General Info
Isaac Ssamba came up with an idea to build an organization that puts money and skills into the grassroots and underprivileged communities of Mukono, Bushenyi, Gulu, Jinja and Gomba Uganda. So now there is a possibility of working with our partner organization in those districts above.
Volunteer Uganda is not-for-profit program started by Isaac Ssamba and former volunteers as a liaison for non-profit and self-supporting volunteers looking to work directly with grass root organizations and programs with a variety of directives. This program is open to both national and international volunteers. Under Beacon of Hope Uganda we recruit and place foreign and local volunteer to grassroots projects in Uganda.
We manage/oversee the running of a number of projects originally set up by locals, but looking for outside help in the form of advise, financial support, long term support and hands on help. Significant donations and enthusiastic volunteers have allowed us to achieve much in the short time we've been here. We also have information on other projects in Uganda that we are not directly involved with, and so can refer people to these, especially if people have special interests or skills.
We focus on enabling people to experience life in African developing countries and to raise funds for the host projects volunteers work on. Currently Volunteer Uganda places volunteers to Uganda Local CBOs and NGOs; however, there is room for new openings. Projects are practical hands-on work, such as building school classrooms, working with orphaned children, teaching or helping the development of a local initiative.
Volunteer Uganda – currently has opportunities aimed at providing primary and secondary education to needy children and community outreach and counseling with our partner organization in Uganda. This provides an opportunity to experience Ugandan life first-hand while working to improve your host community.
We have many opportunities for volunteers. If you're interested or talented in a specific area, we most likely can use you! Volunteer Uganda is proud to work amongst various faiths and backgrounds.
At Volunteer Uganda we strive to give our volunteers the big-picture about world poverty and development. When you volunteer with us, we ask that you get involved in all aspects of our programs. If you are volunteering at one of our partner’s project, this means that you will be involved in the hands-on teaching and care-giving, as well as the administration and general management of the organization. In this way, we aim to give you a better understanding about issues concerning modern development, education and non-profit organizations.
We have a great need for volunteers in Uganda, and can arrange a wonderful trip for you to serve on! The longer the better! If you are interested in volunteering either in a rural area or semi-urban projects, please just contact us and will reply you as soon as possible.
Weekly Tasks
All our volunteers will immediately be assigned a task that they can work on from the day of their arrival. You will be able to choose which tasks you would like to help on. This work will help to introduce you to other volunteers who are working with us.
With all our volunteers from around the world dedicating a few hours of their time and expertise to Volunteer Uganda, we are able to keep our operational and administration costs to a minimum. This allows us to offer volunteering positions without charging high fees. We hope you will participate in Volunteer Uganda to make volunteering an affordable experience for everyone.
The Program
Our partners in Uganda have projects based in Mukono, Jinja, Bushenyi and Gomba Districts. All projects are aimed at providing primary and secondary education to needy children and community outreach and counseling to youth and adults. Most projects have little or no resources, so foreign volunteers with different ideas and experiences are highly valued. Please note that all projects require volunteers who are self-starters and can conduct their daily activities with minimal supervision. Specific daily schedules and activities will be determined between volunteers and their coordinator upon arrival. 3 meals are provided each day which will consist of local foods, such as matooke (mashed plantain), posho (corn meal), potatoes, and rice. They are generally served with beef, fish, peas, beans, or groundnut sauce. Bread, eggs and fruits are available for breakfast. Vegetarians are also accommodated.
Village Projects:
We partner and work with a number of small community based organizations that provide counseling, care, and education for rural people and orphaned and underprivileged children. Some of these placements focus exclusively on teaching primary or secondary school. Others include both teaching and community outreach components. Please inform us of which activities you are most interested, so we can best choose your program.
Village teaching placements can include arts and crafts, structured play, music/singing, sports, health, and academics. The main focus is to provide children with a loving, creative environment in which to flourish.
Village community outreach placements can include youth mentoring, HIV prevention and AIDS care, home visiting, sanitation and hygiene, public health, women's groups focusing on vocational skills and women's rights, and teaching modern organic farming methods. For volunteers with a medical background, placements can include working with health-based organizations.
A village placement is particularly appropriate for volunteers with great ideas and enthusiasm for grassroots development. This is a real opportunity for deep cultural exchange.
However, if you wish to work in a very remote area with HIV affected orphans, we partner with project in Gomba and Bushenyi districts in western Uganda. This is the area where HIV/AIDS most devastated Uganda. The organizations are focused on bringing aid, education, and love to the orphans of the area, many of whom lost their parents due to AIDS related illnesses.
Volunteers help with feeding, organizing play, arts and crafts, hygiene and HIV/AIDS education appropriate to the children’s' age level (3 to 12 years). Volunteers may be asked to help with administrative work such as budgeting, updating paperwork, writing proposals, and maintaining personal files on the children. (Please note: there is a significant language barrier between volunteers and the children. Local teachers will have to help you with translation.) This is a challenging but amazing program for volunteers with experience organizing children, such as camp counselors, day care workers and people who love children. Bring your games, songs, and enthusiasm to the village!
For all village placements, accommodation and daily meals will be provided within the village of placement, and will range from private apartments to rooms in private homes. No more than 2 volunteers will be placed together in any village placement.
