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Volunteer With Us
The Volunteer Partnership
There have been many great developments because of this project. It has genuinely widened the horizons of our children and the community as a whole. In fact, our initiative has raised standards across the entire dispersed community, encouraging the children to work hard and showing them what enterprise and education can achieve.
All this and more has been achieved by taking volunteers from around the world and by charging them a small fee. We save these fees until enough is accumulated to pay for the next prioritized need. Occasionally, a volunteer will fundraise for us or make a personal donation, but we never solicit donations; you will not be pestered for money here.
The Volunteer Fee
The volunteer fee of $40 per week will be paid directly to the Chairman or the Treasurer on the day of your arrival at the project.
Your weekly fee includes:
- Free Lunch: A complimentary lunch at our school every day. You will eat local food, the same delicious meals prepared for the teachers and host family on those days.
- Essential Utilities: Clean drinking water and electricity use.
- Convenience: Laundry services (washing your clothes).
- Accommodation: All basic homestay facilities provided by your host family.
Transparency and Accountability
Once you make your payment, it will be recorded in our Donations Book, which you are welcome to view at any time.
We also keep a clear record of how the accumulated fees are used to support the project, and we will continue to update you on our progress even after you return home.
We continue to need volunteers to pass on their skills to us, help the teachers and children, and contribute the small fee we charge for the experience of volunteering, which enables us to save for and address our prioritized needs.
What Our Volunteers Gain
For their contribution, our volunteers receive far more than just accommodation and meals. They get a unique, life-changing experience:
- Unique Cultural Immersion: They have a unique experience of volunteering in a very beautiful dispersed rural village amongst the hills and small subsistence ‘farms.’
- Meaningful Connections: They enjoy making lasting friends with our dedicated teachers and curious children.
- Deep Learning: They learn firsthand about our way of life, customs, and traditions.
- Personal Development: Their own skills increase and broaden. They learn to relate to people from a totally different culture and to value diverse traditions. As they witness the poverty we face, they often gain a renewed appreciation for their own lives. As they stay with us, their confidence increases, which will help them throughout their lives, wherever they live.
- A Lasting Legacy: They leave knowing how profoundly they have helped us and knowing that they will always have friends here who will be glad to see them return.
Bookings and Transport
Visa and Flights
Volunteers must book their own flights to and from Entebbe International Airport (EBB).
Visa Requirement: You cannot enter Uganda without a visa. You must apply for a Tourist Visa through the Ugandan Embassy or Consulate in your home country. In some countries, you may be able to apply online.
Crucial Note: Make sure you allow ample time for your visa application. Contact the Embassy to confirm the procedure. Do not leave this until the last minute. Once you have submitted your application with all necessary documents, follow up with them regularly until your visa is issued. While a visa on arrival at Entebbe airport is sometimes available, you cannot rely on this option. The current estimated visa cost is approximately US$50, but you must check with the Embassy in case this fee has changed.
Airport Transfer
Daily Transport (Accommodation to Project)
A dedicated volunteer taxi transports you to and from the project site (school) from your accommodation five days a week. You may also use this service if you choose to return to the school on weekends.
- Daily Taxi Fee (Return): 14,000 UGX (7,000 UGX each way). This dedicated volunteer taxi is significantly cheaper than what other local taxis will charge.
- Weekend Note: If you choose to visit the school on weekends, please note that a free lunchtime meal will not be provided on those days, but food is available in town.
Accommodation
We provide safe, comfortable, and welcoming accommodation for all our volunteers.
Our primary housing option is a home-stay arrangement, where volunteers live with a host family directly connected to the project. This setting allows volunteers to:
- Experience real Ugandan culture.
- Build meaningful relationships.
- Feel fully integrated into the community they are supporting.
Our home-stay environment is clean, secure, and fully equipped with essential amenities, including:
- Reliable clean water
- Electricity
- Private or shared sleeping spaces
- Basic household facilities
Alternative Accommodation Options
We prioritize the safety and comfort of every volunteer. While our home-stay option offers a deeply immersive cultural experience, we understand that some volunteers may prefer more privacy or a different setup. Therefore, we offer alternative accommodation choices in Jinja town.
Our goal is to ensure that every volunteer feels safe, supported, and at home throughout their stay, whether they choose a family setting or a private hotel room.
Partnered Hotels and Guesthouses
We have arranged for you to choose from three trusted, safe, and clean locations in Jinja. We have negotiated special reduced rates for our volunteers. These locations are conveniently near all the local attractions, shops, restaurants, and nightlife in Jinja town, but are located far enough away not to be troubled by noise.
If you wish to find your own accommodation, that is also perfectly fine. You will simply need to tell us where you will be staying so our driver can collect you and drop you off each day.
Note: You are responsible for booking and paying for your own accommodation directly with the provider.