Volunteer in Uganda

Join this grassroots community focused organization, based in the Wakiso district, aimed at improving the lives of locals through income generating activities, skill development, primary and secondary education for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), and providing HIV/AIDS/health support, educational outreach and sensitization information.

Volunteers contribute to the ongoing projects

Craft making program - started as a widow group initiative with the purpose of improving the livelihood of local widows. The craft project has the added benefit of protecting the environment, since the beads are handmade from recycled newspaper and magazines. The objectives 1) To raise household earnings of widows and orphaned families 2) To increase access to education services by disadvantaged children 3) To combat the magnitude of pollution in the environment

Energy saving program - geared at mitigating environmental degradation. The program focuses on briquette making and use of highly energy saving rocket stoves. The objectives 1) To conserve heating energy during cooking 2) To create gainful employment 3) To mitigate environmental degradation 4) To reduce on household expenditure.

Home visits program - to homes of the vulnerable folks in the community. During these visits the following are discussed malaria prevention, hygiene and sanitation, food and nutrition. Provide relief items to beneficiaries. Relief items include rice, maize flour, beans, sugar, soya flour, soap, clothes, shoes.

Chicken program - a chicken rearing expansion project which has been expanded quickly to 1,710 layers with a goal of 4000 layers there is much work still to be done. To realize greater impact/contribution of this project towards program sustainability, a larger expansion is needed. At that rate the program would be able to produce 3800 eggs with a 95% chicken survival rate. Income from selling eggs and poultry will help other local startups with their production and further local expansion.

This program has volunteers involved in a variety of daily projects. Some days may be work in the field, others attending a workshop at a health center, visiting rural villages to deliver aid. Enthusiasm, a good sense of humor and helping spirit are a requirement. Volunteer opportunities are open to all people 17 years and older regardless of ability. Our most productive volunteers have been over 50 years old who have been able to contribute their experience with farming, construction, environmental solutions.

Volunteering in Uganda needed in support of two health centers in the Bulenga community. These health facilities offer maternity services and diagnosis, treatment of malaria, typhoid, diarrhea, as well as provide contraceptive services, immunization for infants, antenatal care, ultrasound scan services, and HIV/AIDS counseling and testing.  Volunteer will also be able to participate in health education focused on providing expectant and nursing teen mothers who visit these health centers.  Main topics include family planning and reproductive health, dietary nutrition for babies, and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Weekly immunization services are provided at the health center, as well as some outreach into remote village areas.

Due to the high number of patients, many are referred to larger hospitals in the city. The two health centers rely on temporary health workers, and volunteers are very much needed to support the staff at both facilities.

Volunteer with medical training/expertise and knowledge in the medical, nursing, midwifery or public health fields (students welcome) can help by providing curative and preventive health services. This is a challenging medical placement due to lack of facilities. Volunteers need to bring their own medical scrubs, gloves, mask for personal use.

In a village school which has limited means and supplies. Teaching experience is not required. Children attend school without a separation of ages, so you can expect 5-6 year olds with 12 year olds in the same class. You can begin working with some children, teaching English and basic math. Native English speakers are in high demand and volunteers are anxiously welcome at the school.

School terms vary from year to year but semesters dates are approximately:

• February 1 to April 30
• May 20 to August 30
• September 15 to November 15

Volunteers can assist with the physical upkeep of the school; painting, decorating, mending desks etc. Most important volunteers should try to develop activities  that can be sustained in the future.

Uganda needed in support of two health centers in the Bulenga community. These health facilities offer maternity services and diagnosis, treatment of malaria, typhoid, diarrhea, as well as provide contraceptive services, immunization for infants, antenatal care, ultrasound scan services, and HIV/AIDS counseling and testing.  Volunteer will also be able to participate in health education focused on providing expectant and nursing teen mothers who visit these health centers.  Main topics include family planning and reproductive health, dietary nutrition for babies, and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Weekly immunization services are provided at the health center, as well as some outreach into remote village areas.

