Volunteer in a quality low cost community school in Kampala, Uganda

Details

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  Description

  We are a low-cost private school that serves poor communities in Uganda with an emphasis on slum areas. All our pupils are from the lowest income bracket. We operate a kindergarten (ages 3 - 6) and a primary school (ages 7-13) where we deliver high quality educational and recreational opportunities to the underprivileged at a very low cost. Our pioneer school was launched in February 2017 with an aim to have over 50 locations in the next ten years serving more than 25,000 pupils. The strategy here is to demonstrate a workable, scalable, sustainable and replicable model of how to extend access to high-quality, low-cost education for low-income families across Africa.
  
  Although we welcome volunteers all year round, we have limited spaces for each term and request that interested parties reserve a spot in advance. Our terms run from February - April, June - August and September - December. Despite the fact that we prefer to have volunteers who can commit to a full term's experience (3 months), we are still flexible enough to consider those that can stay for a shorter period. The school opens at 7:00 am to 4:00 pm and volunteers will be asked to work a maximum of 25 hours a week at any time of their choosing (Monday - Saturday), allowing them ample time to enjoy our beautiful country. Accommodation is available off the school premises depending on the number of volunteers present at a time.
  
  The role of the volunteers will be supporting local staff in teaching basic skills to our students. These include academics (literacy and numeracy), life skills, and leisure activities. This gives the opportunity to engage with children in the classroom and support them in recreational activities both on and off campus. We look forward to whatever new skills you could show our kids like yoga, sports, play a musical instrument...
  
  Even though experience with children is a bonus quality, we are looking for volunteers who are passionate about children, patient, and willing to explore and learn new skills.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Hospitality/Tourism

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Working with us is also great fun!
  
  Uganda is referred to as “The Pearl of Africa”
  
  We give our volunteers an opportunity to travel and experience all parts of Uganda by creating budgets depending on which locations they wish to visit and guides can show the wonders of our country without the hassle and stress of being alone in the unknown.
  
  You are always welcome to play football or any game with kids and youth, chat with them, sing and learn African songs or go for a walk in the neighborhood. Local people and especially children are very happy to spend their time with “Muzungu” (white person). Anywhere you go they greet you “Muzungu, how are you?”
  
  On the weekends and other days-off it’s a good time for touring and exploring Uganda – the pearl of Africa. We have plenty wonderful touring opportunities in and around Kampala.
  
  Lake Victoria - Take a boat ride out to see the island with a chimpanzee sanctuary and discover a huge variety of African wildlife.
  
  Jinja - A beautiful town home to the Source of River Nile and many other attractions like white water rafting, bungee jumping and kayaking.
  
  Karamoja region – Highly populated by uncivilized herdsmen tribes, retaining their traditional religious beliefs and unique lifestyle
  
  Kampala – Our bustling & vibrant capital city with lots of opportunities to go to western style restaurants, hotels and clubs. You can also visit the Mandela National Football Stadium and watch the Ugandan football team take on different opponents. Kampala also has historical sites and locations you could visit
  
  Entebbe – Not only the location of Entebbe International Airport (Uganda’s main airport), this is also a cozy little town surrounded by Victoria lake with a zoo, botanical gardens, and sandy beaches along the shore of the lake.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
  
  We are looking for volunteers with to help underprivileged and vulnerable children in our school with the following skills:
  
  - Fundraising / Grant Writing
  We are focused on improving our school and building more locations to serve more underprivileged children in Uganda. With plans to build at least 400 locations in the next ten years, the volunteer will be responsible for writing funding proposals for the project. He/she will be responsible for sourcing for funding opportunities both local and international. He/She will report to the Executive Director. Based at the school the volunteer will take the lead in writing grants and launch fundraising campaigns for our current programmes. Due to the size of our organisation, we do not fund salaries however we will pay the right candidate 5% commission for any grant secured up to a maximum amount to be agreed.
  
  - Marketing / Networking
  As a growing and ambitious organization, we strive to get on a fast track with all our projects. Thus we are in need of marketing and networking for our organization and our projects both locally and internationally.
  
  - Teacher training and Teaching
  Volunteers will be supporting local staff in teaching basic skills to our students. This will include very basic academics (literacy and numeracy), life skills, and leisure activities. We are also anxious for our volunteers to teach new skills to our students. We have nursery and primary classes at the school. If you have the qualities and abilities to teach young children and train our staff, your help would be highly useful.
  
  
  - Photography and Videography
  A volunteer with professional skills in Photography, filming and editing videos for all the current fundraising projects at the school. Mainly storytelling videos about the pupils' life in the community. Hopefully sharing this on YouTube, the academy website, and on our Facebook page would raise awareness among a larger number of people, increasing the opportunities for grants and donations.
  
