4 - 52 weeks
from € 1.090
Uganda

Volunteering at the Children's Center in Uganda

  • Urban everyday life
  • Varied activities
  • Diverse cuisine

This facility is a non-profit organization that takes in children from underprivileged families. The tasks can include looking after the children, teaching or educational work by the staff. It is welcome if you contribute creatively here. You too can enrich the lives of these children and get involved so that they can look to the future as independent and self-confident personalities!

Location icon Greater Kampala region
Minimum age icon from 17 years
Icon Duration 4 - 52 weeks / from €1.090
Departure days icon Wednesday, Sunday
SDG 4 - Quality education
Quality education

Ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Project ID : FA-UG147

As a volunteer
Uganda

4 - 52 weeks / from €1.090
to the cost overview

Volunteering at the Children's Center in Uganda

What's the matter?

In Uganda, many children are left to their own devices from an early age. There are various reasons for this. Both parents often work to support their families. In some cases, the children have already lost a parent due to illness or malnutrition. The Children's Center in Uganda provides these children with day care and support so that they have better development opportunities.

You work in a non-profit organization in a rural area near Kampala. The aid organization was founded in 2007. Disadvantaged children from poor families in the area who cannot afford the school fees are supported here. The children are cared for and taken care of here during the day. They receive regular meals, are taught and can let off steam carefree. A particular focus of the organization is the education and enlightenment of girls and women. With all these tasks, the team at the volunteer site is happy to receive support from volunteers like you!

The aim of the project is to encourage the children physically and mentally and to give them the opportunity to develop freely. In addition, with the help of volunteers, the quality of the care and education for the needy children should be improved.

Your tasks as a volunteer

Your activities at the Children's Center are wide-ranging. You work in a team with other employees and volunteers. Your main responsibility is the all-round care of the children. You play with them and teach them valuable life skills. Creativity is required here!

For example, you can teach them songs or practice swimming with them. You also teach the children about the need for personal hygiene and what needs to be considered in order to stay healthy.

In addition, you get involved in the lessons. You prepare the lessons together with your colleagues and lend a hand to the teachers in class. You help the children with their homework and observe how they get on with the subject matter. For children with learning difficulties, you can organize a class in which they receive individual support and tutoring.

In particular, the lessons should create an environment in which an exchange between teachers, volunteers and children is made possible. You are cordially invited to teach the students some German or to introduce the teachers to alternative teaching methods.

Your working day begins around 7:30 a.m. with the greeting of the children who have arrived at the center. Afterwards there will be a morning circle in which you will start the day together with prayers and small games. You then accompany the children to their classes and you help look after the babies and toddlers or teach the older children. Lessons end around 13 p.m.

Since not all children are picked up by their parents, it may happen that you accompany some children home. After the lessons, you stay at the facility for a while to plan and prepare the lessons for the coming day with the teachers and volunteers. The facility usually closes at 17:30 p.m.

Important note: At some schools in Uganda, punishment with a cane is one of the common educational methods. This type of punishment has disappeared from classrooms in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for decades. As a volunteer, you naturally teach without a stick. However, we want you to know about the cane, not be shocked, and handle the situation responsibly. Our on-site team management and program coordination in Munich are a good place to go if you want to talk about the topic or need support.

Accommodation Catering

Host family in Uganda

In Kampala, the metropolis and capital of Uganda, you are right in the middle of the exciting events! There is everything you need in the vicinity of your host family: In the center you will find shopping malls, supermarkets and other small shops where you can run errands.

For most of our projects you will stay with Joseph, his wife and their children. Up to six volunteers can be accommodated in their home. There is a guest room at Joseph's in the house and two more in the annex. You can use the living room to spend time together. Both in the main house and in the annex there is a bathroom with a latrine. For showering or washing you use water from canisters. You can have your laundry washed on site for a small fee. You will be immersed in a typical Ugandan way of life with Joseph!

Joseph even built a great new guest cottage for his volunteers with two extra bedrooms and a living area where you can retreat - awesome right? In your free time, you can easily go to Kampala City by public transport! Enjoy your time in Kampala and visit fabulous weekly markets or try the traditional cuisine of the "Pearl of Africa".

Location

Greater Kampala region

The metropolis and capital Kampala is located in southern Uganda. Here you will find small busy streets, modern skyscrapers, restaurants and a lively nightlife. So there is a lot to discover! 

With a bit of luck you can even see marabou storks hatching their young in the middle of the city center, near the rugby court! Trees and hills adorn the cityscape around the center. The streets are full of so-called boda-bodas - these are bicycle taxis, which most people in Uganda use to get around. 

