Placement: Help Bring Hope to the Village of Mukono in Uganda

About the Placement

We are a community-based non-profit organisation located in Mukono, Uganda. Established by Isaac Ssamba in 2006, we design and conduct programs which contribute to the welfare and social productivity of disadvantaged individuals and communities with an emphasis on children and youth.

We address some of the most pervasive problems in rural Uganda, including HIV/AIDS, malaria, hunger, education, poverty, access to clean drinking water, and orphaned children. In addition, we focus on empowering the youth of Uganda through leadership and skills training. We were founded on the principles that our common humanity is more important than our individual differences. We therefore operate on a non-political, non-denominational, and non-sectarian basis, welcoming each and every Ugandan in need.

About Us: The focus of our programs is on providing resources for quality education in under-resourced communities. In order to uplift the youngest of our society however, it is often necessary to first assist adults and the communities in which they live. Past and/or ongoing projects conducted in the general community include feeding the destitute, outreach, counseling, and assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS and other medical ailments, counseling and immediate assistance to individuals who have been raped or defiled, building of village wells, assistance with womens craft groups, and organization and ongoing assistance with an organic community garden.

Building the Future: Phase I Orphanage, Sustainable Organic Garden, and Animal Rearing: Our overarching goal is to provide an environment where our children can truly invest in their dreams for the future. The home will initially support up to 55 children of all ages, faiths and cultures, and will provide the safe and secure environment necessary to the healthy physical and emotional growth of every child. The orphanage will also house an on-site primary school, ensuring that each and every child receives the education he or she so richly deserves. Older children in our care will receive the same benefit in the form of school sponsorships. In addition to basic education, all of our orphans will be endowed with valuable education that extends beyond the traditional: Training in disease prevention (personal hygiene, HIV/AIDS, malaria, typhoid), life skills, household and business budgeting skills, etc.

Phase II Technical and Leadership Skills Training Center: Mukono is home to 176,000 young men and women aged 18 to 30. Much of our rapidly growing youth population is frustrated by their lack of skills and subsequent absence of economic opportunities. This causes a sense of resentment and powerlessness that contributes to a dangerously unhealthy economy and stagnant society. We wish to address this senseless waste of talent in Phase II of our Hope Center, by operating on the premises a Technical and Leadership Skills Training Center for Mukono orphans and vulnerable youth. The Hope Center will offer skills to orphans, community youth, and others who would otherwise be left out and left behind.

Role of Volunteer

Would anyone like to volunteer for a stimulating and interesting position in Uganda??? We provide people of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to have an active part in helping develop a local community, and accept donations to improve standard of life for people living in Uganda. We make it possible to see what your money has specifically done for the local people and how it has helped them and their community.

For volunteers we aim to;

Give you the opportunity to experience life as a local.

Constantly prioritize/re-evaluate projects, so we are always focusing on the areas in most need.

Provide a safe and welcoming base for project work.

Where possible provide advice and guidance before and during project work.

At present we are connected to 10 community based grassroots projects and 4 schools where we place volunteers.

Make a donation by simply writing a cheque - you will be informed of what your money has been spent on and be added to our e-newsletter list so you can receive updates of our work

For the more adventurous, you can take part in one of our Safari trips around Uganda.

HOW TO APPLY: Please email us your resume, a list of your skills/interests, and tell us why you want to come live and volunteer in Uganda. Our program is pretty popular, so try to apply well in advance of when you are traveling.

You must arrive around the 1st or 15th of the month. We have a one month minimum and a 6 month maximum. If you want to stay longer, we will work it out if the space is available.

Cost: For the first month is $700. The fee covers support while you prepare for Uganda, airport pickup, accommodation, food while volunteering, supervision, a donation to the organization, second month $600 and $ 550 for any addition month. 3 Months paid at once is $ 550 and its covers all costs and $ 500 for 4-6 months paid at once. It also covers your in country fee, 24hr Emergency, Membership to host organization, All safe travel alert service and a Letter of Recognition after your service.

******You need to be at least 18 years old, speak English, and be in relatively good health to volunteer.******

Travel Information

ABOUT MUKONO TOWN

Whether you volunteer in Mukono town or in a village, you will likely use Mukono town as your base for services and meeting other volunteers. Its located on the Kampala-Jinja highway about 20km from Kampala. With a population of about 35,000, Mukono has 7 internet cafes, a major university, a bunch of restaurants and drinking spots, supermarkets, several banks, and luxury hotels with a swimming pool and gardens. Its easily accessible from all village placements by public transport.

By public transport it takes about 40 minutes to get to either Kampala or Jinja, which are good places to get specialized services or have some western fun.

Photo Gallery