from 1,391€

Excellent 4.8rating (115)
  • Quality Education

Help Teach Local Students

location
4 - 28 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • You will have opportunity to experience the true African way of life, which will expand your perspective of the world, and memories that you'll never forget during your weekend excursions & safaris
  • The programs are many and suitable for volunteers from the age of 18 years and above, High School & University Students, Professionals, Couples & Families with their children, and Adults of 50+ years
  • After the completion of your online/ Onsite volunteer offer, UCESCO will write you a good and official recommendation letter and Certificate of appreciation/Recognition for your time and service to us
  • Our project site is truly an exciting place to be, a place where you can really make a difference. UCESCO has a 100% safety record & we try to maintain it as Ugandans are friendly by nature.
  • Flexibility we offer to take part in different projects and connect with wonderful people . You can rotate as many projects as possible that we are offering for more expereince

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Teaching is the only future hope we can give our children. We need your help! Whether your strengths lie in teaching English, math, or sports, you can make a difference

 Our volunteer program aims to give the children in the surrounding slums and villages a more sustainable education. There are still kids in the communities we are serving who don't have the opportunity to go to school because of poverty and culture. 

Teaching is the best way to increase the ...

About the program

 Our volunteer program aims to give the children in the surrounding slums and villages a more sustainable education. There are still kids in the communities we are serving who don't have the opportunity to go to school because of poverty and culture. 

Teaching is the best way to increase the future/hope of children in Africa. Our teaching covers Children’s home evening classes, Kindergarten/Baby classes, Primary School, Secondary School, and vocational centers, helping in any of the following, teaching;

  1. Any of the 6 official languages of the United Nations  basic languages ( Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish)
  2. Mathematics, Biology, and Physics to our Secondary Schools and Primary Schools
  3. Cooking and Baking lessons
  4. Artwork and Painting lessons
  5. Basic Computer skills
  6. Sports
  7. Music
  8. Yoga and Physical lessons ( at our Primary and Secondary school)
  9. Nail Art and Beauty 
  10. Video editing and Photography lessons 
  11. Massage to our Beauty School
  12. Sewing and Fashion Technology lessons
  13. Management skills
  14. Health talks
  15. Life Skills
  16. Finance literacy and Business management
  17. Farming/ Agriculture 

Communication 

Immediately you arrive, it is reassuring to know you’ll be able to contact home and keep in touch with staff and volunteers during your stay. Here are some tips on communicating in Uganda

  • Mobile phone- It is a good idea to have a mobile phone with you while you volunteer. They allow you to reassure your family and friends to know that you will be contactable. A local SIM card will usually offer much cheaper local and international rates than your SIM from home. You can buy a local SIM from many shops in Kampala, and the Ugandani team or another volunteer can tell you where to go. You can buy or rent a handset after you arrive, or alternatively bring one with you. Some smartphones (including iPhones) will not accept SIMs from other companies, so please check before you travel. 

  • Internet - The cheapest way to stay in touch with friends and family is via the Internet, email, social networks, and telecom services like Skype. Many volunteers also choose to write a travel blog, and volunteers who fundraise may have promised an email diary for their sponsors. There are two ways to access the internet in Kampala: on the internet, Wifi in homestays, and cafes, or using a modem stick plugged into your laptop. 

Clothes 

There are a couple of things to bear in mind when packing clothes for Uganda. The first is the weather - it can vary quite a lot, so it is best to plan for hot sun and pouring rain. You will need to dress to protect yourself from the sun but also be prepared for rain. Here is a suggestion of what to bring;

  • T-shirts 

  • Shorts 

  • Lightweight trousers and tops

  • Jumper and Jeans for the evenings 

  • Plenty of underwear 

  • Hait for sun

  • Sports clothing 

  • Trainers or boots 

  • Sandals 

  • Day shoes 

Packing

Below are some suggestions about what to pack. Everything on these lists is essential or useful 

