Teaching in Kampala
OPEN NOW!
Uganda has reopened to international arrivals and our local team are looking forward to welcoming volunteers! See the 'Additional Info.' section for procedures in place during the pandemic.
On this essential education program, volunteers are placed in a school in Uganda which has high levels of staff shortages as a result of limited funding and inadequate resourcing. These schools are also usually attended by orphaned and underprivileged children. For these reasons teaching volunteers in Uganda are desperately needed here. The teaching which volunteers in Uganda undertake is very varied and can cover one or more of a wide range of academic subjects, as well as practical vocational skills. The majority of these skills help students to improve their career prospects. Volunteers play an invaluable role in teaching children and supporting their educational needs, helping them to increase their chances of higher levels of education, and thus the chance for future employment and a brighter future. Volunteers can plan and teach lessons in subjects such as English, Maths, Science, Physical Education, Health, HIV awareness and any other subject that the volunteer has knowledge and interest in. Volunteers can also plan fun activities and sports programs for recess times and after schools.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide English language skills and teach other subjects to vulnerable children in Uganda
- Teach and interact with marginalized children in Africa
- Improve the future prospects of some of Uganda’s most impoverished children, and help them to break the poverty cycle
- Expose volunteers and children to different people and cultures
How You Can Help
Volunteers play an important role in helping improve the education of the impoverished children of Uganda. They will give back by sharing their knowledge and helping children achieve their goals, while also gaining the chance to learn so much about the children and people of Uganda. As well as helping by teaching the curriculum, volunteers will also assist at some schools with the development of sustainable projects such as gardens, farming and water sanitation projects. Volunteers are more than welcome to help with these or develop their own projects along with local staff and students. Volunteers will be assigned to the school that needs volunteers the most at the time of their placement. This promises to be a very beneficial program for both volunteers and the wonderful children of Uganda.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Teaching English and other subjects to children attending the school
- Assisting teachers and volunteers in classes
- Teach subjects the volunteer has an interest in (i.e. sport, music, art)
- Create games in English for the students and spend time playing with students
- Help on sustainability-related projects, or ones volunteers devise
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to help create a brighter future for children through the power of education. This project best suits those with experience and/or qualifications in the field of childhood development and education, though volunteers who simply wish to explore an interest in this field are also welcomed as there are many ways you can assist in the classroom. Whist not mandatory, completing a TEFL course prior to joining this project would prove to be highly beneficial. Importantly, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
- Resume
Project Location
All volunteer placements in Uganda are based in Mukono and Lugazi (about an hour out of Kampala), or in Ngora which is a 5 hours’ drive from Kampala.
Kampala is the capital city of Uganda and is also popularly known as ‘the city on many hills’ because it is spread over 10 hills. With a population of approximately one million, it’s on the small side for a capital city and retains a small-town charm. People passing each other in the street often know each other and still stop for a chat!
The city centre is vibrant with shops, roadside traders, markets, and the mind-boggling matatu (minibus taxi) stands providing local colour and atmosphere. The Nakasero fresh food market just off the city’s main drag is one of the most colourful places in East Africa with piles of bananas, pineapples, tomatoes, mangoes and every fruit and vegetable you can think of - and some you can’t - ugly jackfruit or matoke (cooking banana). Kampala is the gateway city for visitors to Uganda and is one of East Africa’s most laid-back and friendly cities and you will undoubtedly pass through it en route to a safari in one of Uganda’s national parks.
Places to see include but not limited to The Kasubi tombs - where the remains of the Kings of Buganda were buried Uganda, Uganda Museum, Nommo art gallery, National Theatre, Cathedrals - Rubaga and Namirembe, Parliament of Uganda (and Independence monument). There’s also a lot to do during your free time - Jet-Boating on the Nile up and down some of the smaller rapids, Excursion to Mburo National Park, Gorilla safaris, Bungee jumping and much more! Nice!
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 2 weeks to 12 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Upon your arrival in Kampala (Entebbe Airport), you will be collected at the airport by a representative of the local project team and delivered to your host family accommodation. Here you will receive an orientation to help you settle in, find out about your volunteering placement, the local surroundings and meet your fellow volunteers. A representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have. Nice!
- Program Arrival Day: SUNDAY
- Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Entebbe International Airport, Entebbe, Uganda (CODE: EBB)
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers joining our team in Uganda are accommodated with one of our carefully selected local host families - which are perfectly located in safe and convenient suburbs close to their project locations. In most cases host families provide the volunteer with a private room, but during busy periods you many need to share with other volunteers. There are no hot showers available, however there are showering systems in all of the host families. Linen and mosquito nets are provided.
There is generally no internet available in the host families, however you can purchase a SIM card and purchase a data plan on your phone (you will need to ensure you have had your phone unlocked before you leave home).
There is also an internet cafe approx 20 km from your accommodation.
Staying with a local Ugandan family is a great way to be truly immersed in the local culture. All families have been fully vetted by our local team and have plenty of experience in hosting international volunteers. The families are experienced in hosting international volunteers and will take very good care of you.
Volunteers on this project are provided two meals (breakfast and dinner) on a daily basis while at their home stay house. Lunch is not included but can be bought cheaply at a local market, street stall or cafe.
Depending on a volunteers project assignment location, for those social occasions with fellow volunteers, Kampala has restaurants serving every kind of European and International dish, as well as the fast food chains found everywhere. Easy!
Fees
That’s just USD 29 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.
Additional Info
COVID-19 requirements:
All international arriving flight passengers will need to adhere to the following:
- Provide a negative, certified PCR COVID-19 test taken no more than 120 hours before departure. Tests must have been done by a health facility that is accredited by the government of the country in which the test is conducted. Travelers will be required to present their test results to the airline to receive confirmation of their flight booking.
- Any arriving passengers who exhibit signs or symptoms of an infectious disease will be transported to an isolation center for a COVID-19 test where they must remain, at their own cost, until the results of the test are received. Travelers who test positive will be taken to a Ministry of Health facility for treatment or given the option to be repatriated, at their own cost.
- The Government of Uganda requires that all departing passengers present a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken not more than 120 hours before departure. This requirement is mandatory for all departing passengers out of Uganda even if the destination country does not require it. COVID-19 tests for departing passengers must be taken at an accredited laboratory or a COVID-19 sample collection point approved by the Ministry of Health. A full list of approved testing facilities can be found on the Ministry of Health’s website. Travelers are expected to cover all costs associated with their COVID-19 test and test results must indicate that they are for the express purpose of travel with the annotation “TRAVEL” clearly marked.