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Volunteer in Uganda
The Global Volunteer Network currently has opportunities to care for orphan children through our Christian-based partner organization in Uganda. Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in teaching, medical, construction, and community work. This program will give you a chance to make an important contribution to Uganda and while doing so gain an in depth experience of the country and its culture that will stay with you the rest of your life.
:: The Program
The program seeks to provide education and training to AIDS orphans (children whose parents have died of HIV/AIDS), and to help their families to become self-sustaining through initiating micro-income generating projects in Uganda, Africa. Some of the programs are part-time, and volunteers may need to select several options in order to fill their schedule while volunteering.
Volunteers can be involved in:
- Education & Training for AIDS Orphans: While the extended family has traditionally taken care of orphans in Uganda, the AIDS epidemic has resulted in many children living as beggars on the streets. Volunteers teach in schools, and take part in a children's outreach program on Saturdays. This is a full time program.
- Mother's & Widows Empowerment Program: The husband is the traditional breadwinner in the Ugandan family, and if something happens to him, his family is left to suffer. The women's empowerment scheme seeks to teach mothers and widows practical skills, so that they can support their family and keep their family in school. The women are taught to raise and sell pigs for profit, and volunteers are expected to have a knowledge of caring for animals and a willingness to build pig pens. This is a supplementary program, and volunteers should participate in other projects in order to fill their schedule.
- Primary Health Care Project: Our partner's Health Program aims to increase access to basic healthcare for rural people, decrease the prevalence of endemic disease and improve overall village health by providing public health projects and promoting health education in the villages. Our partner also aims to construct health care clinics in rural communities. This program requires a medical background, and is a full time program.
- Youth Sports Program: This program is run on Saturdays, where volunteers conduct sports workshops with youth who have dropped out of school. This is a supplementary program, and volunteers should participate in other projects in order to fill their schedule.
- HIV/AIDS Prevention & Counselling Program: This program uses culturally sensitive methods to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. There is very little awareness of HIV/AIDS among rural communities, and our program is directed specifically at youth in primary and secondary schools. Trained counsellors have developed educational materials for the local village population, and volunteers use these for the program. Volunteers need to have a strong interest and knowledge in HIV/AIDS, and previous experience in research or counselling is preferred. This is a supplementary program, which runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and volunteers should participate in other projects in order to fill their schedule.
- Community Development Program: This program teaches villagers a range of skills and knowledge in order to equip them to meet the challenges that rural Ugandan communities face. Villagers learn about sanitation, HIV and health, while they are also taught new skills to help them generate income and promote sustainable development in the region. The local people learn crafts and agricultural skills, rediscovering traditional Ugandan methods or learning new innovations using only local materials. This is a supplementary program, which runs only once a week or once a month, and volunteers should participate in other projects in order to fill their schedule.
All volunteers stay in private homes. Meals are cooked right in the home and feature a wide variety of tropical fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, breads and fruit beverages.
:: Program Location
The program is located in the Namasuba - Ndejje Village, Kanyanya Zone, Ndejje Parish in Wakiso District, which is 5 miles out of Kampala city.
.: Program Requirements
- be 18 years or older
- have no major health problems
- a medical background is required for the primary health care project
:: Program Schedule
Volunteers can stay from a period of two weeks to six months. Your stay can be extended beyond six months on a case-by-case basis (depending upon our partners requirements). You can start your placement at any time through out the year.
:: Program Cost
The cost of the program are as follows:
Global Volunteer Network - Application Fee: US $297.00. The application fee covers administration, marketing, program information, communication and direct support of our partner in Uganda. (This fee is paid to us before you leave for Uganda).
Uganda Program Fee
- Cost for 2 weeks will be US $400.00.
- Cost for 1 month will be US $600.00.
- Cost for 6 weeks will be US $900.00.
- Cost for 2 months will be US $1200.00.
- Cost for 3 months will be US $1800.00.
- Cost for 4 months will be US $2400.00.
- Cost for 5 months will be US $3000.00.
- Cost for 6 months will be US $3600.00.
The program fee covers administrative charge, project donation, airport pickup, transport to project, meals and accommodation during placement, and supervision. (This fee is paid directly to our partner organization before you arrive in Uganda).
You will need a weekly budget of up to US$20 to cater for all your other expenses like bottled water, personal costs, beverages and entertainment.
To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend you look here.
The other costs you will need to meet are:
Your flights, visa, shots, travel insurance, and departure tax.
.: Frequently Asked Questions
We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
Click here
.: Book Resources
We have a selection of books available that you may find useful if you decide to volunteer in Uganda.
Click here
:: Application Process
All, applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.
(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form via the link below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program.
2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.
3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will refund your application fee if you decide not to go.
4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as: country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!
5) Communication & Support: Throughout your volunteer placement we will communicate with you to see how you are progressing and discuss any issues.
Click here to apply for the Uganda Program.
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