  • Passport 

  • Yellow Fever vaccination certificate 

  • Travel pillow 

  • Towels 

  • Toiletries and sanitary products. Consider bringing dry shampoo wet wipes, and hand sanitizer

Tours and Safaris
 Weekends are made for exploring our country and Safaris ( Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for any safari outside Kampala City, you need at least 2 nights and 3 days to have enough experience). Safaris within Kampala city or nearby can be explored for one day or two ( Saturday and Sunday). The organization is aware and more than happy to give you enough time to explore Uganda too because you are here to help at the same time make sure you experience Africa's lifestyle and culture. We will always give you time for that. In case you are also interested in safaris while volunteering with us, let us know to link you to our sister company that offers pocket-friendly Safaris, Hotel reservations for weekend holidays, flight booking, Visa application, holiday vehicle arrangements, and travel insurance for our volunteers. It's a company that embarks on a thrilling adventure with Meaningful Travel, a premier travel company in Uganda, as we unveil our exciting lineup of upcoming tours and extraordinary destinations within this breathtaking East African gem. From the iconic savannahs, our meticulously crafted tours promise to immerse you in Ugandan’s diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultures. Traverse the Great Rift Valley, witness the Big Five and Ugry Five in their natural habitat, and engage with local communities in immersive cultural experiences. With Meaningful Travel, you’re not just exploring Uganda; you’re discovering its heart and soul. Join us on a transformative journey that showcases Ugandan’s beauty and leaves you with memories to last a lifetime. Travel. dreams into reality.” The beautiful thing about booking a safari with us, is all the cost recovery the company donates back to the organization to keep one child in school. That is why we call it meaningful travel "traveling with a purpose".

Wish list 

To prepare for your work here, there are a few things you can do. We kindly ask you to check if you have any school materials (stationery, Schoolbooks -written in English-, pencils, toys, notebooks, rubbers, etc.) or electronics (laptop, tablet, Cameras, smartphone/phone) you no longer use.

Unfortunately, resources are minimal here in Uganda, and any support is much appreciated. Your old schoolbooks can be given a second life for a great cause!

 

Do you want to be a volunteer superstar? You can multiply your impact by setting up a fundraiser.

Necessities like food, school tuition, ongoing School construction, or healthcare require funds. We understand that you can’t do it all, but maybe your friends, family, or colleagues can help you to make your visit even more impactful. We assure you; that it will be everyone’s best-spent money! Need help or materials for

promotion? Let us know, and we will provide you with promotional materials or you can access them from our social media or Google Drive. 

Typical day

1. Volunteer task

We anticipate that;

  • You want to contribute, and 
  • As a person you are calm, embracing, and with no judgment,
  • You are passionate about making a difference to the target group or individual.

2.  Your induction and orientation

On your first day, you will receive a comprehensive induction ...

Typical day

1. Volunteer task

We anticipate that;

  • You want to contribute, and 
  • As a person you are calm, embracing, and with no judgment,
  • You are passionate about making a difference to the target group or individual.

2.  Your induction and orientation

On your first day, you will receive a comprehensive induction to your new town. A staff member will take you on a tour of the surrounding area, and point out places that might be useful to you. You will also be taken to buy a local SIM card or exchange money if you need to. We value innovative ideas to make us serve others better hence we always encourage our volunteers to have creative ideas for serving the community better apart from assigning you our usual operations. 

Orientation of activities is done the following day on your arrival to understand all other programs we have in case you are flexible and interested in helping other programs/activities. When you rotate to other programs you get more exposure and be more impactful to many needy beneficiaries.  For example, if you have applied as a teacher/Tutor, you can at the same time, help in teaching your language if you are good at life skills you can share with our high school students, if you are good at sports you can teach some sports you know, if you are good in mathematics you can teach at our school, if you have the medical background you can volunteers some of your free time from our school at our clinics or at our beauty school. I recommend volunteers who are flexible to help in other areas if the program you have applied to is not that busy during your time in Uganda. Africa will be more fun and enjoyable and you can learn more than you expected. 