Mukono Town Council Projects:
Primary Schools:
We partner with several private primary schools in Mukono town that cater exclusively to the education, housing and feeding of needy children and orphans. Volunteers are involved in arts and crafts, structured play, music/singing, sports, health, and academics. The main focus is to provide children with a loving, creative environment in which to flourish.
Volunteers working in Mukono Town Council (up to 4 at one time) will be housed together in shared accommodation in a large apartment in Mukono Town, a semi-urban area. Others will be housed by their host projects
Mukono Youth Project:
This is a project promoting grassroots development in Uganda. Volunteers work alongside Ugandan counselors in a variety of programs, directly benefiting 10 rural communities, which can include the following activities:
Youth Mentoring: Public speaking and mentoring of youth and youth leaders respecting HIV/AIDS, public health/hygiene, family planning, condom use, creativity workshops promoting small business development, the importance of basic education, and women's rights and empowerment. This is the most important and most common activity undertaken by volunteers.
Community Outreach: Includes home visits to elderly, disabled, and persons living with HIV/AIDS to keep company, offer relief, and assess needs. This is a good opportunity for volunteers to see the daily challenges faced by marginalized groups in Uganda.
Administration: Budgeting, planning, fund-raising, and handicraft marketing.
Vocational Training: Teaching computer skills, hairdressing, and tailoring.
As none of the Mukono Youth projects are full-time, volunteers take part in a flexible schedule, which includes some or all activities offered by the program. The exchange of ideas, experiences, and culture is encouraged. This project requires walking long distances in the sun. Volunteers are encouraged to bring a sleeping bag, and protective clothing and shoes.
Volunteers will be given a private room at the Mukono town headquarters of the organization as their home base. As most work is done in surrounding villages, volunteers will be billeted short-term at various villages during their stay.
Program Location
Programs are based in:
* Mukono District (30 km out of Kampala city). Volunteers are placed in Mukono Town and in surrounding villages.
* Gomba District (200 km out of Kampala city). Volunteers are placed in Kanoni and in surrounding villages.
* Jinja District (50 km out of Kampala city). Volunteers are placed in Jinja Town and in surrounding villages.
* Bushenyi District (650 km out of Kampala city). Volunteers are placed in Ishaka (Orphanage home).
Program Requirements
Volunteers for the Uganda program must:
* be 18 years or older
* have no major health problems
* be able to walk distances up to 5km daily
* obtain a police check from your home country prior to volunteering
* sign a general waiver of liability
* have a positive and outgoing personality
Program Schedule
Volunteers can stay from a period of one month to 3 months. Your stay can be extended beyond 3 months on a case-by-case basis (depending upon our partners’ requirements and your ability to obtain an extended visa). You can start your placement on the 1st or 15th of each month.
School terms vary from year to year but are approximately as follows: Feb 1 to April 20, May 20 to August 20, Sept 15 to November 30. Volunteers are not placed in teaching projects outside of these times. Please also note that exams take place at the end of each term and normal class schedules will end prior to that. Short term volunteers are advised to start earlier in the term.
As a general rule we can not place short-term volunteers beginning January 1st as all projects take a few weeks to get going in the New Year. We advise you to plan your arrival for January 15th, or February 1st in the case of teaching placements.
Program Cost
An important goal of Beacon of Hope Uganda is to help people get directly involved in making positive change. We welcome anyone who comes with a kind heart, open mind and sharing attitude.
We are a small organization so all volunteers must cover their own expenses, but we can offer free accommodations. The children absolutely love meeting new people and their sweet personalities will almost certainly put a smile in your heart.
Volunteering is such a wonderful experience; you have the opportunity to teach and learn at the same time!
Costs
Although we can afford to offer free accommodations to volunteers; we expect a volunteer to contribute U.S $ 350 per month, which goes directly to food, laundry, electricity and water for domestic use (not for drinking). BoHU is now able to offer free accommodations to all potential volunteers.
If you are working with our partners:
Beacon of Hope Uganda donates $200 to the organization where you will be working and this is will cover your food, laundry, electricity and water for domestic use. BoHU expects the volunteer at least to contribute $100 to the project where you work as a donation for smooth running of that specific project. The fee does not cover airline tickets, visas, vaccinations, drinking water, leisure activities, or medical services. You’ll likely need $20-$40 a week to support a basic life which includes drinking water, internet, transport, and a few western treats such as coffee and chocolate. Safaris and white water rafting are a bit more expensive.
Our goal at BoHU is to grow and change with the community.
Breakdown of the costs you may meet: (All costs in U.S $)
Airline tickets, visas, vaccinations (it will depend)
Airport pick up at Entebbe - $75 (Once)-payable upon arrival
Food, Laundry, Electricity & Water for domestic use- $ 350 (Monthly)- payable upon arrival
Personal weekly expenses - $ 50 (varies)
Project donation; at least $100 (Optional)
We don’t charge program fee to volunteers, what we need is skills sharing and productivity
Apply for the Uganda Program
Your application process is free and seamless and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of organizations options that will include all projects run by that particular organization. We also are one of the few organizations that offer FREE volunteering placements with FREE accommodations
