Ethical Volunteer Opportunities in Uganda

I went to volunteer with TRU in 2015. It was my first time leaving the country and I was doing it SOLO.
Leslie was amazing the entire time. Before I arrived she answered any and all questions- I think I even asked her what bugs I could expect when I arrived- HA!
The backpackers they posted me up at was safe and friendly. Beautiful with some nummy food!
Meeting Leslie was amazing. It was like reconnecting with an old friend. She took me out and told me what to expect for my time there.
When that was finished I volunteered for 2 weeks with hopeline. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience. To this day I think of Uganda frequently. Every day I use things I learned while there. It really opened my eyes to the world and the different experiences available to us that we should take advantage of.
TRU was friendly, educational, adventurous. I would go back in a heartbeat if the opportunity arises.

I really enjoyed my time with The Real Uganda. Leslie takes the time to set you up with amazing grassroots organizations and goes above and beyond to make sure that you have a safe and rewarding experience.

I worked with two organizations during my three months there and got some great experience in teaching health education classes, grant writing, and fundraising support for local non-profits. I was able to work with the programs to make sure that I was able to play to my strengths as a public health professional, and gained so many valuable skills. I learned so much from my mentors/program directors in Uganda, and if you put in the effort you will develop some amazing lifelong friendships.

Leslie also took the time to teach me the basics of travelling in Uganda, and recommended some great travel spots for my free time including river rafting on the Nile and a waterfall hike at Sipi Falls.

It was a great time I spent in Uganda, Kabembe Parents School in Mukono district. The coordinator of the program, the director of the school, teachers and students - everyone was very welcoming and made me feel like home. The work was great, also thanks to all the teaching materials I had brought with me. So I would recommend bringing teaching tools and materials with you which can be very helpful and make your work more interesting. The students were amazing, full of joy and very eager to learn. It was such a pleasure to teach them. I have also learned something from them and have brought new friendships. I will always have warm thoughts about the place, the school, and all the people I met there. It was indeed an experience of a lifetime in many aspects. The living conditions were ok, the help and support of the coordinator of the program was very good (regarding work at school and weekend trips). It was a piece of real Uganda :) that I have experienced.

Through this experience I lived and breathed the ‘real Uganda’ for 3 months.

I was teaching in the school during the week and going on adventures around Uganda in the weekend. Leslie from The Real Uganda was great at making me feel safe and supported.

Visiting uganda with The Real Uganda was the best decision I have ever made. I'll be honest it wasn't smooth sailing the whole time (culture shock is a thing), but the experience, the people and the culture made it unforgettable. The organisation was exceptional, and they chose a fantastic school to place me at, which I will always consider my 'Ugandan Home.' I made lifelong friends and learned so much more about myself. I can't wait to go back!

So to those considering an international volunteer teaching placement- look no further.

From the minute I contacted Leslie at The Real Uganda, I knew it was the perfect match for me! The communication was superb and every query was answered promptly. I was fortunate enough to spend just under 4 months teaching at Grace Orphanage School in rural Uganda. I felt welcomed and a part of the community within just a few days. As a trained teacher I felt that my years of experience did come in handy, however if you are not a trained teacher there are always other ways to help in the classroom and community. It was great to always have Leslie to touch base with and she always ensured we were safe within our community and throughout weekend travel around Uganda. I could not recommend this experience enough.... it was life changing and was honestly the happiest time of my life.

What a wonderful experience. Leslie was very helpful. School director Liz was sweet and welcoming. I spent a month living in village teaching small children. Loved every minute of it. I hope to be back one day ... spent most omg in classroom, afternoon playing with kids in orphanage, evenings visiting village. Learned so much about people in Uganda. Was able to visit capital city and take your down to south border for gorilla watching and safari. Wish I had more time and could stay longer. Be ready to rough it out some. Running water and electricity is not a guarantee in villages. I will forever be thankful for this wonderful experience. Everything was very well organized. I didn’t have any difficulty during my stay , and felt safe at all times.

How to put into words... I spent 3 months in Uganda with The Real Uganda and it was truly the most amazing experience on so many levels. This was my first time going overseas to volunteer and honestly it could not have been smoother. The Real Uganda takes care of every small detail you wouldn't even know you needed. Like showing where to get SIM cards for your phone, how to withdraw cash from a local bank and goes over all the local customs of what to do and not do in country. Then they bring you to your placement of choice but are always just a phone call away if you need anything. I went to a village school and lived at the head masters house, a short walk from the school. My main intention was art education and practice, as this is considered more of a 'luxury' and not typically offered. I brought with me an extra suitcase packed with art materials and had the most amazing time creating projects with the kids! We even painted a large mural inside one of the dorm rooms. Everyone at the school and in the neighborhood could not have been more welcoming. Yes it can be challenging at times not having all the comforts of home... but that is exactly why I went! I still think about this trip often even a few years later. I'll make it back there one day. And I can't recommend The Real Uganda highly enough! They will take good care of you. If you are considering a trip, Just Do It! You won't regret it.

I volunteered with the Real Uganda right after I graduate high school in the summer of 2016. I spent months researching programs that felt authentic, credible, and sustainable. I found all of these things with The Real Uganda and my placement in Lugazi is something I will never forget. Leslie made sure I felt very safe there, which was important for both my parents and my own peace of mind :) since doing this program, I’ve pursued further volunteer opportunities around the region and globe and I feel as though my experience in Uganda equipped me with really valuable skills, along with boosting my resume. My house had some electricity, and no plumbing, which was an adjustment but was an adjustment I knew I would need to make. I can’t recommend this program enough!