3. Daily program/ Timetable 

Volunteer work is during the morning hours every day, and in the afternoon, we have free activities such as sports, Ugandan traditional dance classes, traditional cooking classes, and sports for those volunteers interested to learn, however, it's an optional offer depending on the number of volunteers interested to learn But mostly volunteers finish their volunteer work at 3:30 pm and go home direct to rest and prepare for the following days' activities. 

A typical day schedule will look like this with or without minor adjustments;

  • 8:30 am - We serve a delicious and healthy breakfast 
  • 9:00 am - 13:30 pm - Volunteer work as described above. 
  • 14:00 pm to 18:00 pm - Free time activities mentioned above (Optional)
  • 3:30 pm -  Break and prepare back home to rest
  • 8:00 pm - Dinner is served.

Free-time activities

Official languages are Luganda and English

  • Oli otya (olaɪətɪə): How are you?
  • Ssebo/nnyabo: Sir/madam
  • Wasuze otya nno: Good morning
  • Weebale: Thank you 
  • Owange: Excuse me
  • Amazzi: Water 
  • Mzungu (m̩ˈzuŋɡu): wanderer, or someone with white skin
  • Mukwano: My love or my friend
  • Nkooye: I’m tired
  • Tugende: ...

Free-time activities

Official languages are Luganda and English

  • Oli otya (olaɪətɪə): How are you?
  • Ssebo/nnyabo: Sir/madam
  • Wasuze otya nno: Good morning
  • Weebale: Thank you 
  • Owange: Excuse me
  • Amazzi: Water 
  • Mzungu (m̩ˈzuŋɡu): wanderer, or someone with white skin
  • Mukwano: My love or my friend
  • Nkooye: I’m tired
  • Tugende: Let’s go

Wildlife

The wildlife of Uganda is composed of its flora and fauna. Uganda has a wide variety of different habitats, including mountains, hills, tropical rainforest, woodland, freshwater lakes, swamps and savanna with scattered clumps of trees. The country has a biodiverse flora and fauna reflecting this range of habitats and is known for its primates, including gorillas and chimpanzees. There are ten national parks and thirteen wildlife reserves; some 345 species of mammal and 1020 species of bird have been recorded in the country.

Nice places to visit in Uganda

  • Murchison Falls
  • Lake Victoria
  • Jinja, Start of the Nile River
  • Ssese Islands
  • Nyero Rock Paintings
  • Kasubi Tombs
  • Ndere Centre
  • Owino Market
  • Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and many more.

Uganda tourist places, just like the country itself, seem to be gifted by the choicest of nature’s bounties. This is the precise reason why Uganda is referred to as the ‘Pearl of Africa’. Be it its rare primate species, forests that have survived the Ice Age, ancient landmarks, and stupendous landscape, Uganda is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime kind of place. Uganda tourist spots range from national parks that protect the rarest of wildlife species like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Semliki National Park to cultural and religious sites like the Kasubi Royal Tombs, Martyrs Shrine, Bahai Temple, and the Nyero Rock paintings to name a few.

Uganda’s landscape is unlike anything else that you will experience. It includes the fascinating Equator, the longest river in the world, and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. All these places to visit in Uganda offer unforgettable experiences like rafting on the Nile, quad biking, boat safaris, and so much more. Add to this the opportunity to interact with some of the most elusive tribes in the world like the Batwa pygmies, Baganda, Bakiga, etc., and experiencing their ancient traditions that are still practiced today. So head over to Uganda on your next vacation to savour the famous African wilderness, warmth, and colours that will leave you with memories for a lifetime.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Education Requirements

at High School Level level

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

Passport and any form of identification

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

• a social mindset • a good work ethic • the ability to work as part of a team • great communication skills • adaptability to different types of tasks • problem-solving ability • initiative • enthusiasm • resilience • a non-judgmental approach and respect for diversity • great cultural awareness • a professional attitude to work • strong regard for health and safety • eagerness to travel • dedication

