Go Volunteer Africa

Studying abroad was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Living in a different country pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow both personally and academically. I was exposed to new cultures, languages, and perspectives that changed the way I see the world. Everyday activities—such as navigating public transportation, communicating with people from different backgrounds, and adapting to a new education system—taught me independence and resilience. One of the most rewarding parts of my experience was meeting people from many different countries. Through friendships and shared experiences, I learned about traditions, food, and ways of thinking that were completely new to me. These interactions helped me develop stronger communication skills and a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity. Academically, studying abroad allowed me to explore subjects from a global perspective and learn from professors with different teaching styles. Outside the classroom, traveling to nearby cities and historical sites helped me better understand the region’s history and culture. Overall, my time abroad expanded my worldview and gave me confidence to face new challenges. It was not always easy, but every challenge became an opportunity to learn and grow. I returned home with unforgettable memories, lifelong friendships, and a stronger sense of who I am and what I want to achieve in the future.

My name is Lukas Powell, born on 23 November 2003, and I am an American volunteer from the United States. In January 2026, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Go Volunteer Africa in Mukono, Uganda, an experience that was both meaningful and transformative. During my time in Mukono, I was warmly welcomed by the local community and the Go Volunteer Africa team. I gained valuable hands-on experience while working alongside local staff and other volunteers, and I learned a great deal about community development, teamwork, and cultural exchange. The experience challenged me to adapt to a new environment, think creatively, and approach tasks with patience and respect. Volunteering in Uganda helped me grow personally and professionally. I developed stronger communication skills, became more culturally aware, and learned the importance of service-driven work. The support and guidance provided Go Volunteer Africa made my experience rewarding and well-organized, and I always felt encouraged and valued as a volunteer. Overall, my volunteer experience in Mukono was extremely positive and impactful. I am grateful to Go Volunteer Africa for the opportunity, and I would highly recommend their programs to anyone seeking a meaningful and authentic volunteering experience in Africa.

My volunteer experience in Uganda, Mukono through Go Volunteer Africa was truly one of the most meaningful and unforgettable experiences of my life. From the very beginning, everything was well organized, supportive, and deeply authentic. Mukono is a beautiful place peaceful, welcoming, and full of life. Being part of the local community allowed me to experience Uganda beyond tourism. The people were kind, open-hearted, and always willing to share their culture, stories, and smiles. My hosts, Isaac and Sandra, were absolutely amazing. They went above and beyond to make me feel safe, comfortable, and at home from day one. Their hospitality was genuine, warm, and full of care. They were always available to guide, support, and encourage me, not just as a volunteer, but as part of their family. Thanks to them, I quickly adjusted to life in Mukono and truly felt like I belonged. The volunteer work itself was impactful and fulfilling. It was inspiring to see how even small efforts can make a real difference in the community. I learned so much about Ugandan culture, resilience, community values, and myself. This experience changed my perspective and left me with memories and friendships I will treasure forever. I highly recommend Go Volunteer Africa to anyone looking for a meaningful, well-supported, and life-changing volunteer experience. And if you get the chance to stay with Isaac and Sandra, consider yourself very lucky, you will be in the best hands. This was not just volunteering; it was a journey of growth, connection, and purpose. Uganda is a beautiful country in all aspects - the people, the landscape, and the rich culture all made my time there the most amazing experience. There are many diverse volunteer projects with Go Volunteer Africa scattered across the country from Kampala, Mukono, Jinja, Masaka etc. My volunteering experience in Mukono was exceptional! The opportunity to get to know and work with the others on the team was a pleasure. I was more than satisfied with all aspects of my time there. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and that goal was definitely met! Thank you Go Volunteer Africa and thank you team Uganda for the wonderful experience.

There is nothing that I can complain about, even if I looked through every minute detail of my experiences with this company. I loved my experience so much, I have spent the past 3 summers in Uganda with Go Volunteer Africa doing different voluntary projects. The staff make sure that you are well looked after and cared for, and make sure you never feel alone even when you are so far from home. This company has given me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people and create so many great memories. I have done both the teaching sports project and the building work project, and in both projects there was no shortage of work to do, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. The staff in Uganda and at office are extremely helpful, and go out of their way to fix any problem that arises. The staff in Uganda are on hand 24 hours a day and would have no qualms to take you to a doctor in the middle of the night if you felt unwell. I had the pleasure of staying with a wonderful host family, which I stay in touch with. They welcomed me into their home like one of their own, and for that I will be forever grateful. Thank you go volunteer Africa!

Dear ________ I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in volunteering at your organization I've always admired the work volunteering in our community and I'm eager to contribute my time and skills to your valuable initiatives. I believe my strong communication skills, organizational abilities, experience working with diverse groups would be a great asset to your team. In my previous experience volunteering at a local organizations I gained valuable skills. I am available to volunteer and I am reliable, dedicated, and a quick learner, and I am keen to support the positive impact has on our community. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Gemechu Workineh.

I didn't know anything about the Go Volunteer Africa before I decided to apply to volunteer in Uganda, and I chose them because it was the best option that I found through researching many different options. I wanted to do something hands one. Go Volunteer Africa was the best value for time and money. The team that runs Go Volunteer Africa are extremely passionate about their work in the rural communities and share the little they have with others. I highly recommend this organization to other volunteers. During my 8 weeks volunteering at Go Volunteer Africa, I was afforded the best experience of my lifetime, I got involved in a number of projects and visited many different locations within Uganda, and I got a rich experience of what life is really like. Looking forward to visit the team again.

I traveled to Uganda, to volunteer with Go Volunteer Africa for 2 weeks. So the first thing I can say is that always apply for more weeks, if you really want to experience the Ugandan culture, and also to enjoy what Uganda has to offer. It was the best experience I have had in my life so far. My experience was very authentic and valuable to my profession as medical student. I at some point stayed with other volunteers at the Volunteers’ house but most of the time stayed with a sweet host family in Mukono. The Country Manager, Isaac was so incredibly warm and welcoming. Although I didn’t see him often, but he was always available, when we needed him, he knows every bit of his culture and he is a good resource. The truth is nobody is prepared to come to Uganda until you come but believe me, after you are ready for everything and you will never want to leave! I am incredibly grateful to the entire Ugandan team and Go Volunteer Africa for making my experience so rich. Overall, this was a very humbling and realistic way to experience Uganda and the rural culture and healthcare system. Thank you!

