We would definitely recommend this volunteering experience at Go Volunteer Africa

Ratings
Overall
5
Impact: 5
Support: 5
Fun: 5
Value: 5
Safety: 5
Review

Hello, I am Todd and my partner Eve. We are both Dental Hygienists from Toronto, Canada. We volunteered in Uganda with Go Volunteer Africa from 15th- May – 2025, up to 30th – May– 2025.

Before leaving for Uganda, Anna at Go Volunteer Africa answered all questions in a very timely manner. We felt slightly un- prepared for what to expect when we arrived but I think it was mostly due to our last minute decision to go.

The airport pick up was excellent!! We arrived late as our flight was delayed but Jacob was still there waiting to great us!! We didn’t have to wait at all. The placement was fantastic. As dental hygienists from Canada we had the opportunity to take part in/see things we wouldn’t normally get to experience at home.

Tororo General Hospital is extremely busy at all times it is fast paced environment but all the dentists that were there are ecstatic to have the extra help! We wish we had had a better idea of what to bring supply wise. We brought gloves, masks, gauze, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.

Toothbrushes and toothpaste was exactly what they needed. We also would recommend to future volunteers to bring floss, interdentally aides etc as they are nowhere in Tororo.

Our home stay family was amazing!! Living with a true African family forced us to learn the language, culture etc. that we most likely wouldn’t have done otherwise. Food is another experience all together, Eve is a very picky eater and she was pregnant when we arrived so she battled nausea, stomach problems and the wet foreign food was a challenge.

However there were plenty of “westernized” cafes in Tororo that helped us through our cravings and sick days. The highlights of our placement were the very diverse things we got to see at Tororo General Hospital.

As dental hygienists in Canada don’t have the opportunity to see jaws being wired shut or flap surgeries being done and we had the opportunity to assist here! We also got to extra teach the dentists how to properly clean teeth or sharpen instruments overall just being able to help those who needed help was our highlights!

Living with a family such as Winnie’s was amazing and unique. We also got a brief few minutes to go to an orphanage, which was unique in the sense that you timely get to see firsthand the poverty and seventy of some unfortunate situations.

Safari experience at Queen Elizabeth National Park was amazing. We got to see as many animals we wouldn’t see normally. It’s worth to get a 3-4 days experience!! We would also recommend to other volunteers going to the Murchison Falls as we heard amazing things about it and regret not doing it!

We would definitely recommend this volunteering experience at Go Volunteer Africa to others. It’s a great experience however you have to have an open mind and a” go with the flow” mentality. Winnie in Uganda was amazing. She was helpful and reliable.

Would you recommend this program?
Yes, I would
Year Completed
2025