Volunteer in Uganda - It Will Change You Forever...

Volunteer Programs

Volunteer in an Orphanage (Kampala)

As a volunteer in the orphanage project in Uganda, you can help provide basic necessities, emotional care and affection to orphan children who deserve and need it the most. Every year thousands of children in Uganda become orphans due to poverty, HIV/AIDS, malaria and other fatal diseases. It is estimated that over 2.2 million orphan children live in Uganda and nearly half of them have lost one or both parents due to HIV/AIDS alone. These children are emotionally vulnerable, financially desperate and struggle to survive. Lack of support leads them into dangerous situations such as prostitution, begging, stealing and living on streets. However, with volunteer efforts and funds donated from abroad, orphanage centers have been built to provide shelter, food, education and clothes to children. Unfortunately, these orphanages have poor infrastructure and lack resources and staff. Helping Abroad invites you to volunteer in an orphanage in Uganda to improve the lives of orphans between the ages of 2-16 years old. We have programs available in beautiful and bustling cities such as Entebbe, Jinja and Kampala. Many orphan children are awaiting your love and support so volunteer in Uganda now and give these children healthy lives, brighter futures and desired affection.

Educational Requirements and Project Skills

No specific qualifications or skills are required to volunteer in this program. However, you should be at least 18 years old. Knowledge of English and experience in teaching, nursing, construction, gardening or organizational skills are all highly beneficial. Volunteers must also be flexible, patient, caring and passionate about working with children and helping others.

Your Responsibilities as a Volunteer

As a volunteer in an orphanage in Uganda, you will focus on providing daily care and educational opportunities to the orphans. Volunteers can support children and orphanages in a variety of ways depending on the individual skills and interests. Daily activities for volunteers include:

• Teaching basic conversational English and other subjects such as math, art and science
• Developing extracurricular activities such as dance, arts, music, sports, etc.
• Helping children with various health issues and personal hygiene
• Teaching life-skills such as sewing, painting, building, gardening, etc.
• Housekeeping, cooking and serving food to the children
• Assisting orphanage administrations with operational support
• Helping children with homework and educational development
• Taking children on excursions such as sight-seeing, picnics, swimming or to the zoo
• Escorting children to and from school
• Visiting homes where children are with other caregivers and/or guardians

Please Note:The activities above are mere examples of volunteers’ daily activities, but this may change due to additional requests from orphanage staff members and teachers. Volunteering in this project can be challenging, therefore we recommend working closely with the orphanage staff to quickly adjust to the environment. You will receive your work schedule from local staff. You are only required to work for 3 to 4 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week, therefore, you will have ample time to relax and explore Uganda.

Teaching English in Uganda (Kampala)

If you love working with children, traveling and are looking for a unique and valuable teaching experience, than volunteer in Uganda teaching English! The aim of our program is to improve the standard of education in primary and secondary schools in the cities and outskirts of Entebbe, Jinja and Kampala. As tourism grows in Uganda, so does the importance of English, but unfortunately the majority of families cannot afford to send their children to private schools where English is offered. Sadly, public schools lack resources, qualified teachers and facilities. Wealth and education gaps widen as poorer children are excluded from employment opportunities, especially in the tourism industry. Working as a volunteer in Uganda in the Teaching English program, you will provide deprived children with educational, personal and professional opportunities for their futures and give them a competitive edge in the global economy. Join Helping Abroad and volunteer in Uganda to help local schools that are in severe need of qualified teachers. Explore Uganda, engage in cultural exchanges and provide students with greater education and brighter futures.

Educational Requirements and Project Skills

No specific skills, qualifications or experiences are required, although strong English skills are needed to teach English. You should have a passion for teaching and caring for children. Volunteers must be hardworking, patient, confident, enthusiastic and good with children. You should bring energy and enthusiasm to the classroom and your projects.

Your Responsibilities as a Volunteer

The Helping Abroad volunteer teaching English in Uganda project offers an array of formal and informal educational programs for children. The primary responsibility for volunteers in teaching English, but activities in Uganda may include:

• Teaching basic English and other subjects such as math, science, health and personal hygiene
• Planning and leading extracurricular activities such as dancing, games, music, sports, art, etc.
• Helping children successfully finish their homework
• Teaching children life-skills such as gardening, sewing, painting,
• Providing assistance to school administrations to help with operational tasks and curriculum development

Please Note: The above examples of activities may vary depending on individual skill and interests and the school schedule. Local teachers and staff members may also ask you to participate in other administrative activities or development-enhancing projects for the children. You will typically work for 3-4 hours a day, Monday to Friday. All other time you are free to relax and explore the beautiful country of Uganda. Please be aware that schools are closed for holidays three weeks at the end of April and all of August, December and January.