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:30 - 15:30

What's Included

What's Included

Services by UCESCO Africa

In Summary, the fee includes:

  • Accommodation 
  • Wifi costs
  • Water and Electricity 
  • Airport Pick up
  • Program Orientation
  • Security 
  • Administration and on-site/in-country staff support
  • Personalized project
  • Pre-departure information and any services you need such as an invitation letter for your visa application
  • Background check fees
  • Meals (Breakfast and Dinner)
  • Letter of recommendation / Certificate of completion 

Not included in the fee:

  • Drop off 
  • Laundry
  •  Local SIM card you need to purchase
  • Tour / Safaris
  •  Volunteer T-shirt
  • Visas
  • Airfare
  • Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
  • Daily transportation to the project site
  • Airport return transfer

Airport Pickup at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

UCESCO-Uganda a staff member will be there to welcome you when you arrive at Entebbe International Airport. From the airport, you will travel in our private car to your accommodation. Depending on traffic, this will be a 30-minute drive. Once you are done with the booking process, we share our whatsup number to keep in touch, especially during airport pick-up, it's easy and quick to communicate because there is always a wifi at the airport. 


N/B Just to remind you, sometimes luggage delays and we have seen our volunteer having a hard time as they are waiting for their luggage for three days, make sure at least the back bag/ the small bag you will be walking with, have all the basic items, and at least few clothes to change in case you luggage delays, At least make sure you can survive for two to three days but not always luggage delays but it happens. it's just a caution because we have seen volunteer forced to go the the mall to buy a few clothes to survive as they are waiting for their luggage to arrive, which is an unnecessary expense. 

Accommodation

  • All volunteer houses have running water. Volunteers should not drink tap water – instead, drink only bottled water
  • UCESCO arranges accommodation for volunteers in a volunteer house or in homestays. Both our homestays and volunteer houses are executive, spacious, beautiful, Well-finished apartments that are fully furnished with en-suite room features and en-suite bathrooms. It's a place you can call home away from home. your stay is guaranteed to be comfortable, and memorable and a comeback is certain. The unit has a furnished living room fitted with armchairs, a flat-screen TV, Free Wifi, and a fully equipped kitchen in case you want to cook your own fast food apart from what we provide. Parking facilities are available and the premises are guarded by security personnel 24/7. 
  • Both Homestays and volunteer houses are located in a serene environment with friendly people, and proximity to major Shopping Malls and is a great choice for volunteers to rest after hard work in the slums. They are also in a Great location…convenient for public transport to the city and many bars and restaurants nearby. 
  • Housekeeping is offered weekly (every Saturday) and change of beddings.  
  • Homestay volunteers can accommodate up to 3 volunteers same time, You will be living in a host family house and become a member of that family, which gives you the opportunity to learn their culture, learn a new language, and virtually do everything with them.

Food & Beverages

  • Cuisine

    Main dishes are usually centred on a sauce or stew of simsim, groundnuts, beans or meat. The starch traditionally comes from posho (maize meal) or matooke (steamed and mashed green banana) in the central or kalo (an ugali dish made from millet) in the north, east and west.

  • We provide 2 meals per day because most of the lunchtime will always find you on the project site. You only need to buy some snacks or affordable food near your project site. Sometimes like in school you can share with the students but might not be good for your stomach because mostly we use Githeri ( Cooked Maize corn and beans together) which I guess might be difficult for your stomach to digest if you are not used to it. If you have any special dietary requirements e.g. vegetarian or vegan, please let us know so we can make arrangements for you. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but, as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible so you can adapt easily.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. We assist you to find cheap flights to Uganda. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Uganda provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Uganda you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Uganda. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

1. Preparing for the arrival 

  • Volunteering in Uganda through our organization will be an exhilarating, horizon-widening time. You will find new friends and take on new challenges, experiencing a different way of life while you do so. To make the most of this opportunity, it is a good idea to make sure that you are as prepared as possible, both physically and mentally. 

