Volunteering Opportunities in Mukono Uganda

Ssamba Foundation recruits and hosts volunteers within our projects in Mukono, Uganda. Through our Uganda volunteer Program, we aim to build the capacities of local projects and to raise awareness around the world about the successes and challenges of life in Uganda.

Isaac Ssamba is aUgandan who came up with an idea to build an organization that puts money and skills into the grassroots and underprivileged communities of Mukono, Uganda. The Ssamba Foundation was founded in 2006 and it operates in Uganda especially in Mukono. We have been hosting volunteers since June, 2007.

Many local Projects lack the money and skills to grow themselves. We hope that with our Uganda volunteer program in place, our projects will overcome some of the more serious challenges they face. These include: lack of money for operations (wages, office space, transport, training courses), lack of business skills (book keeping, marketing, strategy, grant writing), and lack of up to date knowledge (Counselling/mentoring skills, English language, HIV/AIDS and life skills information).

We offer a safe and family-like environment in which to come to Uganda and give your time. We offer pre-arrival support by answering your questions about Uganda and by finding a project that best fits your skills and interests. We can also connect you to former and current volunteers working with us.

We offer in-country assistance by collecting you from the airport, getting you to your placement, and unravelling some of the more complicated cultural issues you face when entering Uganda for the first time. It is not easy to come to a completely foreign culture on your own. We want to be there to give you encouragement, advice, and support in order for you to be most effective while you are here.

While working with us, volunteers learn about the real situation at the grassroots level in Uganda. Life in Uganda is tough for everyone, not just HIV/AIDS patients, orphans and refugees. Wages are low, corruption is rampant, and education is not universal.

In spite of this, Ugandans are some of the most welcoming, friendly, and open people in Africa. Volunteers become part of the family, learning about the local culture: how to cook, how to speak the language, how to sit peacefully with their neighbours and talk about life in general.

We hope that volunteers take that knowledge home with them, spreading the word about Ugandan development issues and culture around the world.If you can spare a month or 2, Ssamba Foundation will find you volunteer work with projects based in Mukono.

All of our projects need volunteers who can bring new ideas, work with minimal supervision, and have a positive, self-starting attitude. The organization does not need just young volunteers, but older people with business skills and experience. We need those who can sort out bookwork and apply for grants. Just as these projects try to help all members of society, they need all ages of volunteers to help them function.

MUKONO TEACHING VOLUNTEER PROJECTS:

There are many private schools in Mukono that educate, house and feed needy children and orphans. You can teach primary classes, including academic subjects and life skills, and organize sport and art activities for the children. Let us know what you’re interested in teaching and we’ll get you into the best school for you. School terms vary annually but are likely to be: Feb 1 to April 15, May 20 to August 20, Sept 20 to November 30.

Teaching needy and orphaned kids has serious challenges and needs volunteers who are open to local teaching methods but still able to bring creativity and fun into the classroom. You are the outside world to these kids. Schools have a basic curriculum, but you’ll be planning your own lessons daily.

Know that traditional education in Uganda is based on memorization and passing exams. While there is a language barrier, by volunteering you can introduce creative writing, drawing, debate, and life skills into the classroom.

MUKONO COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS:

Ssamba Foundation also runs projects a number of community development project. Each community project provides a totally different experience, but main activities involve working with local children, youth, women and elderly.

As far as community outreach activities are concerned you’ll have to decide just what you’re into. We have projects that provide health care, HIV/AIDS prevention and AIDS care, counseling, youth mentoring, women’s rights education, and small business development. Let us know and we’ll figure out a good placement for your skills and interests.

A village placement is appropriate for you if you have great ideas and a seriously flexible nature. Expect your schedule to change daily with no notice. Expect to have time to relax. Expect to become a part of the village forever.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email us a list of your skills/interests, and tell us why you want to come live and volunteer in Uganda. Our program is pretty popular, so try to apply well in advance of when you’re traveling.

You must arrive around the 1^st or 15^th of the month. We have a one- week minimum and a 6-month maximum. If you want to stay longer, we’ll work it out if the space is available.

You need to be at least 18 years old, speak some English, and be in relatively good health to volunteer with us in Uganda.

Ssamba Foundation’s Uganda Volunteer Program is the Best Meaningful Affordable Travel Plan