Pre Departure: Anna always got back to our team very quickly and answered all our questions that were great and really comforting. Arrival/Airport Pickup: Isaac in Uganda was there even though our flight was late and that was very good. Isaac was a great driver and stopped for us to get water. Placement: I really enjoyed working 2 projects, they were both very different but all of the staff members were very welcoming and allowed us to work with the children in the best way possible. Home stay/host family & meals: The group got to stay together under one roof so we felt really comfortable. The host family was wonderful. The Ugandan family were very friendly and welcoming. Highlights of your placement: Getting to know the children and teaching my own class at Hope Children’s Academy was really interesting and rewarding. The kids at Mukono were always full of joy and Isaac was fun to be around. Any unique experiences?: Learning a bit of Luganda, waking up and seeing children waving Mzungu, waking up to roaster crowing, walking the streets by ourselves, and getting to know the wonderful town of Mukono. We saw a lot of animals and the trip was great. Would you recommend this program to others? Yes, I will let others know about these programs and recommend they go to Mukono. It is beautiful there and the people are wonderful. Thank you so much for everything. I will cherish this experience always and I hope to return someday soon to work with the organization again. Thank you.

Subject: Feedback on Voluntary Work for RSDO in Rwamagana. Dear RSDO and mister Faustin, I want to thank you for the opportunity to be part of this project in Rwanda. It was a meaningful experience, and I truly enjoyed working with the children and young women, especially in encouraging their participation in sports. Seeing their enthusiasm and being able to provide sports equipment to schools was incredibly rewarding. The housing arrangements were good, and I appreciated the balance of staying with mister Faustin while still having my own privacy. It made me feel welcome and comfortable throughout my stay. One aspect that could be improved is the pace of the work. At times, I felt that things moved a bit slowly, and having more structured activities could enhance the impact of the program. However, I also understand that this might be part of the local culture and way of working. Overall, I am grateful for this experience and would love to stay involved in any way I can. Thank you again for all the support! Best regards, Sol van Berg

In November 2023 I spent about a month in Tanzania as a volunteer for the Rafikisana Foundation. I got a nice room with a shower at the volunteers house, where also good, typical meals were provided for those staying over. Together with his wife, the headmaster of the school I was assigned to, took good care of me. They took me from and to the airport, regularly invited me to a restaurant or bar and, most importantly, agreed with me on what I should do at the school site. I opted for the set-up of a reading class, a dedicated room for the kids to have a separate session, at their specific level, to improve their English reading and writing skills. The kids really liked it, being away from their classroom and getting the full attention of a teacher! :-) On the weekends I also got the occasion to visit the country as a tourist: we walked to the Kilimanjaro waterfalls, visited a Masaai village, went on safari and even flew to Zanzibar! I can strongly recommend this to other possible volunteers: it's a perfect combination of adventure and giving back to society!

Go Volunteer Africa team led by Anna did such a great job, communicating with us via email and gave us the encouragement we needed to take this step with our family. Thanks so much. It was great to have Emily at the airport to meet us. The school and Head teacher Moureen - all were excellent. Thank you for being so flexible with us and providing such a fantastic experience for our family. We will remember it for the rest of lives! Gorretti does a good job cooking for us and taking great care of the house. We felt very fortunate to be well taken care of. We look forward to keeping in touch with them and the projects they are helping. We are now in Uganda, working on a construction project and we shall also share our volunteering experience. Our children are involved in tree planting project, very amazing experience so far and they love it, and every day is great.

I decided to volunteer abroad as every now and then I like to do something that puts me out of my comfort zone, so I chose Uganda as I wanted to go somewhere that I had never been before and somewhere I didn't actually know much about, so I would be in a situation that was unfamiliar to me. I decided to come here after leaving college as I believed the experience would help my confidence and independence for going to university – I figured that if I could go to a foreign country by myself and live with a family I had never met before, then moving out and studying for a degree shouldn't be a problem! I decided to come with Go Volunteer Africa because of the support that was given. Even before I had made my mind up at to exactly where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do, they were on hand to answer any questions that I could think of. I have been part of the 4 week special placement, which I have really enjoyed. My host family has some of the nicest people I have ever met. They have made me feel so welcome and comfortable and the food! The first week I was here felt like a crash course in getting to know Kampala and its history, as it included visits to places such as the Mabira rainforest and source of the longest river in the world- the Nile. I got to visit and work at the children’s center which many of the children attended. Those children displayed a tremendous amount of energy and love, attaching themselves to you at any opportunity! I definitely felt like a piece of my heart was left behind there. I am already planning my next trip to Kenya now with Go Volunteer Africa, but it might be more wishful thinking seeing as I am about to become a student! But my advice to those thinking of volunteering is not to think about it too much, obviously planning for your trip is important but try not to get too caught up in what might or might not happen when you're here – just go for it, you won't regret it.

Before leaving for Uganda, I was told by many friends and family that I was about to have the 'experience of a lifetime'. Truth be told, I thought this was an extremely cheesy expression and I didn't seem to share their enthusiasm because at that point I was beginning to question why I was about to put myself through this - at only 18 years old, I was VERY nervous to travel to another continent alone and speak in a different language. My nerves were instantly put to rest upon arriving in Uganda. The Local Coordinators were there to pick me up and I was instantly greeted with the Ugandan atmosphere - welcoming and so much fun! I can say in all honesty that during this first trip with Go Volunteer Africa, I did not feel homesick for one moment of the two months that I spent. In fact, I was devastated to leave. When I first met my host family I was keen to see where I would be staying and who with as I had no idea what to expect. I couldn't have imagined a better family and other volunteers to have stayed with during my trip. I found all the local people that I met to be so light hearted friendly and generous, and my host family were no different. I also had two other volunteers staying at the house with me, with whom I became and remain close friends! I arrived at the house at dinner time, when I was introduced to both my house mates and the local food. Having never eaten a real “organic” meal in my life, it was difficult at first to get used to, but within a very short space of time I was an expert and loved the healthy dishes!! My daily routine began soon after arrival which for me consisted of a morning at a local hospital and an afternoon spent at a children’s centre. This, I was able to combine two of the projects available and therefore share my time. I loved this as it was two completely different experiences and let me meet so many people. At 18, I was hoping to go on to study medicine, so the time spent in the hospital was a valuable learning experience and something that was fantastic for my future CV. I was able to help in some tasks and saw many procedures carried out. The staff in the hospital were really friendly and so keen for me to try what I could. I also visited many different schools with the medical coordinator to tell the children about the importance of brushing their teeth etc. and to help if we could with any ailments they had. This was a great experience as the coordinator was keen for me to learn and even provided me with details of some of the common diseases seen there. Overall, I think it's obvious that I was incredibly impressed with Go Volunteer Africa and I have since recommended them too many friends. I had a fantastic time in Uganda and in terms of my placements, my host family and the social aspect, they couldn't have been better.