3. When we need volunteers

  • Throughout the year

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 1,391€
5 weeks 1,852€
6 weeks 2,222€
7 weeks 2,593€
11 weeks 4,074€
19 weeks 7,038€
28 weeks (max. stay) 10,371€
Average fees 359€/week

Program fees

359€ per week 4 - 28 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

4 - 28 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with UCESCO Africa during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

UCESCO Africa

Excellent 4.8 rating (115 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Kingsley

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Our organization depends on the generosity of donors and volunteers to achieve our goals. There are different ways of supporting our cause and we welcome any help we.

Meet your organization

United Cultural Empowerment and Social Community Organization – Africa (UCESCO – Africa), is a Charitable NGO committed to supporting vulnerable women and children in marginalized communities in Kenya.

We do this through education, health care, and micro-business to emancipate families from poverty and empower them to take charge of their future.

UCESCO aims to build intercultural understanding through heritage protection and support for cultural diversity and human co-existence regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. 

WHAT WE DO

We focus on initiating and implementing projects that contribute to poverty alleviation in the community.

1. Slums and Rural Women's Economic Empowerment
2. Provide Free Health Care
3. Sanitation and Water Safety Programs
4. Early Childhood Development
5. Education and Talent Development
6. Sports and Social Engagements


VISION

Creating sustainable growth for diverse vulnerable populations.

MISSION

To support vulnerable women and children through education, health and micro-business boost to lift their families from poverty; and empower them to take charge of their own future.

MOTTO

Creating sustainable growth for diverse populations


Why choose us

UCESCO has a 100% safety record in Kenya and we mean to keep it. Our programs in Kenya are safe to experience. Generally, Kenyans are friendly people by nature, especially toward volunteers who are helping their community. We advise that no volunteer should be out after dark and that volunteers should stay indoors after 9 pm. Exceptions are made when volunteers are with UCESCO local volunteers or project staff. This is merely a precaution, but one that we expect all volunteers to keep. People may stop to say hello and it is polite to respond; however, they will understand if you are busy and cannot chat for long. Never accept an invitation to visit a stranger. We also recommend that you arrange medical, dental, and eye check-ups before you depart, to identify any issues that might affect your time in Kenya.

115 reviews · rating4.8

I am not very active on social media but I wanted to take this opportunity to share some news. After completing my engineering studies, I dedicated the past few years to pursue a PhD thesis in experimental physics under the guidance of Pr. Clément Lauzin. It was an incredibly enriching journey, ...
Aurore Karat rating5

2024 at Sports & Recreation Coaching Academy

My 15 year old and I took part in the sport coaching programme. It was well organised, with excellent support from staff. We were given a lot of autonomy on how to plan our programme but the staff was there to help us manage sessions. We taught rugby to a group of around 20 children who were really ...
My son Kohshi and I had an amazing experience at #ucescoafrica and in Kibera teaching beauty school students (mostly young single moms) how to start business and elementary school kids how to play origami. Thanks to Kingsley, Edna and our Kenyan mom Joy ❤️. Kibera is known as the largest urban ...
Christie Knight rating5

2024 at Teaching in School and Communities

UCESCO Africa are an incredible organisation doing so much to help. During my time away from work, I wanted to spend some time volunteering and giving back to a community who need it. There are many times in our lives where someone goes out of their way to give us an opportunity, help us, or simply ...
Hello , My name is Kyoung ju KIM. From South Korea. I had a great time for 3 weeks through UCESCO. Doing volunteer with my daughter and son. We learned a lot from there. We did teaching and cooking for Peggy Lucas School which is located in Kebera slum. It's very safe. Ucesco staff managed ...
The 2024 Citadel Medical Camp took place in Kayole, Kariobangi, and Kibera, in Nairobi with UCESCO Africa, Naiorbi. These are impoverished areas where individuals have no access to medical care. Our camp has been a true success! With a dedicated team of Citadel faculty, students, and UCESCO ...

Location

Africa > Eastern Africa > Uganda > Kampala

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Contact Kingsley
  Very high response rate
English

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