual program will consist of educational posters, flyers, and handouts, as well as at least one organized community education fair, with speakers and information available for the local population. The project has gone slowly at the outset, because we are essentially starting from scratch. I am one of two PA volunteers working on the project, and we are optimistic that we can get the program started and moving forward in a positive direction in our remaining time here.


As the education program is only in its infancy, things have been frustrating at times. We’re basically starting from scratch, and it’s taken a couple of weeks to figure out exactly what we want to do. But, things have picked up a lot of momentum and look very promising. I’ve learned a great deal about the difference in resource availability in à developing country versus in à developed one. It’s been à massive challenge to have to research and draft documents with limited computer and internet access, for example. I’ve gained à tremendous admiration for the inviduals who affect positive change in spite of the limited resources. I’ve learned à lot about adapting to à different culture as well. I’ve learned to be more relaxed about things, which runs very contrary to the way I’d lived the past three years as à college student. Overall, things look very promising for Glona, and I’m confident that the HIV/AIDS Education Program will become an asset to the Labadi community in the near future.