After my volunteer placement in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where I was doing the teaching volunteer project, my next destination was Mombasa, Kenya. I knew nothing about Kenya, so this country was a mystery to me. When I arrived, I was amazed. Kenya is beautiful. The view I got in the plane was mind-blowing and was getting me hyped up for my time there. In Kenya, I was doing the women empowerment project. So basically, I was working with women on their income generating projects! I worked with a Canadian volunteer called Alyssa. The work was very challenging but also very rewarding and really tested my capabilities. Like Tanzania, Kenya was wonderful. Not only the people there, but the culture and the country itself were just beautiful. I managed to make more friends in Kenya just like Tanzania, and my host family was the nicest people. They treated me like their own and this not only helped me with my Swahiri but I got to know their way of life. The Go Volunteer Africa local staff was so helpful throughout our stay. After everything, Tanzania & Kenya were unbelievable beautiful and I was very sad to leave. Tearful goodbyes and long hugs from the family, and before I knew it I was flying to my next and final, destination. Now, I was supposed to be there on the 22nd December 2024. However I misplaced my passport which delayed my travels to Uganda. So I left for Uganda on the 2nd January 2025, just after New Year. My final destination is Mukono, Uganda. Where I am spending my final 4 weeks, with another host family and I taking part in coaching various sports to local children. Sports is something I love doing in my free time so this work is extremely fun! I am teaching young kids how to swim, and because swimming is my favourite sport, I have no problem in the pool! Mukono itself is a very small but beautiful city with green villages. From visiting the source of River Nile, and taking part in zip-lining it was a fantastic time! I attempted a bungee jump but the nerves got the better of me! The weather itself here is a bonus. Go Volunteer Africa is a fantastic organization. On my parents behalf I can say they are extremely helpful and supportive. Doing a Gap Year has not only made me grow up, but has changed my views on life and made me think about my future.

At my volunteer internship in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania my life was changed. I had one of the most eye opening experiences possible. Day-to-Day I worked under the doctors and nurses at the local government hospital. I was able to assist and learn from the staff and over time felt completely at home there. My host family went above and beyond to make me feel welcomed and safe. Through them, I was able to experience the true culture of Tanzania. The staff of Go Volunteer Africa were always there to make you feel safe and have fun with. They planned outings for all of the volunteers and were a good ear to listen to our worries and expectations. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in volunteering or learning about medical procedures in Africa.

I loved my volunteering experience with go volunteer Africa, I only wish I had volunteered for longer than just 3 weeks! It's left me wanting more and I’m already hoping to return. I stayed in Arusha, with 2 other volunteers (younger than me) and this children support care project made me realize how blessed I was and how great it was to make an impact in the lives of other children, after raising my 2 children. I came home knowing that I truly made a difference in the lives of the children I was involved with. The group leaders did a great job of keeping us informed of what was going on and I didn't feel out of the loop as some people might feel when starting on a new project. I was very involved with everything and my group leaders were there every step of the way to help the volunteers out. If you are looking for a volunteer experience that is legitimate, sustainable and enjoyable all whilst making a truly valuable impact then look no further, than this organization. I spent half my time supporting teaching at a children’s centre in a local Arusha township and the other half - a truly incredible project that supports grandmothers to provide after-school care, fun and food to children. I learnt more than I could have imagined, not just about the culture and lifestyles of the communities, but also about the nature of volunteering abroad itself. It's about offering support whilst remaining completely sustainable, less about the hand outs and more about enabling and empowering others. This means that your impact is truly lasting and unforgettable. At the children’s centre you will meet some very special children who will fall in love with you as soon as you walk in through the front door! Their squeals of joy and the songs they will teach you will buzz around your head forever. I spent most mornings reading stories, teaching English and supporting their play. I do have a lot to share and I don’t think this space will be enough, all I can say, I recommend this wonderful organization for connecting me to the perfect volunteering experience. Although I am 54 and most of the other volunteers were young people, I enjoyed my time with everyone.

Traveling to Stone, Zanzibar was a life-changing experience. Go Volunteer Africa gave me the opportunity to take a career break. I worked on a vulnerable children caring project in Zanzibar to help an Educate centre (an early childhood school) with its daily activities. I got to do what I love and the experience was amazing. The opportunity was simply what I was looking for! Not only did my work help young children in need but I forged lasting relationships with the school staff, Go Volunteer Africa staff, other volunteers, and my host family. I definitely recommend this project.

I really did have such an amazing trip in Tanzania with Go Volunteer Africa and would absolutely recommend it to anyone. I chose them primarily as they were the cheapest organisation I found, but honestly they cut no corners. Go Volunteer Africa were very helpful with my questions beforehand and managed to get me sorted even though I only enquired 3 weeks before my departure date! Everything needed was given to me in writing which was a comfort and was very accurate information. The pre-departure support from Paul and his local team was so useful. Arrival was very easy on my part and the volunteer house in Dar-es-Salaam is perfect! I settled in so quickly as all the in-country Go Volunteer Africa staff were so lovely and helpful as well as the other volunteers being amazing. I spent 4 weeks in Tanzania and I wish I had gone earlier and stayed longer as the experience just gets more enjoyable as you get to know the other volunteers and the staff. The accommodation is relatively basic - there was no Wi-Fi while I was there (not always the case) and the showers aren't consistently warm - but it was extremely social, comfortable and I wouldn't change anything major. The staff in-country are fantastic and there is always someone available to chat to and ask any questions or reports any concerns. I did a Childcare and Urban Farming placements and a member of local staff escorted us on the first day to show us the journey and introduce us to projects staff. I made some great friends in the time I was there, as we spent loads of time together in the house and on the weekend trips. All I can say is the more you put in, the more you get out of your experience. I would definitely recommend this experience if you're willing to be spontaneous and settle into the 'pole pole' lifestyle in Tanzania :) I also think that going in June/July time is perfect as there are always other volunteers around and the weather isn't too hot. It's difficult to describe how it's so enjoyable but it is definitely worth doing through Go Volunteer Africa. Go Volunteer Africa will totally look after you, so go with a totally open mind and you'll have a trip you will not forget.

