SUMMER VOLUNTEER WORK ABROAD|VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AFRICA|OVERSEAS VOLUNTEERING WORK ABROAD

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DIVOG-Organization Policies

Safety
Safety has always been a top priority in our choice of programs and volunteer locations. For this reason the Volunteer Team maintains various mobile phone numbers since Ghana has quite a large area covered by mobile communication networks. Volunteers are advised to always keep these numbers by sight even on the day of arrival.This numbers are available 24/7 for emrgency and other relevant purposes.

Age
For most programs, participants must be at least 16+ years of age on their program start date. For participants under 16 on their program start date, we require a phone interview with both the participant and his/her parent or legal guardian before we can accept the participant into a program. We also require the parent/legal guardian to sign a consent letter mailed to us. Children who are at least 10 years of age may accompany their parent/legal guardian on a trip.

Program Fees
The full cost of the program fee must be paid in United State Dollars or its equivalent in British pounds or Euros before you are transported to the project site. Exceptions may be made should you encounter any difficulties in carrying your full amount with you on arrival but full settlement is due the next three days after arrival and placement. Should you have any alternative arrangements towards your payments, you are to communicate weeks before your arrival on the program and the volunteer team must agree to your arrangement before you deem it confirmed. All fees paid are non-refundable.

Ground Transportation
Ground transportation to and from the airport to the program site is included in the program fee. Travel is normally on public transport (buses, minivans). However, if volunteers want to use private transport (eg taxi) for long-distance, city-to-city travel, volunteers are responsible for those costs. Volunteers are also responsible for costs of daily transport from the accommodation to the program site, as well as extra sightseeing travel costs.

Group Discount
There is discount available for groups. For groups of 3 or more there is a discount off the program fees. The group must have the same start date and volunteer in the same location. Discuss this with our communication team for a reasonable percentage.

Cancellations
In the event that you decide to cancel your program, we must receive a letter or email from you informing us of the cancellation a week to your initially proposed program start date.

Insurance
Disaster Volunteers of Ghana neither provides nor requires participants to have insurance for their trip, such as medical or trip insurance. However, we strongly urge participants to purchase an insurance policy for their trip.

Gifts for Organizations
You as the volunteer is not obliged to donate gifts to the organization or the host family but should you be willing to donate a gift, please it would be in the best interest to inform the program coordinator and you find the best way to donate this gift without offending anyone in the process.

Academic Credit
Our participants may receive academic credit for their programs with Disaster Volunteers of Ghana. Normally, students find out the eligibility requirements for academic credit from their school, then the school provides Disaster Volunteers of Ghana with paperwork to complete and/or contacts us by phone.

Conflict Resolutions
Volunteers may encounter challenges and difficulties during their placement. If you require support, you must follow DIVOG's support procedure:
1. Attempt to resolve the issue yourself.
2. Contact your Program Coordinator to explain the issue and the steps you have taken to resolve it. Then together try to arrive at a solution.
3. Contact the DIVOG Volunteer team’s office, outlining the facts in writing. We will respond within 48 hours.
4. If you have a true emergency, such as medical problem or are in any danger, please call our team members phone numbers given to you during orientation which is answered 24/7.

Drugs and Alcohol Abroad
Alcohol may be consumed, within reasonable limits, by participants who are of legal age in the host country. Participants who choose to consume alcohol do so with the knowledge that they remain responsible for their actions at all times and are expected to drink responsibly. Alcohol is prohibited at your host family, volunteer location, and the Volunteer team office. Disaster Volunteers of Ghana prohibits the illegal distribution of alcohol to participants who are not of legal drinking age. Further, excessive and irresponsible drinking leading to intoxication and behaviour that interferes with the program or the rights of others is subject to immediate disciplinary action, and may result in dismissal from the program. Participants are prohibited from selling, using, or possessing any drugs that are considered by host country law to be illicit or illegal. Participants are cautioned that the possession of drugs is often dealt with harshly by host country law enforcement. Any drug infraction will be considered a grave violation of policy and will result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Use of Photos & Comments
Participants agree that we may use any photos that we or someone on our behalf take of them or any comments (written or verbal) they make during or in connection with their program for our promotional purposes, without obtaining the participant's specific permission or making any remuneration to them. We may include their name, age, city, and the dates and nature of their program with us.