Volunteer in Uganda community
Uganda Overview
Last August spaces - hurry to book
Volunteer in Uganda, work with children to help expand this exciting project which due to the support of volunteers over the past couple of years has grown month on month with strong community support. With ever increasing numbers of children arriving, extra hands, eyes and ideas for activities are always needed to help maintain order, fun and learning! Accommodation is all on site, so no travelling each day, just a few hundred yards walk across the field and you are there. Volunteers can also get involved with the local hospital, whatever your ability or healthcare background from work shadowing to midwifery. Also opportunities for cultural exchanges -staying with a local family for the day; helping out on their farm; clothes making; IT or visiting refugee settlements. Living on site with your fellow volunteers and with everything on hand you can truly relax and soak up the African culture and traditions from the comfort of your new home. Other free time activities include a visit to the lake, going on safari in the Queen Elizabeth National Park (allow 2-3 days), visiting refugee camps.
If you would like to get stuck in, are resourceful and would like the freedom and flexibility to try out your own ideas, voluntary work in Uganda at this growing friendly community and school project is for you. No teaching or childcare experience is needed to be a successful volunteer on this project.
The project is on site so unless you want to take your energy and ideas to other schools in the area no travelling is needed to volunteer each day. This makes it perfect for a no-hassle project where you will quickly feel you are 'at home'. Because there is so much to do, the local team recommend stays of 3 to 4 weeks to be able to fit in the children and the optional excursions and exploration of the local area.
Accommodation is comfortable basic typical African accommodation for the region in shared African style huts called 'Bandas'. Local project staff are available all year round to provide support and advice. The project manager often remarks she is probably the biggest employer in the region from water collectors to handymen. Read some of our volunteer stories.
If your budget allows, spend your free time visiting the untouched tropical rainforest, or Gorilla tracking in the Bwindi national park (trek permits are required as early as possible from your coordinator-contact us after booking for more info)
Media from Uganda
Country: Uganda
Book your placement with £125. Then pay £70 per week to volunteer in an amazing country in Africa.
Video - Below you'll find all the videos for Uganda so you don't have to search around whole the site!
Volunteer Pictures
Your memories
We have been sent some of the most lovely photos from volunteers at play and at work, they are truly inspirational.
Photo Album by volunteer Amy Lea
Photo Album by volunteer Christy Brockway
Photo Album by volunteer Louise Hobbs
Photo Album by volunteer Ryan Horton
What next?
If you would like to book over the phone or simply ask more questions please call us on 01603 627 007
See related video ‘How to book’
If you know where and when you want to go, then you can book online.
You can also change your date of arrival or country at any time.
Trip info for Uganda
Country: Uganda
Book your placement with £125. Then pay £70 per week for weeks one and two, week 3 onwards only £35 to volunteer in an amazing country in Africa.
Change lives and volunteer in Uganda 2013 - 2014
Volunteer in Uganda
Experience Ugandan life first-hand, as you are offered the chance to meet many new people and soak up local culture. Based in the South District of Uganda not far from Ntungamo, volunteers will feel rewarded as they experience the chance to improve the local quality of education whilst volunteering in this small but growing local nursery and primary school.
Assist the local teacher with classes, organise arts and crafts and outdoor activities. With ever increasing student numbers, every extra pair of hands is needed. You will be left feeling fulfilled as you have played a pivotal role on this project and see the smiles on the children’s faces because of the care and affection that was provided by you.
For those unsure about teaching or playwork, there are plenty of other opportunities to get involved in the community. Perhaps you would like to take part in a variety of activities, perhaps spending one day on a cultural exchange with a local family for the day, helping out with their farmwork and cooking. The next week you could spend in the hospital, work shadowing or participating depending on your background. Another day you might visit a refugee community, then spend 2 or 3 days on safari or relaxing at the lake.
Some lucky volunteers take time out to go trekking to see the famous gorillas in the mist. It is an amazing experience that you won’t soon forget. Having the opportunity to get so close to such beautiful creatures is a sure delight. Permits are required and a lot of notice to arrange this, please contact us for more.
Skills and Experience, there is no experience necessary for volunteering in Uganda. As long as you love the achievement of working with children and the community and have plenty of energy and enthusiasm, you will be totally fine.
What's included
Accommodation: Accommodation for volunteers is in African style huts called bandas in the school grounds, usually shared between 2 - 4 volunteers. Internet is available with the use of a dongle and there is a pool table, TV and DVD player, and flush toilets near to the bandas. There are All meals are currently provided on site for an additional £4 per day.
Airport pick-up: from Entebbe and transfer is available and is organised for all volunteers and starts at £55 for same day pick-up, transfer to bus station and bus to project. During your stay you will be supported informally by your fellow volunteers who have arrived before you in addition to the on site project team of teachers, housekeepers, water carriers, maintenance staff and other project helpers. An English speaking coordinator is on hand or easily reachable.
