Free Volunteer Opportunity in Uganda

We encourage volunteers to donate to the project within their financial ability. We would also appreciate (optional) small gifts for the children including bedding, shoes, clothes, games, toys, books, and pencils.

Type of projects

We run a wide range of projects throughout the year so that you will have options on where you want to spend your time. We also encourage volunteers to submit ideas for potential projects that they would be interested in implementing.

Construction

Construction projects are dependent on resources and finances. We are currently planning on building new buildings including schools and orphanages as well as accompanying infrastructure. This project is open to engineers, construction workers, and all who could assist in this project.

Medical Work

Volunteers have the option to spend their time helping out at the healthcare centers in the area. You will assist with caring for patients with injuries, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and other illnesses. Nurses, doctors, and other individuals who have experience in this field are welcome.

Orphan Care

For this project, volunteers have the opportunity to care for children in the Children’s Home. You will play with them, give them attention and love, and help them learn. You may also need to help with household duties including preparing meals and washing clothes. You only need to be enthusiastic about working with children to participate in this project.

Women Empowerment

You will be placed with different local groups in the area that are determined to support the empowerment of women and to build marketable skills for women. You could instruct courses to these women, assist with developing programs, or help to establish activities. All we need is your passion!

Teaching

Our orphanage also features a small kindergarten and we partner with a nearby local school. Volunteers will instruct classes that they feel comfortable with. We do not require prior teaching experience, but please be confident in the material that you will teach.

Working hours

Volunteers are expected to work for five days each week and 8 hours each day, dependent on the project.

Things to know!

Health and Safety

We are currently located in Eastern Uganda in a small village only a 10 minute drive from Jinja town center. The area is very safe to walk around any time of day or night, crime rates are very low. However, like most places, caution should however be taken at night if walking around alone. Specific caution should be taken when walking on the roads at night as lighting is minimal and there are no pedestrian footpaths.

There are a number of common diseases here in Uganda that are foreign to our volunteers. We recommend that volunteers be fully aware of all health precautions before entering Uganda and that they have the correct vaccinations and medication from their doctors. Hospitals, doctors, and pharmacies are available in Jinja if medical attention is required.

Transport

Two of the most common forms of day-by-day transport include the boda-boda or shared taxis. The boda-bodas are motor cycle taxis which normally take two passengers and cost approximately 2000-5000 Ugandan shillings for a 10 minute ride to Jinja. The shared taxis are in the form of mini vans and can hold up to 18 passengers. The cost is normally 500-1000 Ugandan shillings for a 20 minute ride to Jinja.

Additional expenses

Below are some of the additional expenses you may encounter during your stay in Uganda. The prices indicated are only approximate.

• SIM card and phone credit – 8,000 Ugandan shillings (note: phone connection is fine where we live)
• Internet dongle with 2GB for one month – 60,000 Ugandan shillings (note: the internet connection where we live is slow but still works normally. In Jinja the connection is much faster)
• Transport into town – Refer to transport section of this document
• Water (5L bottles) – 3500 Ugandan shillings

Tourist activities:

• Safari – 400USD
• White water rafting – 125USD
• Quad biking – 90USD

Additional things to know about Uganda

Be flexible! In Uganda more often than not things change at the last minute or things take a lot longer than you might be used to. Remember that Uganda is a third world county and try to be open-minded and adjust to the way things operate here.

Try new things! While you are in Uganda, why not try to immerse yourself in the Ugandan culture properly. Maybe try to learn to cook the way we cook, or try to learn to wash your own clothes. Try ride on a boda-boda, or get your hair braided. Maybe go with the kids one day to fetch water, or try to learn to balance things on your head. At the end of the day this experience may be a once in a lifetime one for you, so why not try to make the most of it and have fun at the same time.

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