Hello everyone, my name is Kerttu, and this is my very first blog post as a European Solidarity Corps humanitarian aid volunteer in Ghana. I am 27 years old and come from a small country in Northern Europe called Estonia.
I decided to apply to become a humanitarian aid volunteer after a former colleague of mine enthusiastically shared her experience of volunteering in Kenya, describing it as truly life-changing. I had long dreamed that after finishing university, I would spend some time living in a completely different cultural environment—stepping out of my comfort zone and growing as a person. Volunteering abroad is not very common among Estonians, which often made this dream feel distant and almost unattainable.
Still, I chose to take the leap. After completing the ESC humanitarian aid volunteers’ online course and the on-site training, I found a project that felt like the right fit for me: SASID – Solidarity Action for Sustainable and Inclusive Development. I was particularly drawn to this project because it was looking for volunteers with a medical background. I hold a degree in nursing and had already worked as a nurse for four years prior to this experience. For me, it was important to find a project connected to my professional background—one that would allow me to grow not only personally but also professionally, broaden my horizons, and, if possible, share my knowledge with others.
To be completely honest, arriving in Ghana was a shock. Despite the trainings and the preparation seminar, the reality truly hit me only once I landed in Accra, Ghana’s capital. At the accommodation, I met other volunteers, and during our five-day base camp we were able to support one another and quickly form close bonds.
When I finally arrived at the project location—a small town called Duakwa in Ghana’s Central Region—I was welcomed by the most wonderful, supportive, loving, and understanding host family. At first, it was incredibly scary to live in a completely unfamiliar country, surrounded by people I had never met before. But now, I cannot imagine a better way to experience Ghana’s everyday life, culture, and traditions so
authentically. During my first month here, I kept reminding myself that truly life- changing experiences only happen when we step outside our comfort zones. I am deeply grateful that I gave myself time to adapt—because even after just a few months, this has already become one of the most meaningful and transformative experiences of my life.
My project is based at the Duakwa Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center and Hospital. During my first months, I have worked with children with special needs both at the orphanage school and in physiotherapy sessions. I have joined a social worker on home visits, observed mental health counseling in the local context, and worked alongside my supervisor in the orthopedic workshop, helping to create orthoses, prostheses, and orthopedic footwear. Volunteering here is incredibly diverse, with many opportunities to learn and contribute. In the coming months, I will also rotate into the hospital environment and work in different departments.
Alongside my daily work, I have started a small personal project—a donation campaign among my friends, family, and acquaintances in Estonia—to build a chicken coop for the local community. The goal is to support the community, especially the children, by ensuring food security and helping the center generate income to purchase essential supplies for education and medical care. The campaign is still ongoing, and hopefully, construction can begin in the first quarter of 2026.
As I mentioned earlier, life here felt very unfamiliar at first. Simple things—like living without running water for months or worrying daily about whether there will be electricity—were challenging adjustments. The roads here often look nothing like what I would consider safe or comfortable back home. Compared to Estonia’s climate and food, Ghana is its complete opposite: temperatures have not dropped below
25°C during my stay, and the food is very spicy. Not only my mind, but also my body had a lot to adapt to.
Some cultural differences are still difficult for me to accept. For example, the unwanted attention I receive because of my skin color can be uncomfortable. As a former workaholic, adjusting to the more relaxed work culture has also been a challenge. Still, I believe that discomfort is one of life’s greatest teachers, and
fortunately, the positive emotions I experience here far outweigh the difficulties. I often find myself surprised by how much this experience has already opened me up as a person and changed the way I think. Starting life almost from scratch in a foreign country, among unfamiliar people, has taught me an incredible amount about myself and the world. And as a bonus—it is quite wonderful to enjoy sunshine, warmth, and light throughout autumn, winter, and spring for the first time in my life.
In my free time, I spend most of it with my host family. They have supported me in every possible way, and without them, adapting to life here would have been far more difficult. My host mother has introduced me to local dishes and taught me how to prepare them. I have also learned how to crochet and do some basic sewing. We have gone shopping together, organized movie nights, taken trips to the seaside, and shared many deep and beautiful conversations. I truly feel that they have become my
second family—my Ghanaian family.
I have also traveled with other volunteers, mostly exploring Ghana’s coastal towns. My first larger trip was to the fishing town of Winneba. We also visited Cape Coast and Elmina, where we explored historic castles and Kakum National Park. I have been to the capital a few times as well and continue to be amazed by how different it feels compared to the rest of Ghana I have experienced. I believe that if someone only visits Accra as a tourist and goes nowhere else, they may leave with a very different impression of Ghana than what everyday life here truly looks like.
am incredibly happy and grateful that I decided to come to Ghana as a volunteer. Even though the beginning was difficult and uncomfortable, I can already see how much positivity this experience has brought into my life. In the coming months, I hope to feel even more settled and at home here, and I am excited to see my chicken coop project come to life, along with any new professional challenges that may arise.
And if you are still wondering whether or not to become a volunteer—let this be your sign. Come – you truly won’t regret it!