What's not included
Flights
Visas (obtain on arrival in Entebbe airport)
Insurance
Return airport transfer - coordinating team will help organise this for you
Local transport for excursions during free time
All meals are provided for approxinate £5 and is paid before travel
We consider this project ideal if you...
- Want to gain teaching experience within an informal friendly and homely environment.
- Want to live on site, yards away from your project.
- Want to volunteer in a classic African setting in an unspoilt location.
- Want to be able to join a project where you can feel quickly at home.
Highlights
Enjoy a project in a beautiful rural location.
Soak up local Ugandan ways of life.
Accommodation
Volunteers stay mostly in Bandas which are tradition African-style huts. These are usually shared between 2 - 4 volunteers. Each room has electricity, internet is available and there is a pool table and TV and DVD player. There are also flush toilets near to the bandas, you won't find these just anywhere!
Local support
In Uganda, there is plenty of local support, including: the local co-ordinators, the project manager, and local support staff. They are all on hand should you need help or assistance with anything.
Project resources and advice
Although volunteers are not required to bring anything with them, this project does lack some of the basic teaching materials. Volunteers are encouraged to buy Ugandan teaching materials after arrival, there is also a need for school uniforms and fun messy craft activities. The Ladybird reading series will also be useful and any sports equipment for 3 to 15 year olds. Volunteers are recommended to contact the coordinator shortly before arrival to see what is currently needed - however, do not buy these things at home, save your money and buy them in Uganda instead.
Health
There is a doctor close by and a hospital should you need the use of one, the project manager will help you with your transfer there.
What to take
Once you have applied and registered with Original Volunteers, you will receive an Information Pack via email that will have further details on the project in Uganda; in this email there will be a list of items to take and items that are best not to take.
How to apply
It is quick an easy to book with Original Volunteers. You can book online or call us on now on 01603 627 007 and book over the phone.
See related video ‘How to book’.
It costs £125 to book. Once book you can go to as many placements as you want within a year without having to pay the booking fee of £125 again.
The booking fee instantly books and reserves your place for any month you choose .We are very flexible. Just let us know if your plans change and spaces permitting we will put you on another list.
Fast facts - Project information
Project Duration: 4 weeks preferred to get the most out of the stay - Max 6 months
Location of project: Close to Ntungamo in the south of Uganda
Arrival Airport: Entebbe
Activities: Teaching children, organising and assisting different games and activities, cultural exchanges, IT, visiting other communities
Working Hours: Full time – 5 days out of 7 day week.
Getting to the project: Airport pick-up and transfer to the volunteer house is automatically arranged for all volunteers, once flights have been received.
Requirements: Minimum age 18
On arrival
The nearest airport to the project is Entebbe. An airport pick-up can be organised for you when we receive your flight details.
Food
Meals are currently provided due to the lack of shops and cafes within walking distance of the project. Ntungamo can be reached at the weekends or during free time for extra supplies (fruit, snacks etc).
Free time
During their free time volunteers visit the lake, the Queen Elizabeth National Park (an organised safari costs iro £200), explore the local villages and markets, visit refugee camps or spend the day with a local family. These can easily be set up and arranged with the help of the local co-ordinator after arrival. For those whose budget can stretch, gorilla trekking may be a possibility. Permits are required in advance and currently cost iro £500 - £600, contact us for updates once booked and allow plenty of time.
Not on your own
Although some volunteers travel with friends, the bigger majority travel alone and because everyone stays together on site it is quick and easy to make friends. It is possible to get in contact with other volunteers before your travel, and a lot of people tend to do this via the Buddy List. Some volunteers even plan to travel together and set this up themselves before they depart.
Things that you will need to organise yourself
Flights to Entebbe
Visa can be obtained on arrival
Travel Insurance
Any resources you wish to bring, or buy much needed Ugandan text books after arrival
When to pay for this project
An invoice will be sent by email approximately 30 days before travel, or sooner if travelling sooner. This is the easiest way to pay.
Uganda at a glance
Uganda is a landlocked country in the east of Africa, bordered by Kenya, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of The Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. It is often described as Africa condensed, with the best of everything the continent has to offer packed into one small but stunning destination. Uganda's star attraction is the mountain gorilla, one of the rarest animals on the planet, who is also despite his huge size, one of the most peaceful. There are only about 700 left and small groups of guided tourists can get close up to one of the family groups in the Bwindi national park.
Uganda is located in East Africa. It is bordered by Kenya to the east, Sudan from the north, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and from the southwest by Rwanda. Uganda’s name derives from the Buganda kingdom. It’s population is about 30 million. Uganda gained it’s independence in 1962. It was seen by others to be a lesser country in Africa until in the 1970s Idi Amin Dada became president.
Climate
Uganda has an equatorial climate but the project is high up at 1500 metres so don't forget to take a rainmac and sweater with you for the evening, even if the sun is strong during the day! Elsewhere in Uganda average temperatures are 25 Celsius and the lowest is 16 Celsius.
