Most Affordable & Trusted Volunteer Programs in Uganda from $280

When I first thought about volunteering in Uganda I was only thinking about myself and how it would help me in my life. I thought it would make me appreciate what I have in America, how thankful I should be for having loving parents and friends, and the education I have received here. However I found my experience to bring forth different emotions. It's hard to put into words the feelings I experienced as I stepped inside the dirt floored classroom, or when I saw little children walking miles with jugs of water to take back to their families. They say you experience culture shock when you live in a different country. But I didn't feel it, I felt nothing but joy and happiness when I was with the children and locals. They were all so nice and so willing to help. Can't find many people like that in America. Although I didn't experience culture shock when just was in Uganda, I have experienced it everyday since I've been back in America. I miss the simplicity of life, the welcoming from everyone, and the constant happiness. I have never met a group of students who were more willing to learn than those in Uganda. They love life, it's that simple. So instead of only thinking about myself before I went to uganda, I now cannot stop thinking about others, I constantly remind myself how happy those kids were, and how happy life can truly be in America, helping others has become my passion and I would do anything to bring a smile to someone else's face.

My unique story of my time in Uganda (among many others) is the following: on my first medical outreach program in the local communities, I met a man with osteomyelitis (a bone infection) resulting from a third degree burning wound the man had had for about 10 years at the time I met him that day. He could not use his leg anymore and had his lower leg folded against his upper leg, wrapped up in a sheet. The wound was severely infected and pus was coming out of it and parts of the bone were even exposing. The man was paralyzed (third degree burning had burned the nerves so he had no feeling in his leg). He had never seen a doctor before, so we decided to treat the his wound with the primitive tools that we had brought with us. We cleaned the wound with antiseptic and tried to drain the pus with the needle of a syringue. That we applied local anti-bacterial cream and put a band-aid on the wound and started oral antibiotic therapy, though it was obvious that he needed IV antibiotics but he could not afford that.
This was my first case as a medical student in a 3 week medical program in Uganda and yet I was been confronted with a situation that I could not solve. We tried later to fix an ambulance to bring him to the hospital but still, who would pay for his treatment once he would get there? I went to Uganda to help, but sometimes you cannot help everyone. But your presence there shall not be unnoticed. At least I was there for this man and I actually tried to do the best I could. And that is how he will remember me. As a doctor that at least tried to save his limb and his life, for free. He will have the feeling that at least someone was looking after him, although he could not cure him. I found consolation in this.

The time I spent in Uganda with V2U in February/March 2015 was (once again) a simply great experience for me. You gotta love the smaller organization and the friendly and thankful people around your area and in the country. I did the teaching programm and I was lucky that I could go to a school where I didn't simply replace a teacher and his work (which is unfortunately quite often the case), but I hat the opportunity to lead the class on my own, of course - if needed - with the help and advices of the other friendly teachers at the school. The programm in Uganda is a great place to be, I enjoyed it very much but as always, you have to remember, the volunteer programms are only as good as you want them to be, so be open minded, show some will to learn smth and share experiences and contribute something more than a "simple" service (helpful goods)!

As a former IVHQ volunteer, I’m disappointed to say that IVHQ doesn't appear to properly vet their Uganda program or take volunteer concerns seriously. I was placed in an illegal, unregistered orphanage during my June 2013 placement and returned to Uganda in September of 2013 (independent of IVHQ) to continue to seek resolution for these children. The Ugandan government ordered all children removed from the home and yet IVHQ’s local partner insisted that his volunteers return to help facilitate construction so this abusive institution could reopen. I took my concerns all the way to the IVHQ director, but was disappointed at his complacency and lack of communication. In my opinion, the director of the Uganda program (a staff member of International Volunteer Network/ IVN) is corrupt and doesn’t have sufficient regard for the wellbeing of his volunteers. I’m certainly not alone in that opinion. A lengthy recounting of recent events is posted on my blog. Please, please, please demand to know your placements before you get on foreign soil. Research IVHQ’s incountry partners and your actual placement before turning over your money.

I blogged the events in a series of 5 blog posts on my blog, Lucky Break Blog.

After waiting 2 full weeks for any sort of acknowledgement of my concerns from the IVHQ director, he managed to delete my post at the IVHQ Facebook within 90 minutes and reply, in part:

“…while we have said we will treat any allegations she makes seriously, providing she has proof, all we have received so far are very dramatic allegations with no base which makes it difficult for us to look into things further.”

The IVHQ director hasn’t asked me for a thing. Would he like the police reports? Eyewitness accounts of the director of the International Volunteer Network trying to muscle his way into my hotel after the IVHQ director told him not to meet with me? I’d be happy to engage IVHQ in a conversation and answer any questions they may have and provide any proof they seek. The problem is: they’re not concerned with critical opinions of the program. They dismiss and move onto the next group of potential volunteers. Shameful.

I first will say that I had a great time with my flat mates while in Uganda. I enjoyed my program but am very disappointed with the in country coordinator. From the moment i arrived in Uganda it felt like it was all money, money, money. It really kind of left me in a tight spot. Then being told to ask my friends for more to cover costs?

That should have been covered before I left home. I will not be using IVHQ again.

p.s. It wasn't the locals that were bothering me for money, it was the program trying to get me to pay for everything!

I continually felt like I was only valued as a source of income for the program as a walking wallet. The other volunteers I worked with during my time at the specific program I worked at felt the same way. There were many occasions where they just flat out expected us to buy/pay for things that we were not expecting.

I cannot say enough about the IVHQ Uganda program!! Right from the beginning of my application process with IVHQ, I was given an incredible amount of support preparing for my travels abroad. Upon arrival in Uganda, I was greeted by two of the warmest smiles: James and Joyce. They instantly made me feel comfortable, which was particularly appreciated as I traveled from the US on my own and have never been to an African country. I had no idea what to expect and right from the beginning, I knew it was going to be an absolutely unforgettable experience. I worked in an orphanage not far from the capital city of Kampala.
While I was there, there were about 10 other volunteers at any given time. Many of them did some fundraising before they went abroad so they would have additional funds to spend on projects at the orphanage. While I was there, the volunteers developed additional sports programs and bought new equipment, fixed up the schoolhouse, and helped out with the daily tasks. The accommodations at the orphanage were much better than anything I could have pictured. The rooms were comfortable and although there was no electricity, the program coordinators were more then happy to charge our cameras and cell phones for us. The kids were the most happy, beautiful little angels I have ever met in my life. They were so full of life and love. Two months after my return, I find myself thinking about them often throughout the day. I cannot wait to go back to Uganda and get to hug them all a few more times!! I would recommend this program to anyone. I have a billion positive things to say about it, but not a single negative comes to mind. I can truly say this was the most life changing and incredible experience and I owe it all to IVHQ and the Uganda team. "Often we set out in the world to make a difference in the lives of others, only to discover we have made a difference in our own."