Volunteers safety is one of our primarily concern so we have designated a provision of security for the benefit of both volunteers and AEO. This is the most important part of the service we offers you.
Being a Volunteer requires changes in lifestyle preferences and habits in deference to host country cultural expectations to minimize security risks. Choices in dress, living arrangements, mean of travel, entertainment, and companionship may have a direct impact on how Volunteers are viewed, and thus treated, by their communities. Navigating the differences in gender relations may be one of the most sensitive and difficult lessons to learn, but one that can have a direct impact on Volunteers' security and the level of protection provided by the local community. Mature behavior and exercising sound judgment will enhance personal security.
 

How Safe Is Aeo?
Precise information about reported incident rates, by country and crime type, is available in the AEO Annual Statistical Report of Crimes against Volunteers, as well as in each Peace AEO's community section on preparing to Volunteer. Based on feedback from the Annual Volunteer Survey, the vast majority of Volunteers feel safe in the areas where they live and work.
Your safety and security is our prime concern so we have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your placement with peace of mind.

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Our Guaranty Support
Volunteers are strongly encouraged to report safety concerns and incidents to AEO staff. Staff has been trained and is prepared to provide legal, logistical, administrative, and advocacy support to Volunteers who are victims of crime at workplace and other relevant place concerned. Staff discusses all available options with affected Volunteers, and strict privacy controls are in place to protect Volunteers' confidentiality. We take your security abroad very seriously. We only send volunteers to places that are safe and politically stable. If they are not, we don't go. We are constantly in contact with the Police, immigration, and vigilante group in placement community regarding safety and stability. Of course, we have the added security of our own overseas staff who knows the local area in detail.

Placement Details
AEO makes provision of details to volunteers on his/her allocated placement. We therefore provide addresses, occupation and of your host family, names, photos of the house, and other information relating your placement.

Induction
A Welcome Pack with details of the local office and other volunteers, maps, and other useful information (such as banks, doctors, and public transport). A tour of the area on local transport that you'll need to use regularly.(such as tro-tros in Ghana. We'll advise you on local customs and what to expect while you are away and help you feel confident in your new environment.

Accommodation
AEO accommodation is the hostile family system (living with a local family) from a well-mannered virtue. Management is responsible for providing your accommodation and food for the period of your placement. As part of your placement, your sleeping arrangements may be private or shared (depending on the number volunteers), and you will be required to share a bathroom and toilet facilities. All accommodation is checked regularly by our overseas staff. Accommodation is only accepted if it is clean, hygienic, and comfortable. We strive to have at least one member of the family be able to speak basic English, and the family will understand AEO’s aims. They must also be interested in having an English speaker to stay. Detailed records are kept of every host family, and these are updated after inspection visits. Checks are made before and during volunteers' stays.
AEO’s accommodation has a standard rate for a volunteer to reside and enjoy the program to the fullest without any difficulties.

​​​​​​​ Pre-Departure Advice
AEO provide guidance around wearing appropriate clothing and displaying culturally-sensitive behavior, and it also outlines the steps that volunteers need to take in the event of an emergency or serious incident. Once you've been accepted on to our projects you'll receive a personalized information about applying for a visa, packing lists, and cultural advice about the country you are visiting. Our highly experienced Coordinating Advisor will contact you once you have applied and are always available to give advice and answer any questions you may have - both before you go and while you are away.

Meeting On Arrival & Departure
AEO stands unique when it come in-terms of picking volunteers on arrival and sending them off on departure. Previously, volunteers are only picked on arrival without sending them off on departure like how most NGO’s operate but request from most volunteers has come to our understanding to send volunteers off on departure as well(unless you request otherwise). We use our own members of staff to pick volunteers up from the airport. You will be met by someone carrying a AEO sign, wearing AEO uniform with a staff tag or id, who will welcome you with your full name. They will carry some form of identification that you can validate.

Relationship Between Management And Volunteer
Regardless of whether a volunteer is staying in the volunteer house or in a homestay, the level of supervision is the same. Beyond the interaction at mealtimes, orientation briefings, project briefings and each day on the project, our staff regularly check-in with volunteers at the accommodation to ensure everything is going well. Our volunteers are also provided with contact details of our local staff who and can speak with them any time at all (24/7). We maintain a cycle of monitoring all volunteer accommodation and placements. On arrival, our staff will make a final check that your accommodation and arrangements for your placement are acceptable. The office acts as a point of contact with our staff and a general meeting point for volunteers.