I've been checking out Go Volunteer Africa for a few years now before I finally decided to take the leap. Simply reflecting back on my time volunteering here in Uganda makes me tear up. I had the most amazing life changing experience I could have ever asked for. I had a genuinely meaningful, fulfilling, and enjoyable time on my first trip. The youth support project is based here in Mukono, east of Kampala the capital and largest city in this nation. I connected well with both fellow international travellers, but the rich local community, too. This was the deepest, most profound educational experience is the hands-on volunteering. The placement was ideal for me, as it allowed me to deploy my love for / experience with young children and enabled me to help the promotion of education for young women from disadvantaged communities. Overall, I developed a deep connection with the country and community, while also diversifying my interactions and experiences with a unique, cosmopolitan group of travellers staying in the hostel. It beyond exceeded my expectations. The support of the Kenyan and Ugandan team had me at ease, the local team is very amazing, and the accommodation and food is incredible. Mukono is an incredible place – the nightlife is wonderful – I will miss it a lot. I can't say enough good things about Go Volunteer Africa and the experience I had volunteering. I can't wait for my next adventure!

I volunteered with Go Volunteer Africa in Uganda for two months and had the most amazing experience of my life (so far). I decided to travel with GVA for personal reasons. I was born in Uganda, adopted by American family and brought up in the States. I wanted to visit my birth country but did not want to go back as just a tourist. While visiting, I wanted to experience the culture and give back if I could. Go Volunteer Africa offered everything I was looking for; cultural immersion, a chance to meet new people and friends, a great place to stay, and opportunities to volunteer. This trip was worth every penny! I met amazing people and went to incredible places. Furthermore, words cannot explain just how amazing the in-country GVA staff is! They were helpful, always a pleasure to be around and became a second family to me. I cannot thank them enough for such an incredible time. Choosing to travel with Go Volunteer Africa was and still is the best decision that I have ever made. I 100% recommend this program! I learned a lot about myself and the world outside my world. I bet you will too! I enjoyed every second of my trip and plan to volunteer with GVA again.

I have had the best four weeks of my life. The Go Volunteer Africa staff made me feel so welcome from the start. I enjoyed staying in the volunteer house in Mukono and felt like part of the team. On my project I got to meet some inspirational people, travel to the rural most community of Uganda and improve my communication skills. I would recommend Go Volunteer Africa in Uganda to all my friends and am thinking of doing another project next year. I have not got a negative thing to say about my experience and I am sad to be leaving. The project exceeded all my expectations. At the weekends we got to travel to many different places and I have made memories I will never forget. I was expecting much more basic accommodation, but it was a nice surprise. A small beautiful lovely house with showers, big comfortable beds (no bunkers). It's a fun project in a great location with lots to do outside the project activities if you want to. I had wanted to visit Uganda since my teenage years. As a keen photographer of the elephants I also wanted the opportunity to photograph them in the wild and see them roaming freely, I did that during the safari experience to Queen Elizabeth Safari Park. In the morning, I helped out the local team with their fundraising drives but by far the most enjoyable activity was afternoon visits to the local school. The kids were so gorgeous, with friendly, open and curious smiles. Everyone on the project was so accommodating and friendly and I felt very well taken care of. Mercy’s food was absolutely delicious and I don't think there was a single dish that I didn't love. Peter provided ample entertainment! Isaac and Beatrice were also kind enough to take me on an excursion to safari. All in all it was an unforgettable experience and I leave feeling that I have contributed just a little to the great work that Go Volunteer Africa does. I will definitely be back.

I have been in Madagascar for 2 months now and love it. It is truly a unique place to visit, in terms of culture and wildlife. On my first day we went on a snorkel on home reef, saw loads of anemone fish, a giant puffer and a hawksbill turtle. We then went for a walk to a local village, on the way spotting a family of black lemurs and a Chameleon. Not too bad for the first day! Since then, I have been able to explore further afield through science work and seen even more wonderful creatures. The local village that we live next to have a strong sense of community, inviting us to parties, celebrations and even a carnival! Out here you get sun, sea, sand and science! Perfect combination! Working within the marine staff here has been an absolute eye opener and one which has allowed me to experience many new things. From the moment I arrived on camp I was taken away by the beauty of our surroundings- the green forest surrounding the back of the camp and our views out over the ocean and the surrounding areas. The diving is not the most amazing in the world but there is a wide variety of extremely colorful fish, rays and occasional turtles. I have genuinely enjoyed every dive I have done here and some of the dives have amazing coral formations so I would not overlook Madagascar as a diving location. Being able to carry out science whilst on the dives is also a really enjoyable experience and has allowed me to learn more about the reef fauna and flora in the area. The marine crew are also extremely fun to work with and the mixture of people on camp means that there is plenty to learn and never a boring moment. I would recommend Madagascar with Go Volunteer Africa to anyone, but be prepared for basic living standards! This is genuinely not a problem and I believe it has added to my experience here- but maybe bring a few luxuries from home with you!! Enjoy! Thank you, Paul, Herbert and the entire Go Volunteer Africa for making this happen!