Due to the high number of patients, many are referred to larger hospitals in the city.  The two health centers rely on temporary health workers, and volunteers are very much needed to support the staff at both facilities.

Volunteer with medical training/expertise and knowledge in the medical, nursing, midwifery or public health fields (students welcome) can help by providing curative and preventive health services.  This is a challenging medical placement due to lack of facilities. Volunteers need to bring their own medical scrubs, gloves, mask for personal use.

Volunteer Uganda in one of two local orphanages in the Wakiso district, located outside of the city of Kampala. The village orphanage and school not only provide a home and safe haven this is where the children have classes.

Most of these children have lost parents to HIV/Aids. Some have been abandoned, and they know abuse, hunger and fear. The orphanage strives to provide a better future for some of the most vulnerable children in Uganda. As a volunteer, you will primarily assist with the daily care of the kids;  getting them ready for school, brushing teeth, reading to them.  Afterschool activates  you can play games, arrange activities, create arts & crafts projects and share your time and caring with these wonderful children.

Prior experience not necessary, volunteers should have a lot of patience, an open mind and a sense of compassion. The children range in age from 3yrs-13yrs old.

Join this grassroot environmental project aimed to raise awareness about solar health initiatives which can benefit vulnerable communities and individuals living in extreme energy poverty. The program is focused on helping existing social service organizations to improve their health, wellness, educational, economic, and environmental outcomes (schools, health centers, rural communities) by using solar lanterns.

Why light? Because light powers our lives. The gift of a portable solar light to a family living in poverty and darkness means a brighter tomorrow. Solar light outreach and education programs are focused on vulnerable communities including at-risk mothers, orphans, children and adults with disabilities, community elders, and students.

The project’s objectives are:

• To promote solar lantern usage among communities in the very remote areas where conventional hydro-electric power supply is inaccessible
• To support HIV/AIDS widows to set up and sustainably operate income generating businesses using the large solar lanterns which have cell phone charging capacity
• To generate sustainable income for the organization through procurement and sale of solar lanterns to needy customers at subsidized prices

In Uganda, especially in villages, the primary lighting input in these off-grid communities is kerosene, which is expensive and responsible for high rates of childhood burns, poisonings, respiratory infections, and headaches. Worse, kerosene lighting is a contributor to house fires and global climate change.

Volunteers will be part of the distribution of solar lamps as well as:

• Solar outreach and education - The goal is to promote great opportunities for those in need. With access to the right resources, people can become empowered by their own abilities and gain the confidence to fulfill their potential. Visits to local schools, orphanages, to promote solar light usage and distribution of lanterns.
• Solar lights for off-grid families - Combating energy poverty is something taken seriously, and the local team works each and every day to make a positive impact.
• Solar health centers - donating solar systems to rural off-grid health centers.

This village school has children ranging from 4yrs to 12 years.  You would be teaching English, math, and other subjects.  After school activities like sports, and games can be shared with the kids also. Teaching experience is not required. You can begin as a teaching assistant and then work in small groups with children in need of extra attention.

School terms vary from year to year but semesters dates are approximately:

• February 1 to April 30
• May 20 to August 30
• September 15 to November 15

Volunteers can assist with the physical upkeep of the school; painting, decorating, mending desks etc. Most important volunteers should try to develop activities  that can be sustained in the future.

As a volunteer in this project you will have the opportunity to try different roles and projects, dependent on your interests and skills. These volunteer opportunities do not require specialized skills (although these would be an advantage), and we accept volunteers for both short and long-term placements, all the year round. Volunteers certainly gain an amazing life experience from their participation in our placement program. On first arrival, most volunteers sample all the projects before selecting the tasks that suit them best.

The first few days of your placement will be orientation and adjusting to Ugandan life. After this initial period, your placement work will begin. The type of work you are involved with will be dependent on your interests, abilities, level of experience as well as your comfort levels. Teaching youth sports is in high demand and volunteers with coaching skills, or those simply athletic are welcome!