Volunteer Activities

Volunteers are able to choose the activities and programmes they are most interested in and tailor their experiences to their personal requirements. Alternatively volunteers may wish to get experience in various different areas of operation, and could be involved in a number of activities, e.g. HIV/AIDS sensitization, outreach programmes and caring for sufferers, fundraising and research. Those interested in teaching would also have the opportunity of teaching in one or two of our partner schools.

Safety and General Arrangements

We always want to make sure that volunteers enjoy their stay in Uganda and have an opportunity to gain new skills and learn about new cultures. Uganda is a very peaceful and stable country of extremely friendly and welcoming people and Kampala is known to be the safest capital city in East Africa, with very low crime rates. As a volunteer, however, your safety will always be our greatest concern and we will take every measure to ensure it from the moment you arrive in Uganda, when we come and pick you up at the airport.

All volunteers will stay with a host family who will share responsibility for their safety and welfare with the staff at RWEYOWA. Accommodation and meals at home will be included in the costs of volunteering. This arrangement also ensures that volunteers will have an unparalleled opportunity to learn about Ugandan culture by living with a Ugandan family. The food prepared at home will be African, not western, ensuring full immersion in local culture.

Once the volunteer period is complete participants will receive an official certificate from RWEYOWA in recognition of the contribution made to the organization.

Volunteering Costs and Visa Requirements

We ask volunteers to pay $350 for every month they spend working with RWEYOWA. This is to be paid in full at the start of the volunteer period, either on arrival in Uganda or before the participant leaves their home country. The amount covers all accommodation costs and food for the time spent with RWEYOWA.

Volunteers will also need a small amount each week for other costs such as luxury items or transport, although this is likely to be very low (e.g. it costs approximately 25 US cents / 15 pence with public transport to get to Kampala from RWEYOWA’s office and a decent meal in a local cafe will cost from 75 US cents - $1.50 / 50 pence - £1).

Aside from the cost of extending visas (see below), you will not be asked for anything more when you are working with us and we are glad to provide excellent volunteer opportunities at a fraction of the price of other organisations. Unfortunately the costs listed here do not include flights to Uganda or health insurance, which are the responsibility of the individual volunteer.

Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Uganda and this can be obtained from the Ugandan Embassy or High Commission in your country before you leave. It might be easier, however, simply to get a visa on arrival at Entebbe Airport. The process is simple and is probably a better option for most people. This first entry visa will last for 3 months and will usually be a simple tourist visa. If the volunteer period is to last for longer than this time then RWEYOWA will organize a visa extension but the volunteer will be required to pay for this in addition to the costs detailed above. A 6 month extension costs approximately $150 / £100.

Further Details

If you are interested in volunteering with us then please contact us and we will be delighted to give you more information. You can email us on:

info@rweyowa.org

or ring us on:

+256 752 876 783

If you would like to get in touch with a former volunteer then please go to our page on Volunteer Testimonies where you will find contact information for people who have worked with RWEYOWA and are happy to answer any questions you may have.