We have just come back from our amazing trip to Tanzania. Leaving on the ferry to our first stop, then a bus ride to the fantastic village of --- it was right by the beach and the kids went to get us coconuts while we watched the local rugby game at the school. We went to church, all dressed up in our kitenge on the Sunday, we all introduced ourselves and sang with the choir. After the kids took us around the beach and showed us the fish, we came back to a feast! Tanzania has been an eye-opening experience for us. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time there and made some amazing friends with the other volunteers and staff alike. The medical camp is right on the beach which means we have amazing views of the sunset. All the staff are very welcoming and the locals are friendly and always willing to teach you some swahili. Joanna & I, had one of the most enjoyable and exciting times of our lives. We have learnt a lot about the healthcare in Africa and doing rounds at the hospital which was very useful to us. Overall Tanzania is an amazing place to be a Go Volunteer Africa volunteer and we have had a brilliant time here. Traveling with Go Volunteer Africa was the best choice and its best and most affordable volunteer company

My initial impressions and thoughts of this trip have been surpassed by what I have experienced in these past six weeks. As soon as I arrived at the airport in Arusha I felt a warm welcome, with my fellow travelers, friendly staff and an impressive accommodation. I arrived in the country early so had a few days to relax before I met up with the others on the project site. We spent a couple of days with the coordinator who took us around and showed us the community and the projects supported by Go Volunteer Africa. For me the experience of being on a project in a group and with the young people was much better than what I thought it would be, the project was very well run and there were lots of activities available to do in the evening if you chose to. The most enjoyable part of the project was being with the youth soccer team preparing for the regional tournaments. The project is not only for youngsters there is no age limit and no matter what age you will love it here. I was impressed by the organization of the sports and athletics project, and straight away I was involved in coaching activities. Thanks to Paul my contact at Go Volunteer Africa, who made everything possible.

I had an amazing 3 weeks in Nairobi, Kenya. I went for a volunteering experience working in the slums of Kibera. I was placed at a community outreach center. It was enriching and the best possible way to spend a summer break. I loved the opportunity to not be a tourist, but actually, immerse myself in a culture completely unlike mine. At work, I had a lot of self-direction in what I did, but some of my larger tasks included; researching and drafting a grant proposal, writing a weekly newsletter, overseeing fundraising. I also chose to work with the kids in the Early Childhood Development Center when I had some free time. I was always learning something new at work and felt completely welcomed by the entire staff. I was touched and left in happy tears on my last day of work as the staff gathered to say goodbye and gave me a lovely handwritten letter with notes from everyone at the staff. In my free time I explored Masai Mara with other volunteers, I also visited Mombasa, the Masai markets, surfing. and seeing as many sunsets as possible. All the other volunteers were lovely, it was sad saying bye, but exciting having a network of friends all across the world.

AIRPORT COLLECTION The collection from the airport was well arranged, and very helpful in showing me where to exchange currency. The project briefing was informative and clearly explained the main objectives of the project and how activities were carried out. ACCOMMODATION Very good, any issues/problems I had with the homestay were dealt with professionally. Amir was a great help in supporting everyone with any queries. Location was great, could walk to work (if the sun wasn't trying to melt me that day) and was even walking distance to the city centre - but again I’m lazy and relied on Taxis. Our home mother at the homestay made the place very special, and the family was wonderful. Really appreciated the cold shower. Bring extra money for your own meals though, breakfast is very basic - toast. Dinner is interesting, a bit different but any future volunteers should push themself to try it all! Nothing ever tasted bad and even meat eaters were asked if they wanted seafood or not which was greatly appreciated - I feared, I would be eating fish with heads the whole time I was there but it was largely vegetarian meals. The food and living conditions were much better than I expected and overall, I had a brilliant time and thoroughly enjoyed my time on project. WORK I worked with school in Dar-es-Salaam. The school is a little all over the place, but you get used to it and settle into TZ time - aka, slow paced life. The school project for me was very rewarding I made a real connection with the kids and was really sad to leave. Ubungo is a lovely town and all the people are so welcoming I didn’t feel unsafe once throughout my whole time on project. SUPPORT 10++ for this one, Amir kept an eye on any illness or injury I had, from the tiniest little scrape to a suspected case of strep throat. My health seemed so important here and had a high priority as did my safety. OVERALL Amazing experience. So much free time and flexibility for you to go and explore the Tanzania. You learn so much about the culture here. I'd recommend it to all, just be prepared for a difference in setting as it is a low-income nation. This was my first ever time in a low-income (developing) country and it has really opened my eyes but in a positive way. The entire project for me was an experience I will never forget I loved every minute of it. I couldn’t tell you the best aspect as it was all amazing.

I volunteered for three weeks in August at a children’s centre and hospital in Masaka, Uganda with go volunteer Africa. I had an incredible experience! During the planning stages I was a bit apprehensive but my contact Paul was very professional. We lived in a small accommodation (but very comfortable beds) with other amazing volunteers from all over the world (we were 6 solo travelers). We lived as a family and we had two incredible local people living with us, who took care, shared moments and cooked for all of us. The local meals were delicious and their generosity and support made us feel right at home. I worked in a hospital every morning. I took an easy ride with a funny bus to the hospital. I could go to operating room and help also in some operations. I spent some time in the emergency department. It was a good learning experience. I could share knowledge with local doctors, learn from them and try to do my best in order to help the patients. Afternoons I often went to the children’s centre and play with the children and also take care of them. Then evenings and weekends we spent most of our time with the other volunteers. Going to karaoke and having a beer and chatting with locals was one of our main hobbies. My first day at the children’s centre was kind of overwhelming but at the same time it's was an incredible experience. It is a life experience that I strongly suggest to anyone that want to spend some time abroad and want to have an amazing experience!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the childcare and welfare project in Nakuru, Kenya. Everyone, volunteers and locals alike, were highly friendly and many locals would attempt to stop on the street to chat with you. The accommodation was basic but suitable. Everyone had their own bed and the food each night was delicious! The tap water was not suitable to drink, which meant that you spend some money on bottled water. The project itself was enlightening, and very worthwhile. Sometimes the work could be hard with the little children, as you would see issues that would be very unlikely to arise in the Germany, but the people /staff made everything worthwhile. The weekends were packed full of tourist-safari trips, and it was very interesting to see the difference between "Locals-Kenya" and "Tourist-Kenya". The project was an amazing and rewarding time of my life, and I made friends with people whom I hope I stay in touch with. The project felt well organized but also was relaxed and enjoyable. Overall, I enjoyed my project and would volunteer with Go Volunteer Africa again in a heartbeat. The staff at GVA, especially Paul was very helpful in making the arrangements.