But not only the capital has a lot to offer: the further you drive out of Kampala, the more adventure awaits you during your trip. Kampala is considered Uganda's transport hub, which is why all our projects are located in the greater Kampala area. The capital is also not far from Africa's most famous freshwater lake, "Lake Victoria". 

So you've come to the right place if you want to experience Uganda intensively - both life in the metropolis and the landscapes in the surrounding area!

Leisure_Uganda_Banner

Your free time in the greater Kampala region

Welcome to the Greater Kampala Region! The capital of Uganda is the best place to learn about the country's rich history and culture. For example, you will find the "Uganda Museum" here, which is one of the best museums in Africa with its large collection of cultural and historical treasures. In addition, numerous churches, mosques and other places of worship bear witness to the great heterogeneity and diversity of the country.

Away from the culture you will find many markets, restaurants and bars in the lively city as well as a nightlife that can easily keep up with the European metropolises. Kampala is also a real institution when it comes to street food. “Luwombo”, an elaborate cooking dish that is prepared and served in a banana leaf, is particularly popular.

Do you need a short break from the chaotic city life? Then explore the outskirts of Kampala. Lake Victoria is only a few kilometers away. The coasts and numerous small islands that you will find on Africa's largest lake are definitely worth a visit. And the rest of Uganda is chock-full of must-see attractions if you find the time. 

The waterfalls of the Murchison Falls National Park or the Ruwenzori Mountains with peaks over 5000 meters are definitely among them. You should also not miss a tour to see the rare mountain gorillas. Because: The last specimens live exclusively in Uganda and the neighboring countries.

For more (insider) tips, you can also get in touch with your local contact at any time. 

On-site procedure

Arrive in Kampala

Arrival in Uganda

Arriving at Entebbe Airport, you will be picked up by one of our team members who will take you to Kampala. The transfer from the airport to Kampala is included in the services and takes about an hour, depending on traffic. Our team ensures that you arrive safely at the accommodation and is your contact person for the entire duration of your assignment in Uganda.

In the first one or two days you will be accommodated with our host family in Kampala. There you will also meet other volunteers with whom you can share your experiences in Uganda.

Orientation in Kampala

Orientation program in Kampala

During the first two days that you are accommodated in Kampala, our team will prepare you for your upcoming stay in Uganda. You will be offered activities and individual excursions that will help you to get to know the country and the people better. Our team will also show you what you need to consider so that you can find your way around the area and inform you about your activities and tasks in your project.

The program includes, among other things: sightseeing in Kampala, visiting a market, changing money and getting a SIM card, Ugandan cuisine, getting to know public transport, ...

After the orientation program, our staff will take you to your accommodation. 

Volunteer project in Kampala

Your first day in the project

After the orientation program, the staff will take you to your accommodation. Which accommodation you end up in depends on your location and project. Your placement is always as close as possible to your accommodation. Each project position has different working hours, which will be discussed with you right at the beginning of your assignment. On the first day you will get to know the employees and the work processes and you will be briefed on your tasks.

Pricing

  • base fee
    € 1.090, -
    4 weeks of participation
  • extension week
    € 130, - / week
    up to 48 weeks

included
Services

Before departure

  • Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
  • Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
  • Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
  • Non-binding flight advice
  • Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
  • RGV t-shirt

On site

  • Orientation program with the team on site
  • Support and guidance from the on-site team
  • RGV 24h emergency number
  • Project t-shirt to wear during on-site activities
  • Airport transfer on the agreed arrival and departure days
  • Accommodation in a host family
  • Meals: Breakfast and dinner

After return

  • Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
  • Reflection course on your experiences abroad
  • Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion
useful additional services

not included
Services

  • Round trip
  • Private expenses on site
  • Excursions with microlight flights
  • Travel and cancellation insurance
  • Visa and Vaccinations
  • All nights outside your agreed accommodation
  • Public transport and extra transfers
  • Daily drive to the project
  • Drinks

Individual Recommended additional offers
& must-haves

Picture must-haves

Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?

With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.

Flight booking icon
" Round Trip
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.
Flight offers with maximum flexibility

Would you like to receive a cheap flight offer for your stay abroad that is perfectly tailored to you? After you have successfully registered, you can have a non-binding offer created.

The excellent rates for volunteers, students and young people are a great advantage. Arrival times and flight time changes can also be sent directly to RGV upon request, so that our RGV teams in the destination countries are always informed about your arrival times.

