Volunteer Information
Thank you for your interest in volunteering to work alongside the Kisowera Community as they develop in conjunction with HUMES. Here is basic information about Uganda and the project that should help you make a decision about whether this volunteer opportunity is right for you.
Uganda has a democratically elected, stable government. It is relatively safe for both men and women and Ugandans are for the most part, extremely friendly and approachable. The highest risks to foreigners are from illness, car accidents and theft.
It is a developing nation however, with in your face overpopulation, noise, dirt, lack of facilities and extreme poverty. This is not the place to come for a relaxing holiday or to be pampered. This is the right choice for you if you’re prepared to endure hardship and frustrations to be of use to those who most need assistance. This is a perfect choice if you want an experience that will change you and leave you feeling that your volunteer time benefited others.
The Volunteer Opportunity
Kisowera is located about 30 km from Kampala, but can take upwards of 2 hours by road to reach, due to heavy traffic congestion. The HUMES site is located in a quiet, rural setting and is simply 5 acres of land at the moment without buildings or facilities of any nature. Volunteers will stay in Mukono, about 10 km from Kisowera, closer to Kampala. Mukono has limited facilities, but volunteers can easily make do here (internet café, swimming pool, massage, grocery stores, bars and restaurants, banks, etc.) Kampala has everything that can be found in a Northern city (cinemas, foreign food, cafes, big box stores, etc) and can easily be reached and enjoyed in a days’ outing.
Food
Breakfast: Plain egg omelet, white bread, jam, fruit
Lunch/Dinner: Rice, root vegetables or cabbage and meat
Meat: Deep fried or boiled beef, chicken, fish, goat and sometimes pork
Vegetables: Very rare in restaurants. Abundant in local markets.
Junk foods: Disappointing, overly oiled, under sugared, overly salted
Fast foods, take away, cafes and sweet foods are not available in our area.
Weather
Dry: Jan to Mar and June to Oct
Wet: March to May and November to December
The country sits on the equator so sunup is about 7am and sundown is about 7pm all year long
Health
It is your responsibility to obtain all inoculations before arriving. You must carry your travel immunization record with you. Anti-malarial medication is strongly advised. Bring with you whatever you need to keep healthy or any supplements. Don’t presume you can buy anything in country. There are very good international health centres in Kampala if you fall ill, but nothing recommended in Mukono and nothing at all at Kisowera.
AIDS is rampant. Don’t make your trip to Uganda the last one you are able to take.
Malaria
Malaria is rife in this area of Uganda. The risk of contracting malaria is high, it can kill within 12 hours and chloroquine resistance has become a problem. There are many other very effective prophylactics which you can buy and begin taking before arriving, that are highly effective. Testing and treatment is easily obtained in Mukono.
Insurance
It is your responsibility to carry insurance. HUMES will not be liable for any illness, injury or loss resulting from any volunteer activities before, during or after your stay.
Money
Travel in country on public systems is cheap
Food is cheap
Second hand items are cheap
Mostly everything else is either mid ranged or likely more expensive than what you could buy it for at home.
To live comfortably in a 2 star hotel, volunteer daily, have a few beers and a meal at the end of the day, will likely cost about US$500 per week. If you intend to shop, go on safari, spend weekends in Kampala living it up, plan to double that amount to be sure of having enough.
Cash, credit cards and debit cards with a “Plus” sign on the back will work in bank machines in Uganda. You will lose money on traveller’s cheque transactions and will need to go to Kampala to change them. US and British cash can be changed in any bank or Forex all over the country. Notes smaller than $50 give poorer exchange rates. It is not possible to buy Ugandan shillings outside of the country. You can change money or use plastic on your arrival in Entebbe.
US DOLLARS OLDER THAN 2001 CANNOT BE CHANGED ANYWHERE IN UGANDA
A combination of about $300 cash and a useable plastic card with perhaps $300 in traveller’s cheques for an emergency should cover all bases.
There are internet cafes in Mukono. Service is slow, electricity is unpredictable, computers are not protected and often faulty. It will cost about $2 per hour to surf. USB devices, cameras, etc can all be plugged in at the owner’s risk.
It is possible to buy a USB run modem for about $100 that will give you 24 hr access to the internet. Monthly usage plans start at about $35.
