Ssamba Foundation

I have spent two months in Kyampisi. This has been the best time of my life. The people are so cordial, I directly felt like being home. Once I got to Uganda, everyone was very happy to help and very supportive. I had an amazing time at my project teaching Spanish.

I worked in a local high school and helped the classroom with Spanish lessons, I taught 3 classes. The children were eager and motivated to learn. I was encouraged by Mr. Ssamba to teach Spanish lessons and it turned out to be a really good experience and I enjoyed to be a teacher although that were really exhausting days.

At the end of my volunteer project, I ended my time here with a weeklong safari to Bwindi for Gorilla trekking experience and Queen Elizabeth national park, all organized by Mr. Ssamba.

After the school teaching, I went to the gardens and I always joined the family on farm work, planting beans, matooke (bananas), and feeding the chicken at the volunteer house. Sandy my sister who runs the house was a wonderful host throughout my stay and she is the kindest most loving person you can imagine.

The people I have met have all been so wonderful and with the biggest hearts. There is so much to see and do here. I am very sad to leave Kyampisi, it has been the most humbling, eye opening and wonderful experience. Thank you to everyone who has opened their hearts to me. Uganda truly is a very beautiful place.

My trip to Uganda with Ssamba Foundation was incredible. I went for six weeks, and enjoyed every moment of it!! The activities were explorative, the wildlife was mind-boggling, the scenery was awe-inspiring and the staff were utterly fantastic.

This is not my first time volunteering but it is my first time volunteering anywhere abroad. At first, I didn’t know what to expect so I was a little apprehensive but pleasantly surprised when I got there. As an Aussie I can confirm this is the best free volunteer program in Uganda and in the world.

The teaching out there is challenging and rewarding, especially when you get to talk to the locals and begin to understand how much difference you can make to improve lives.
I can honestly say that “I really did not want to leave!”. I hope that, when you consider doing this project, you understand that yes it is an adventure and yes it is a once in a life time experience; but also you get as much as you put in.

The whole experience was brilliant for me. Simply living in the rural jungle and going back to basics, cooking lunch and dinner for each other every day and enjoying a truly communal atmosphere was totally unique and wonderful.

I learnt so much from the endless knowledge of the staff members, more especially Hon. Isaac Ssamba, the Founder and George my daily contact, and learnt even more about myself from simply going out there on my own and seeing how I coped. I took some excellent photos, I grew as a person and I made some now beloved friends in the process.

I would highly recommend this project for anybody who is outgoing, adventurous and enjoys having simply an amazing time.

My trip to Uganda with Ssamba Foundation was incredible. I went for six weeks, and enjoyed every moment of it!! The activities were explorative, the wildlife was mind-boggling, the scenery was awe-inspiring and the staff were utterly fantastic.

This is not my first time volunteering but it is my first time volunteering anywhere abroad. At first, I didn’t know what to expect so I was a little apprehensive but pleasantly surprised when I got there. As an Aussie I can confirm this is the best free volunteer program in Uganda and in the world.

The teaching out there is challenging and rewarding, especially when you get to talk to the locals and begin to understand how much difference you can make to improve lives.
I can honestly say that “I really did not want to leave!”. I hope that, when you consider doing this project, you understand that yes it is an adventure and yes it is a once in a life time experience; but also you get as much as you put in.

The whole experience was brilliant for me. Simply living in the rural jungle and going back to basics, cooking lunch and dinner for each other every day and enjoying a truly communal atmosphere was totally unique and wonderful.

I learnt so much from the endless knowledge of the staff members, more especially Hon. Isaac Ssamba, the Founder and George my daily contact, and learnt even more about myself from simply going out there on my own and seeing how I coped. I took some excellent photos, I grew as a person and I made some now beloved friends in the process.

I would highly recommend this project for anybody who is outgoing, adventurous and enjoys having simply an amazing time.

Volunteering:
I was volunteering during January for 3 weeks at Ssamba Foundation in January 2022. I wanted to donate my time to a smaller family based organization instead of a bigger company and I regret that decision!!
Nothing was ever organized, no one could present a schedule or what we will do and when, we had days that no one showed up. If you are thinking about volunteering stay away from this foundation!

Safari wise:
Isaac is claiming that he is 'cooperating' with a tour company so he can transfer the responsibility of canceling/holding money back etc. to the non existing company.
I spent 3 weeks there (originally I planned 4 weeks) but had to leave 1 week earlier because of work. I could participate on the Jinja tour and 1 safari but because of my early leave I couldn't join to the 2nd safari (by that time I already paid for it).
Isaac said that let's wait for others to join the tour so I can get back the full amount ,because if I cancel I will lose 50% of the money (that detail was shared only after I paid) and that would have been fine with me since I really did cancel.
In the beginning Isaac pretended to help with the refund but after he came up with all kinds of excuses and fake stories and when I asked for the "company" contacts to handle it myself he is completely disappeared.
Since January he still owes me money and ignoring all my texts. As I can see from other comments he has stolen money from other volunteers as well.

He is also faking good reviews with different users (like Suntrack Advantures ) and commenting positive things so it is a really well organized scam.

I advise everyone to stay away from Isaac, the organization and everyone associated with the activities since his surrounding (family, local volunteers etc.) know about this and supporting him. Volunteers for them are only moneybags and everything that Isaac does is only for the profit.

I took part in a sustainable Agriculture Development Program (14.02.2022 - 21.03.2022). The communication and help before my arrival in Kalagi was good and easy-going. Accommodation and food was basic. I also enjoyed my volunteer job even if the communication was a little bit difficult sometimes (e.g. neither Isaac or Sandra could tell me what was the plan for the next day or at what time we’ll start working). The big issue I have with Ssama Foundation is that I booked 2 safari tours with them in advance and paid 970 USD. Isaac is cooperating with a tour company and paid them, booked the tour for me etc.. Both safari tours were cancelled last minute and Isaac approved that they’ll refund my money. Till today I didn’t see any of my money back (it’s more than 3 months later now). I wrote Isaac several times about it and he pretended to take care of it. I also asked for contact information from the tour company that I can get in touch with them, but he never send me an e-mail-adresse or phone number (not even the name of the tour company…). Since a few weeks he is not responding to any of my messages. I’m very very disappointed and feel cheated on as I spent 5 weeks working for them, supporting their project, I even donated money for an important surgery for a close family member of them and that’s what I’m getting back. Be cautious before booking anything.