Healthcare/Medical Project (Kampala)

Volunteer in Uganda to work in clinics and hospitals and you will have the opportunity to gain professional medical experience, explore the rich medley of culture and tribes, enjoy natural beauty and most importantly, improve the healthcare in Uganda. Helping Abroad partners with many local hospitals and health clinics that desperately need your support. There are only 8 physicians per 100,000 patients, therefore the majority of people lack proper treatment. Each volunteer in Uganda working in hospitals and clinics works as a physician assistant and offer various services such as outpatient procedures, blood tests, family planning, treatment of minor injuries, community outreach and health education. As a medical volunteer in Uganda working in healthcare, you will forever change the lives of others and provide people with the care and medical attention they desire and deserve.

Educational Requirements and Project Skills

To be a medical volunteer in Uganda and work in clinics and hospitals, you must submit proof of a medical certification such as a medical ID, EMT, paramedic, nursing, etc. Due to liabilities, volunteers must be healthcare professionals and those who lack medical credentials may not participate in this project. You must also have basic English and be flexible when dealing with patients. For this project volunteers must be open minded, patient, enthusiastic, hardworking, resourceful, and willing to learn.

Your Responsibilities as a Volunteer

As a medical volunteer in Uganda working in clinics and hospitals, you will act as an assistant to local doctors and nurses. Depending on your experience and credentials, you may also work independently in a clinic or hospital. Volunteers help with outpatient care, give medications and deliver injections/immunizations. In addition, volunteers promote health education in local communities about general health, sanitation, personal hygiene and different types of diseases. Volunteer duties may include:

• Outpatient Department Services (OPD)
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin or "mean cell hemoglobin" (MCH) – blood tests checking for anemia-based condition
• Consultations
• Dispensing medications
• Injections/Immunizations
• Health Education
• Community Outreach
• Antenatal Services
• Deliveries
• Family Planning
• Stitching and dressing wounds
• Help with Personal Hygiene
• Keeping patient records
• Clinics/Hospitals administrative tasks

Please Note: The above examples of activities may vary depending on individual skills and interests and the needs of the hospital and/or clinic. You will be provided with a very flexible schedule from local teachers, doctors or nurses so that you can adjust in the new environment. Along with Helping Abroad in-country staff, these counterparts will support you throughout your project. You will normally work for 3-4 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. All other time you are free to relax and explore the beautiful country of Uganda.

HIV/AIDS Awareness Project (Moshi)

HIV/AIDS has a devastating impact on Uganda, destroying lives, families and economies. Each year, thousands of Ugandans die from the HIV/AIDS and only education will make the numbers decrease. Helping Abroad is partnering with local health and grassroots organizations to carry out HIV/AIDS awareness projects, but urgently needs volunteers. Work as a volunteer in Uganda to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS through community centers, home-based care, health services and education support. By educating local communities about HIV/AIDS, you can not only save lives and prevent pain, but also create cyclical awareness; those you teach will in turn educate others. As a volunteer in Uganda in the HIV/AIDS awareness project, you will have the amazing opportunity to comfort those who are affected, educate local communities and prevent HIV/AIDS from spreading—all while expanding your boundaries, traveling to an exotic and beautiful country and growing personally and professionally.

Educational Requirements and Project Skills

There are no specific skills or qualifications needed to join the HIV/AIDS Awareness project, but doctors, nurses and medical students are highly preferred. Some counseling skills and knowledge about HIV/AIDS is beneficial. You should be at least 18 years of age and have basic English skills. We expect you to be hardworking, open minded, enthusiastic, flexible, patient, honest and able to cope with different challenges.

Your Responsibilities as a Volunteer

As a volunteer in Uganda working for HIV/AIDS Awareness, you will meet at the project headquarters in Wairaka, Jinja to develop and plan projects. Volunteers perform field visits to towns such as Wairaka, Iganga and Mpumudde by walking or riding bicycles/motorbikes. Volunteers will take parts in activities such as:

• Providing comfort through counseling and support groups
• Delivering donated supplies such as food and clothes
• Taking care of the sick
• Taking sick people to TASO (The Aids Support Organization) in Jinja
• Administering medication to fight health concerns such as fevers, coughing, diarrhea, etc.
• Building or repairing homes

Please Note: The above examples of activities may vary depending on individual skills and interests and the needs of the your team. You will be provided with a very flexible schedule from local organization staff. Along with Helping Abroad in-country staff, these counterparts will support you throughout your project. You will normally work for 3-4 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. All other time you are free to relax and explore the beautiful country of Uganda. Please note this project can be very emotionally challenging.