My family and I want to thank you all at Go Volunteer Africa for the most wonderful experience in Kenya. We will recommend your organization to anyone interested in volunteering and will also consider working with you in the future. You did an excellent job in every aspect and my children loved every bit of the experience. We had some concerns and reservations because of the little children and weren’t sure if they would fit in and love the experience. We really enjoyed working alongside other volunteer families we met. My family will cherish all memories of the people we met and the experiences we had. It was one of the best decisions I ever made for my family. Kenya was amazing, the culture, landscapes, and great hikes all in one trip, and, on top of that, we made several wonderful friends! The local team is doing some amazing work in Nairobi. Thank you so much Paul, for organizing this family trip. You were very responsive to our many questions and gave us useful information.

We had an amazing family experience as volunteers with Go Volunteer Africa in Kenya. We loved the whole experience and we miss the time with the local kids. My wife and I decided to travel with Go Volunteer Africa after reading so many positive reviews from past volunteers. Of course we had a few reservations since this was our first time to travel abroad with our little children 5 & 9. We wanted to visit and explore Kenya but did not want to go as just tourists. While visiting, we wanted to experience the culture and give back if we could. Go Volunteer Africa’s Paul organized everything we were looking for as a family. Cultural immersion, a chance to meet new people and make friends, a great place to stay, and affordable safari deals. This trip was worth every penny! Herbert (the head of in-country staff) is such a wonderful guy and we promised him to leave a positive review because of the fabulous work he does. He was helpful, always a pleasure to be around and he has an amazing touch towards children. Maddie and I cannot thank you enough for such an incredible time. Choosing to travel with you was and still is the best decision that we made last summer and we shall do it again next summer. We highly recommend this organization for family volunteer experiences due to our personal positive experiences with them! They are local, so they know where they need the help. Our kids learned a lot about themselves and the world outside.

Kenya in general is an amazing country and my experience at orphanage and with Go Volunteer Africa was incredible. Paul my program agent is very professional and organized the trip just right from the moment I signed up. I spent six weeks in Kenya working at the orphanage centre and enjoyed every moment of it!! I also accompanied a volunteer heading to Eldoret program site and I spent 5 days there. The activities were hands on, the wildlife during our safari was mind-boggling, the scenery was awe-inspiring and the staff were utterly fantastic. The whole experience was brilliant for me. Simply living with the basics, cooking lunch and dinner for the children, organizing sports activities and enjoying a truly communal atmosphere was totally unique and wonderful. I learnt so much from the endless knowledge of the staff members, and learnt even more about myself from simply going out there on my own and seeing how I coped. My favorite bit of my stay was vegetable gardens I set up with the children and my family also funded the knitting class. I highly recommend the program in Kenya, the local team is just awesome. Thank you Go Volunteer Africa for giving me an opportunity to make a difference!

I was nervous before I came to Kenya. I am now excited to say that I experienced something life-changing in Kenya. I joined Go Volunteer Africa’s Mombasa Program and I loved every bit of my trip. Working in the kindergarten and hospital allowed me glimpses into the education and medical systems and gave me an opportunity to learn. I learned that sometimes to be most helpful, I had to be brave and ask where I’d be most useful. Sometimes doing the little things meant the most to those around me - like calming a crying child to allow the nurses to be able to finish pressing work, or having the patience with a child to sit and help them finish their food for the first time. I was in the public hospital emergency room, where I was also able to see a C-section as well as a live birth. This experience was crucial to my decision to continue studying medicine. I am 20 years old and have just started the pre-med track. In Kenya, I found incredible kindness everywhere I went. An incredible experience, and one that I will never forget. Thank you Paul and Herbert at Go Volunteer Africa for organizing my trip to Kenya.

Ever since I was really little, it has always been my dream to travel to Kenya because of its wildlife, and with Go Volunteer Africa I was given the perfect opportunity. In July 2022, I spent three weeks at the conservation program in Mombasa in Kenya. I had the most incredible time of my life. The volunteer placement is located in a beautiful, very safe area of the island and was walking distance from beaches which all us volunteers loved. Mombasa itself it is a lovely place. The locals are extremely friendly and after a day you feel like you've known the coordinators and other volunteers for your whole life. Participating in the wildlife conservation was a unique experience, especially releasing them back into the wild on my last day there. My only regret is that I didn't stay longer. Paul my Program Supervisor at GVA did an amazing job organizing the trip and getting me in contact with the local team before I left. They answered all questions quickly and provided modules to prepare for the trip and make it easier. I was nervous since it was my first trip alone, but I loved it and plan to return next summer. The accommodation is lovely and so is the food. The beach is just a five-minute walk away, and there's a medical centre right next to the accommodation in case of an emergency. Overall, GVA is an incredible and affordable option for people like me who love adventure and traveling with a purpose. Its indeed the best volunteer program in Kenya and Africa. Everything was well-organized and I felt supported throughout. I felt that it was all worth the money and was by far the cheapest volunteer program out there! I would strongly advise anybody to travel with Go Volunteer Africa, especially on the Kenya wildlife project, its awesome!

I volunteered in Rwanda for 2 weeks with Go Volunteer Africa. Paul was our coordinator and he did a fabulous job with everything planning. He was very supportive and always available for help. Before I made my decision to volunteer I managed to talk with some of the past volunteers through a connection. I received varieties of feedbacks some were very positive and some were partially positive. But one thing I learned from all participants is that the projects associated with GVA are positive life changing and the hosts are very nice and honest. They will go out of their way to help you and make your stay smooth. I really enjoyed my hospital experience because I got to rotate through all the different departments in the hospital on different days including surgery, pharmacy, pediatric care, primary care etc. It was great to have this hands on experience. Since I had already traveled to Uganda and Kenya for safari, I spent the weekend volunteering with children. It was a lot of fun playing with the kids. Our host family was great. I shared a room in the same host family with another volunteer. It was also pretty easy to navigate the bus system between the family, the school and the hospital.

