Ăñigo Chivite Araiz. Volunteer at the St. John of God Hospital in Amrahia, Accra, Ghana and worker at the Parc Sanitari de Sant Boi
"I have learned that the strength of a people is not measured only by its capacity for growth and development, but by its ability to do so by regenerating its identity from the roots and preserving its essence at every step."
During my participation at Saint John of God Hospital Amrahia, in Accra, Ghana, I had the opportunity to collaborate for 5 weeks in the clinical analysis laboratory. The main task of the center is to provide health services to the community, and my role consisted of supporting various laboratory activities.
Among my main tasks, I was involved in patient registration, processing of analytical samples and distribution of results. My role was to be one more member of the team, always available to support in whatever was needed, from patient and data management to sample analysis.
One of the most notable initiatives was my contribution to the analysis of past hospital records. After learning about the general operation of the laboratory, I identified the possibility of collaborating by reviewing the annual records. My analysis included data such as the number of patients seen per day, the types of tests performed, and the samples taken. With this information, I created a series of graphs that could be helpful in managing the laboratory staff and its resources, anticipating the influx of patients depending on the time of year or even the day of the week, especially during seasonal malaria peaks.
From the very first moment, the welcome from the brothers at the centre was exceptional. They made me feel like one of them, integrating me into their routine and being very attentive to me. The relationship with the hospital professionals was also very positive; they were open to explaining their functions to me, making me part of their daily routine and sharing their research with me.
One of the most significant lessons I took away from this experience is the cultural resilience of the Ghanaian people. I was able to see how they are actively working on regenerating their identity, reinforcing their cultural roots through the education of the youngest children, and recovering what was taken from them in the past. Despite the strong influence of Western culture, they have managed to adapt it to their own nature, maintaining their essence.
My advice to those who are considering volunteering internationally is not to hesitate and go for it. If you are already considering it, it is because you have that inner restlessness that can only be satisfied by living the experience. You should not fear the unknown, because the drive and curiosity will be much stronger than any initial aversion.
As for practical advice, I would recommend that you try to familiarize yourself with the space you will be in, both in terms of accommodation and the services available.
It is also important to know the procedures for obtaining a visa in advance.
