Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa

Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa (VPWA) is a volunteer-driven, non-profit NGO based in Ghana, which aims to promote opportunities for the underprivileged through sustainable development initiatives.

History
Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa was founded in 2007 by Ghanaian social entrepreneur Hayford Siaw. Initially set up to offer only international volunteer placement programs in Anglophone West African countries, the organization and its partners have since expanded in scope. With the help of volunteers across the international community, the organization now implements strategic sustainable development initiatives through Economic Empowerment Initiatives, Environmental Reclamation programs, Microfinance & Leasing.

Mission and objectives


VPWA work is based on its commitment to fulfill the UN Millennium Development Goals, thus defending an integrated approach to sustainable development. That means that its projects not only aim to lift people out of poverty but also to promote education, reduce illiteracy, eradicate incidents of child labor, advance energy and environmental policies, strengthen resources to prevent and respond to chaotic events, and fight the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

VPWA also networks with other organizations, companies and institutions to implement solution-oriented projects.

Microfinance and leasing
VPWA set up its microfinance arm in 2009, called MicroQuips, offering micro loans to micro entrepreneurs as a measure against poverty. In this first year of the program VPWA secured 80 loans for the women of Ghana, loaning out GHC11,126 or $8,192.

In 2011, VPWA spearheaded the concept of Microleasing in the region, loaning simple tools and machineries to micro entrepreneurs to boost their production and increase efficiency. Aimed at increasing the economic participation of women, the project has served to promote gender equality and improve the welfare of beneficiaries.

Kick Malaria Out (KMO) Campaign
Launched in 2009, VPWA runs an annual campaign aimed at generating awareness about malaria in West Africa. KMO strives to educate participants about the rate at which malaria is killing and to teach measures that can help prevent and minimize the disease and its consequences.

Volunteers conduct workshops in countries such as Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia, promoting space spraying/ aerial insecticide dispersal as the most viable solution to permanently eradicate malaria in Africa.

Deworm Ghana
VPWA's annual Deworm outreach program involves volunteers going from school to school, community to community, treating children against worm infections by administering Mebendazole and Albendazole. Volunteers also encourage parents to regularly seek deworming treatment for their children and explain how cultivating habits such as wearing shoes outside, avoiding non-potable water, and washing fruits and vegetables before consumption can curb the incidence of worm infections.

Green Ghana Volunteers
Started in 2010, Green Ghana Volunteers is a project involving the planting of Moringa Oleifera trees around the region. The tree is arguably one of the world's most useful trees, as almost every part of the moringa tree can be used for food or has some other beneficial property. In the tropics, it is used as forage for livestock, and in many countries, moringa micronutrient liquid, a natural anthelmintic (kills parasites) and adjuvant (to aid or enhance another drug) is used as a metabolic conditioner to aid against endemic diseases in developing countries. Leaves can be eaten fresh, cooked, or stored as dried powder for many months without refrigeration, and reportedly without loss of nutritional value. Moringa is especially promising as a food source in the tropics because the tree is in full leaf at the end of the dry season when other foods are typically scarce.

By planting the moringa trees on a large scale, the project aims to use low cost resources to generate incomes and create jobs, and in the process rehabilitate degraded land. The cultivated Moringa oleifera leaves are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and protein. In addition, they boost food security, foster rural development, and support sustainable landcare, all useful characteristics against the backdrop of Ghana's industrially ravaged landscape and frequent dry seasons.

VPWA Children Centre
VPWA runs a Children Centre conveniently located in the small rural village of Darmanganhuntem near Nsawam in the Eastern Region. VPWA Children Centre provides improved child care, health, and education, towards the well being of disadvantaged children below the age of 15.

Volunteering
Since 2007, VPWA has been engaged in volunteer recruitment and placement. The recruitment process allows both skilled professionals and students to work with VPWA and its partner projects, and contributing directly to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Between 2007 and 2016, over 1500 Volunteers from 70 countries have participated in VPWA's projects in Ghana. Those unable to travel to Ghana are given the opportunity to work virtually with VPWA through the United Nations Volunteers Online Volunteering Service.

Partnerships

 * Street Library Ghana