Volunteering in Uganda

Voluntourism in Uganda is big big business.

Unless you dedicate 1-2 years and find a respectable organization to which you need to apply (and for which you definitely dont have a guarantee to get in: e.g. World Vision, Save the Children, etc.), you will be doing voluntourism with no, and often negative impact.

Send your money to a reputable organization rather, and come on holiday to Uganda, and abandon your "urge" to want to feel good helping kids/animals/HIV people for 1-2 weeks, which can be much better done by professional/non-scamming/local-employed people.

Kampala Days - diary of a mzungu Hi Joe
Uganda is a fantastic country but I have to agree with what the other respondent has said I'm afraid.
What are the skills you're bringing? There are plenty of skilled people in Uganda, what's special about your skills?
I'm in Uganda on a two year placement with VSO and I know it takes a long time to really understand the culture and make an impact. What you should be aiming at is making a SUSTAINABLE impact - i.e. your legacy (e.g. skills) remain here after you've gone. I've wanted to do something like this since I was a teenager [I'm Marketing Manager for the Uganda Conservation Foundation]. I decided to apply to VSO, who require professionally trained and experienced people - so didn't get here until I was 42! But it's been worth it.
There are all types of volunteering and there's a place for short-term volunteering in certain situations but think carefully about what you really want from the experience and what you can give. Often fundraising / raising awareness to your friends and family back home will have a much greater impact than a few weeks temporary work in Africa.
Good luck - sorry if this isn't quite what you want to hear.
Kampala Days - diary of a mzungu

[http://www.openarmsprojects.org/]

Hi Joe,

I got back last week from Uganda. It was my second visit (first was 6yrs ago). I spent most of my time with an organization called Restoration of Hope. Website is http://www.restorationofhope.org/ They are located around Jinja. They help numerous villages, two schools, a medical clinic, women's co-operative etc etc .........

I don't know what kind of volunteering you are looking for but they need lots of different things. You could help teach English, help rebuild classrooms, plaster the class walls, organize soccer games with the kids, help the overworked teachers, etc etc. There is lots of things to do. Unfortunately we ran out of time or we would have done more. They need money, clothings for the kids, school supplies,medical supplies etc etc so try to bring any items from home that you no longer need.

We ended up purchasing goats/chickens for the women's co-operative, buying school uniforms/desks, drilling a bore hole etc. I know what you mean about where is the money going but with this organization, you actually have a hands on approach. We physically gave the items brought to the children along with the newly purchased school uniforms. We saw the bore hole that we financed almost completed in the short time we were there. We passed the goats and chickens over the the women that would be sharing them until they had offspring of their own.

Anyway, you will have a wonderful time. Contact Ronald Mugabi at Restoration of Hope and he can definitely give you a better idea of what you would be suited for. Let me know if you have any questions.

Kelly

I agree with what others have said about reputable organisations. However, I do know of an amazing little orphanage in Kichwamba, on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, who would be delighted to have someone stay and help out for any amount of time. There's also a local primary and high school who love to see new faces. I think a big dose of imagination into their English lessons would help them a massive amount.

If you'd like any more information let me know.