I have been in Rwanda for one month working within the women's support staff here and it has been an absolute eye-opener and one which has allowed me to experience many new things. From the moment I arrived at the camp, I was taken away by the beauty of our surroundings - the green forest surrounding the back of the camp and our views out over the green tea farms and the surrounding areas. Stunning. Living within a local community has also been a real eye-opener, seeing their way of life and how they have adapted to live in this small paradise has been amazing, especially the way that they have allowed us to fit into their village and are willing to help us with anything we may need. I have genuinely enjoyed every aspect of the program I have done here and I am so grateful to Go Volunteer Africa for making this arrangement. The local crew are also extremely fun to work with and the mixture of people on camp means that there is plenty to learn and never a boring moment. I would recommend Rwanda's women empowerment program to anyone, but be prepared for basic living standards! This is genuinely not a problem and I believe it has added to my experience here but maybe bring a few luxuries from home with you!! Enjoy!

Go Volunteer Africa is a legit volunteer travel company. I’ve just got back from a project in Uganda- can’t believe how quickly it went, the whole experience was amazing and I’m gutted to be home already. I’m already missing the crew out there loads, everyone got on so well and I’ll definitely be meeting up with some of them for a night out soon. The place itself is like something out of a film- unbelievably beautiful and the weather is bloody amazing- which meant the night parties were very cool! Even working at the school which I thought would be boring was an unexpectedly mind-blowing experience- the culture is so different from what any of us were used to but the people were legendary- really friendly and so appreciative of our work. Would definitely recommend Go Volunteer Africa and no problems in terms of organization.

My husband and I decided to do a humanitarian trip in Kenya, so we submitted an application to Go Volunteer Africa. We were then contacted by Paul, who told us that we would need to submit a payment of $360 as a placement booking fee to reserve our spot, and then we would be able to pay the remaining $920 in cash upon arrival to our project. We paid the booking fee and withdrew $920 in cash to pay the rest when we arrived, and Paul sent us our information packet which had all the information we would need for our trip, along with the contact information for the program director in Nairobi, Josephat. Then we booked our flight, got our vaccinations and had everything ready to go. A few weeks before our departure, Paul changed his mind and said we would have to send him the program fee electronically before we left. We explained to him that this would not be possible because we had already withdrawn the cash to pay on arrival. We even offered to pay half electronically and the other half on arrival. Apparently Paul didn't like this idea so he completely ignored us. Three weeks before our departure, we still had not received responses to any of our messages to Paul, so we looked through the packet he had sent us and found the program director's contact info, so we reached out to him and explained the situation. He said it would be fine if we just paid in person on arrival. Three weeks later we left on our trip. (We still had not received any message whatsoever from Paul). We turned out to have a very poor experience with the organization of GVA, so once we concluded our trip, my husband left a completely honest and truthful review to warn other travelers about the program. Immediately we received several threatening emails from Paul, calling us liars and stating that he would use our personal information from our application against us. He said that he had our home address and emergency contacts' information and planned to use them to retaliate. If the President or Person in charge of Go Volunteer Africa is reading this, please reach out to either me or my husband so we can send you copies of our correspondence with Paul. I am positive he is not the kind of person you want representing your organization. As for everyone else who is thinking about a humanitarian trip to Africa, do it! Just stay as far away from GVA as you can. Dealing with them is about as stressful as it gets.

My wife and I loved Kenya and loved working with the kids. We would 100% recommend that anyone and everyone come and volunteer. However, you should definitely either come on your own or find a program other than “Go Volunteer Africa”. Our experience with them was absolutely awful. I think it is safe to say that we were the first ones that ever volunteered with them here in Githurai. There is no such thing as a volunteer house here. I won’t complain about the living accommodations because everything can be expected. We got used to no running water, no internet, cold baths with a bucket and everything being generally filthy, but what I found unacceptable was being completely ignored by the staff from the moment we paid the program cost and the complete laziness of the planning altogether. Josephat was the program director and the only person we had “contact” with while in Kenya. We saw him about three times during the entire three-week program. On the fourth day, he walked with us to a random school and just asked them if we could teach there. It was clear that the director of the school had never seen him before and that he had not prepared any activities for us to do at all. Our entire last week was spent in our dirty apartment bored out of our minds because the school was on break and Josephat had nothing for us to do. We had no idea the school was even going to be on break. Based on this description, you might think we told them we were coming the night before we arrived but rest assured we told them we were coming months in advance. On top of all the abismal planning, Josephat was completely unresponsive. I have never been flat out ignored so much in my life. Just getting fresh water to drink is like pulling teeth with Josephat once he has already been paid. He didn’t answer a single one of my calls the entire time we were there (I called him probably 6 or 7 times for urgent matters) and 75% of my messages went completely unanswered while the other 25% took days to receive a response. On a few occasions we even caught him hiding from us or pretending to be sick to avoid us since we were staying in the same building where he lived. Honestly he turned what could have been a phenomenal experience into a very stressful one. I should reiterate that I would still recommend coming to Kenya to do Volunteer work as it is very rewarding, but if Josephat is still the director of the program here, do yourself a favor and find a different program.

My name is Samantha, I have traveled to Maun in Botswana from Ontario, Canada. I took part in the wildlife conservation work for 4 weeks with Go Volunteer Africa between August and September 2019. Being a part of this program was an incredible experience! In Maun I lived in a wild camp and I participated in various activities. I met the most amazing people throughout my 4 weeks and would do the whole thing over and over again. Go Volunteer Africa were so speedy with responding to any concerns of mine and they sent me emails while I was in Botswana. The program was relatively cheap compared to other providers running the same program. Excellent and prompt support system in place. Both before and during volunteer stint. Queries usually answered within a day (even Sundays). The conservation team were very friendly and flexible with program. I highly recommend this program. Every day was an adventure to explore, my mind is full of lovely memories and I will keep them forever.

I wanted to have an international experience and combine it with an internship in Public Health. I ended up going with GVA to Uganda, Ashley at GVA arranged for me to intern with a hospital in Mukono, a lively town east of Kampala. I had an amazing experience; they found the perfect hospital for me to work at. GVA team treated me well from the first time I ever sent them an email regarding placement positions in Africa. I had mentioned to them that I would love to work with a pediatrician and that I also liked more surgical procedures, so they placed me in a hospital where I could shadow a pediatrician in the afternoons as well as work in the ER in the mornings. I lived with other volunteers and interns at a group house, and that was amazing. We hung out at night and on weekends. Some of them traveled together, but I went on my own with local GVA guide to see gorillas on a safari at Bwindi national park. I was able to connect with the staff in the hospital and at the group house. The GVA coordinators in Uganda were also extremely helpful to me. Lawrence (my safari guide) would always call to check on me and would even call to simply invite me to get some coffee in the best parts of town so I could get to know the city a little better. I truly felt they had a passion in getting people to volunteer and explore their country. I highly recommend Go Volunteer Africa to anyone with a dream to volunteer in Africa.