Major FAQ's

• Who will meet me at the airport? What should I do if I am delayed or miss my flight? When should I arrive?

Please book your flight for Entebbe International Airport in Kampala, Uganda. The Helping Abroad country coordinator will be waiting for you at the "Arrival" gate. Please look for a person with both the Helping Abroad company logo and your name on a sign card. In case your contact person is not there, please contact the Helping Abroad office and we will immediately follow up on your contact persons’ whereabouts. Coordinators’ contact details are available on the pre-departure handbook. If your flight is delayed, immediately contact Helping Abroad so we can make adjustments to your program. Helping Abroad will be responsible for creating the necessary changes in your program.

The program fee covers expenses from the first day of the program to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program and/or stay beyond the last day of the program, you will be responsible for these expenses.

• What are the visa requirements to volunteer in Uganda?

Volunteers must acquire a tourist Visa in their home country prior to departure for Uganda. Please contact either our office or the local Uganda embassy to learn more about the process for obtaining a visa, timelines, visa fees and visa extensions. You will need to obtain a tourist visa (for contact information, use the name and address of our in-country coordinator and office, which you will receive in your pre-departure packet).

• What do I need to know about health and safety in Uganda?

Volunteers should be aware of all health and safety information before traveling to Uganda. You can read about health and safety in Uganda on the website below:

• WHO Uganda ( http://www.who.int/countries/en )
• What immunizations/vaccinations are recommended before arriving to Uganda?

We strongly recommended that volunteers obtain vaccinations before arriving in Uganda. You can speak with your health-care provider to determine which vaccinations you will need. Please read CDC recommendations about vaccinations and preventive medicine: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/Uganda.htm

• What is the local currency and exchange rate?

The local currency in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling. ATM cards are the best way to get money. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in airports and large hotels. It is a good idea to carry a credit card for large purchases and emergencies. Make sure you notify your bank that you will be out of the country and give them your expected arrival/departure dates. This will prevent your account from being locked and you will be advised about any fraudulent charges. In Uganda, many travelers of European descent are automatically classified as wealthy, therefore become targets for petty theft and scams. Please always be aware of your situations and keep all valuables and money concealed at all times. It is always best to go to the ATM machine in groups.

Please visit XE, a privately held online foreign exchange tool for rates. XE.com (http://www.xe.com/)

• How can I communicate with my family/friends while I am abroad? Is there Internet access?

If you have an unlocked cell phone that contains a SIM card, we recommend that you bring it because you can buy a SIM card upon arrival in the Entebbe International Airport. Phones are important to have for safety and communication with family and Helping Abroad staff. Internet cafes are widely available in Jinja and Entebbe.

• How is the climate in Uganda?

Uganda’s hottest months are February and March and the coolest months are July and August. The highlands that include the Lake Victoria basin (the largest lake in Africa) are in the western region of the country and are the wettest in the country. Average temperatures are maximum 30C and minimum 23C.

For accurate weather please visit ACCU Weather (http://www.accuweather.com/)

• What should I bring?

You can purchase basic necessities in Uganda at reasonable prices, but we suggest bringing the following:

• An unlocked mobile phone (you can use it after buying a sim card)
• Camera
• Sleeping bag
• Mosquito repellent
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Books about Uganda
• Map of Uganda
• Toiletries
• First aid kit
• Flash light
• Electricity adapter/converter
• Sun glasses
• Good shoes (for work and travel)
• Towel
• Should I bring gifts for my host family?

You are not required to bring a gift but it is common courtesy as a token of appreciation for hosting you. If you are working in orphanages or schools, you can bring items such as school supplies and games. Remember that many children will desire what you bring, so you may want to bring a large amount of one item (pencils, pens, notebooks, games, art supplies, etc).

NOTE:Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is derived from generic information about the country, and should not be used as a definitive travel guide. Travel information and situations abroad change constantly, and the information contained here may not be up to date. Participants should consult Helping Abroad staff or travel advisors to verify this information