Cultural Sensitivity
Tipping is not expected for any service.
Wearing appropriate clothing shows respect. Ugandans take great pride in their appearance.
Greetings are very important – before launching into a conversation, spend time greeting.
Ugandans are friendly and helpful and it is unnecessary to swear or be rowdy.
Prices are generally not fixed. Barter for all services on the street and most in shops.
Ugandans enjoy having their photos taken, but it is polite to ask first. Do not give money, but send a copy instead.
Ugandans are poor and some will ask for handouts. Giving money will make it difficult for those who follow you to say no and for HUMES to integrate in Kisowera.
Gifts of school resources, sports clothing for orphan boys, payment of school fees or medical supplies are welcome and can be distributed with the help of HUMES.
Ugandans’ expectations about intimate romantic liaisons is that they will lead to marriage. Please bear in mind that your actions can cause lasting emotional damage, reflect badly on HUMES and could result in termination of your placement.
Visas
Visas are bought in the airport on arrival. A 3 month tourist visa costs US$50 and you must have the exact amount in cash. There are NO facilities to change/obtain money at arrivals. You can try to obtain a visa before entry if you have a Ugandan Embassy near your home.
Getting Around
HUMES will meet you at the airport or help arrange a car to pick you up and bring you to Mukono. We will spend time with you to help you acclimatize, deal with any problems or concerns that arise throughout your stay, and generally take care of you. We can find people to do laundry, cook, take you out on the town, help arrange tours, etc. We live in Uganda, speak the language and have connections. You will not be left to your own devices unless that’s your desire.
Accommodation
Living arrangements will be made according to your wishes. Anything from being a guest in our home to a hostel to a 5 star hotel are available. We will give you options according to the time of year you are coming, how independent you want to be and how many others will be here at the same time.
What to bring for two weeks
Work clothes: T-shirts, long cotton trousers, socks, sturdy shoes, HAT
Daily living clothes (100% light weight cotton recommended)
HAT
4-8 t-shirts
2 long sleeved t-shirts
MEN ONLY 3 pairs of shorts
WOMEN ONLY 3 dresses or skirts
WOMEN ONLY capris pants
3 pairs of long trousers
1 pair of walking shoes
1 raincoat/poncho/waterproof trousers
Cotton underwear
Sandals (waterproof is best)
Swimming costume
1 hoody
1 smart outfit for evenings in Kampala
1 dressy outfit for nightclubs in Kampala
Dark colours are best as they don’t show the dirt as easily.
Avoid bringing clothes that need to be ironed.
Women can wear spaghetti straps, but nothing that shows the midrift.
Skirts above the calf will attract a LOT of attention which may be overwhelming.
Shorts and hipsters are NOT acceptable on women.
Oddly enough, bikinis are ok.
Other useful Items
Passport photos if you intend to extend your visa or visit the gorillas
Towel
Sunscreen (not readily available and VERY expensive in Uganda)
DEET
Sunglasses
Good flashlight or head torch (bring an extra bulb)
Hand sanitizers
Money belt
Water resistant watch with alarm and light functions
Personal toiletries
Personal first aid kit
Adaptor plugs for electrical items
Transformer (220v to 110v) if you intend using electrical appliances from the USA
Lonely Planet Guides (for Uganda and further travelling)
Swiss Army knife
Mini sewing kit
Laptop with surge protector, adaptor and extra battery
DVD movies to play on your laptop
MP3 player
A good book or two
Battery charger + rechargeable batteries
Video camera + charger + batteries, adaptor and blank tapes
Digital camera and extra batteries
Second set of prescription glasses, if applicable and/or contact lenses
Binoculars if you intend to travel
Vitamins, medicines, supplements like acidophilus
***Patience
***Humour
NOTE: Leave all expectations at home!
Electrical
Three pronged, British plugs are used. Adaptors are necessary for all other types.
Phones
Some cell phones can be unlocked in country
Pay as you go Ugandan ones can be bought starting at $30
Ugandan phone numbers have 10 digits beginning with a zero: 0779 87 12 82 for in country calls
The international dial code is 256
International callers should not dial zero. In the above example, a caller from Canada will dial the international dial number 011 then 256 then 779 87 12 82
Still Undecided? Read my personal day to day experiences at: http://fouraspect.blogspot.com