These special tariffs give you special added value:

  • maximum flexibility for rebookings and cancellations
  • generous baggage allowance
  • Additional discounts on one-way flights: The new volunteer tariffs include attractive discounts to reduce your financial burden on one-way flights (e.g. for stopovers, project or country combinations).
Insurance icon
" Insurance
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.
The 4 in 1 insurance cover for volunteers and internships abroad

You can easily book the long-term travel protection of ERGO Reiseversicherung after you have registered. You will receive the links to this automatically after a successful registration.

The following building blocks are included:

  • Health Insurance
  • Comfort protection: accident, liability and interruption insurance
  • Travel insurance

Greater Kampala region Team
site

Joseph is the team leader of our Uganda team and is actively supported by his wife. Since we offer different project locations in Uganda, RGV team leader Joseph usually accompanies you during the transfer from the airport to the location and back.

If you have any questions or problems, you can always count on Joseph’s support. He is actively involved in his non-profit project work for the population in his country and would be happy to receive your support and ideas!

“Tusanyuse okukulaba!” - “You're welcome"

Volunteers talk about their experiences Joint commitment - big impact!

Testimonials

Experience report from the Children's Center in Uganda

In summary, the most beautiful experience was seeing how protected and loving the children can grow up; even in a country like Uganda. And that you don't need a smartphone, running water or fast food to be happy.
Testimonials

Report from the school and daycare in Uganda

In summary, I can say that our time in Uganda was one of the best times of my life. Our host family has become our own family, numerous tears have shed when we had to say goodbye.
Testimonials

Experience report from kindergarten in Uganda

I was integrated directly into my work, was allowed to teach the children myself and helped to correct the assignments and homework. Of course we also sang and played a lot with the children, made handicrafts and painted.
Testimonials

Elena's volunteer work at the Children's Center in Uganda

Finally, I can say that I am very grateful for these four months because I learned a lot and this was an experience that I will never forget!

More testimonials
Browse our magazine

RGV FAQ
to the project

How far in advance do I have to register?

Ideally your registration takes place at least 3-6 months before the desired departure date, But also short-term registrations are up 1-2 months before the planned departure is possible.

But it could be that your dream project is already booked. In this case we will try together to find a suitable alternative for you.

Can I travel with a friend or in a group?

Yes! On request we enable a double room if you for two with a friend or a friend, or an apartment or other suitable accommodation for groups.

We are very happy to enable our participants to go on a project and share accommodation with friends. Shared accommodation is usually possible both in the volunteer house and with the host family, although the room in the volunteer house may also be shared with other participants. In some locations there is also the option of sharing an apartment.

When registering, please always mention the person(s) traveling with you!

Can I combine projects?

Yes! You can combine projects at one location, at different locations, but also in different countries. It is also possible to combine a project with a trip. You can specify your desired combination directly when registering.

Combination options at a glance:

  1. Combine programs in one country
  2. Combine programs across countries
  3. Combine a program with a language course
  4. Combine a program with ours Adventure & Trips

There are a few things Project combinations to note: The minimum length of stay per project must be observed and you may incur additional costs for country combinations, for example for an intermediate flight.

What are the project fees used for?

Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.

What visa do I need for Uganda?

You need a tourist visa for Uganda. You can apply for this online in advance. You will then receive the visa upon arrival, where you will also pay the visa fees (about €50). The visa is valid for 90 days.

An extension is possible on site and costs about 100 €.

What language skills do I need for the project in Uganda?

A good knowledge of English is required, and a Luganda language course is also recommended.

What vaccinations/ health precautions do I need for Uganda?

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Uganda.

We generally recommend a consultation in a practice for travel and tropical medicine.

You can get general information about recommended health care and vaccinations online Center for Travel Medicine as well as on the side of Foreign Office.

When does the social project always take place?

You can register for social projects all year round. But note that during the local school holidays In some countries, child care is limited or not available at all. Contact usif you are unsure whether the project will be managed in your desired time frame.

What are the requirements for the social project?

There are no special requirements for participation. What is important is enjoyment of working with children, a sense of responsibility, exemplary behavior, use of appropriate language, initiative and empathy. Comfortable clothing appropriate for a children's center is recommended, as is clothing that can get dirty (when painting, for example). Smoking should not be allowed in the presence of children.

What do I have to consider as an LGBTQ person?

Please be aware that homosexual acts are considered undesirable in many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and are even punishable by law in some places. In general, people who are identified as queer are often exposed to hostility.

For example, get information from Foreign Office about the exact regulations in your destination country.

General FAQ about volunteer work

Ready to volunteer in Uganda? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!

Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.

You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.

Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.

RGV Your way
to the volunteer

1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.

2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.

3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.

4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.

Gallery Impressions &
Impressions

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