  - Administration / Management training
  With growth, we meet the challenges of more effective administration/management of our organization and its projects. We need our organizational structures and procedures to be revised, perhaps new policies to govern our activities to be implemented. We welcome all kind of project management training
  
  - Sports education
  Children in Uganda are active and physically fit, we don't have professional sports trainers. The most popular sport here is soccer - every child dreams of being a football player. Thus football coaches would be most welcome. Children are very open to other sports too, volleyball, basketball, karate, etc. So if you can train any sport and love working with children, you will absolutely enjoy it because the kids are very eager to learn! (Sports days are twice a week)
  
  - Music / Dancing / Drama education
  We have a huge bunch of very creative children at our school (and one drum!) but we lack a professional art teacher. Music, singing, dancing and/or drama teachers would be very welcome. we dream of having our own music equipment and a students’ band!
  
  Would you like to volunteer without leaving your home? just contact us. we have placements for virtual volunteers..... the sky is a limit! you can be involved in many programs, including web design, online fundraising, volunteer recruitment (suitable for those able to mobilize volunteers), advocacy to our programs, ambassadorial positions and many more. just get in touch with us.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  LIVING IN A FURNISHED FLAT IN THE COMMUNITY!
  We give an opportunity for our volunteers to be a part of the community by renting them a room close to our school. We will pay for the room and will provide beddings, a mosquito net, bucket, Jerrycan, cup and plates for you. Monday to Friday, we provide your breakfast and lunch (basic school food) at the school. We can also provide you with utensils and a source of heat should you choose to cook for yourself once in a while. The accommodation is fully equipped with basics.

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  What else ...

  Its about 2 hours drive from Airport during rush hour and maybe less during normal hours of the day and a taxi or an uber will cost an average of $30 with your bags, drinking water, food, public toilet use. If you wish for us to pick-up you from the Airport we can arrange depending on the prevailing circumstances. But if you wish to come by yourself or we are not in position to pick you up, it costs $30 only.
  
  VISA INFORMATION
  Most visitors to Uganda need to obtain a visa including Europeans, Americans and nationals from Commonwealth countries such as New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Volunteers are advised to obtain a tourist visa to enter Uganda. Work permits and “CLASS G1 WORK VISAS – VOLUNTEERS, NGO WORKERS, MISSIONARIES” usually are too complicated to get. A single entry tourist visa (valid for three months from the date of issue) is available upon entry into Uganda - by land or air. Upon arrival, you will fill out a visa application form which you will submit alongside a payment of 100 USD (exact sum) to receive your visa. Acquiring the Visa upon arrival is cheaper and the process straight forward, moreover the chances of Visa denial are almost zero if you can meet the simple entry requirements.
  
  A six-month multiple entry visa. Other categories of multiple entry visas (12 months, 24 months & 36 months) can be applied for at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kampala. Information on these other categories can be found on the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Where visitors seek to stay longer than the period granted on arrival, extension of the period should be sought from the Immigration Headquarters in Kampala before expiry of the initial visitor’s pass.
  
  Below is a list of countries whose National do not require to pay for a visa to enter Uganda: Angola, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Burundi, Comoros, Cyprus, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Italy (Diplomatic Passport holders only), Jamaica, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Nationals of these countries are issued gratis (free of charge) visas upon their arrival.
  
  Passport: You need a valid passport, one that is expiring at least 6 months from the date you enter Uganda.
  
  
  • Sufficient Funds: No amount is currently specified by the immigration, but having a Credit Card and a return ticket are good evidence to convince the immigration officer that you have enough money with you.
  • Return / Onward Tickets: This is your evidence to prove that you have enough money on you, however, if you possess a one-way ticket, be ready to do some explaining to the immigration officer who might think you do not have enough funds to buy a flight out the country.
  
  International Health Certificate: You may sometimes be requested to present this document to show that have received a yellow fever vaccine shot. You should do the vaccination at least two weeks before arrival to Uganda, as it starts working in your immune system in 10 days after you get shot.
  
  Internet Access:
  When it comes to internet access, we currently do not have any wifi at the school. However, most volunteers can get a national SIM card for a maximum of $1, and load it with 3G internet. There are also internet cafes nearby in Nansana town.
  
  We welcome all volunteers to Uganda, a nation with the reputation as the friendliest people in Africa. Described as a heaven that combines the charms of tropical beach idyll with a fascinating historical heritage, rich in cultural variety and some interesting wildlife in the national parks.
  
  A unique experience for volunteers to feel the taste of life in tropical Africa - Uganda, a former British Colony known as the 'pearl of Africa'. Volunteers will have the opportunity to meet their peers, learn about the Ugandan Culture and discover it's blend of African traditions and British influence. We have up to date literature on how to travel around the city of Kampala and places to visit (tourist attractions) in Uganda. An English speaking country, Uganda is politically safe and stable, hence it offers a rewarding introduction to Africa.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4 hours a day, 5 days a week.

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