My experience with Go Volunteer Africa in Uganda was very positive; the staff was a pleasure to deal with and was happy to answer any questions I had either on the phone or via e-mail. Everything was done in an efficient manner, for example, we wanted to spend four weeks at the Rwamwanja refugee settlement, but after two weeks of placement, we wanted to change to Biddi Bidi refugees settlement in the northern Uganda, we were offered the chance to complete our month of volunteer work in Biddi Biddi and this was organized within 24 hours. I believe the whole experience was good value for money and we were provided with a comfortable accommodation, living area, meals and a great social experience. The refugees support program was great; we would highly recommend the Biddi program though. The local staff in Uganda is lovely and a pleasure to work with. Our overall experience was great and I would recommend this program to others in the future.

I had a really positive experience with Go Volunteer Africa. The level of support and friendship I received from GVA staff members and fellow volunteers made this an incredibly rewarding and positive experience. I researched a lot of organizations before I went to Kenya, some of which were cheaper and some better organized than Go Volunteer Africa, but I really wanted an organization that was part of the community. It was such an amazing experience and I got so much more out of it than I thought, the cultural immersion, chatting with the kids, sharing meals with local families all made me feel so much more than a tourist or even a volunteer, I really felt part of the project. I was in Kenya for 4 weeks and then traveled to Tanzania for another 2 weeks. I would recommend Go Volunteer Africa to anyone but if they do not have what you are looking for just get out there and do it you will not regret it!

All we could say about Go Volunteer Africa is wow and thank you for making our Christmas holiday memorable and awesome! As a family, we were so confused in the beginning, we had lots of interests and we wanted to volunteer in Rwanda, see gorillas in Uganda, go to the coast in Kenya and spend some time in Zanzibar too. We wanted to use various companies and we didn’t want to put all our eggs in one basket. Although GVA offers products and services in all the countries, we had not used it before and since its African based, we had some doubts. We were skeptical due to the fact some offers were extremely too low-cost compared to other providers, for instance Mombasa and Zanzibar. However we gave them a benefit of doubt and decided to book the first 2 destinations with them and that is Rwanda and Uganda Safari. Once we booked their program to Kigali. We received all information within three days and they gave us access to talk to local coordinator in Kigali who was awesome and helpful. Our experience in Rwanda was excellent and rewarding, the challenge was the language barrier with locals who some still use French (the country has just transited to English), but my brother Allen who speaks French was always at hand to help out and our Coordinator. After the one week, we proceeded to Uganda, the road trip was one of the best, multiple stops as we requested, our guide James was also very professional and knowledgeable and this was life assuring. Our week in Uganda was also good and full of experiences; although Rwanda seemed more organized than Uganda but it was no doubt that we wanted to travel with them to Mombsa (Kenya) at the coast and Zanzibar (Tanzania) for our sisters’ birthday. They arranged the bus tickets for Kenya from Uganda, train trip from Nairobi city to Mombasa, arranged all our hotels, sightsee activities and we were glad to be offered a night at their guest house for free when we missed our train back to Nairobi to catch the Arusha bus. These guys are awesome- Jim and your team at Go Volunteer may God bless you. Although we had not planned to spend a full day in Arusha, “OPP” the “GVA Man of Arusha” as he prefers to call himself, who received us in Arusha advised us to spend a day in the city and also visit Moshi town, where we got the bus to Darasalm and then Zanzibar. At every stop, these guys had someone to meet us, greet us, arrange stuff and wish us a safe trip, they are well connected throughout. Zanzibar and Rwanda were a little more expensive than earlier anticipated, but everything went well. As a family, we highly recommend them and our parents are looking forward for their trip to Mauritius. On a personal note, I will be joining their program to Senegal next summer! The experience we had volunteering and traveling around East Africa with Go Volunteer Africa far exceeded our expectations. Kudos!

I spent 2 weeks volunteering in Tanzania working on the childcare project. It was an incredible experience which has given me an insight into their different culture and way of life. The pre departure information was informative and helpful. The host family was very accommodating and couldn’t have been more welcoming. The accommodation was okay you get used to the cold showers. The childcare project was very enjoyable although not what I expected. There were a lot of volunteers which meant making friends and traveling together. I went on the weekend safari trip and Go Volunteer Africa also organized a trip to Zanzibar. This was definitely amazing and we can’t thank them enough. I am looking forward to go back to Tanzania. I definitely recommend the program.

We have participated in Go Volunteer Africa’s family volunteer and explore program in Mombasa, Kenya for 15 days and we really enjoyed our time with them. Tim our Coordinator answered every question and request for changes very fast and patiently. So he planned the perfect program for us and volunteer guesthouse in Mombasa was really the perfect wish for our family. Salim, our Project Manager and Guide was very professional and really knows how to care for the family with little children. Salim is very knowledgeable and friendly. We shared many life experiences and the evening beach time was so awesome. We got involved in a coast school and we spend most of the days painting and playing sports with the school children and our kids had a great time there too. In short, we had a great trip. We would therefore heartily recommend Go Volunteer Africa.

I spent 4 weeks in Rwanda with Go Volunteer Africa and I was able to participate in different programs. Mostly teaching English to children and working with women projects. But they also have programs with sports and young men enterprises and lots of outreach activities. It was a life changing experience and we could connect with the communities and get to know the people who live there. For me, this was the number one reason why I loved this experience. The children's were kind and respectful, eager to learn. So the teaching was natural and easy. I felt home in our volunteer house living with 6 other girls and two boys. We had dinner together every day and spend weekends travelling together as well. I felt welcome by the city of Musanze and Kigali and by all the Rwandans I met. Throughout those four weeks not only did I build an individual relationship with each and every kid but I also made so many friends in the program. Jim, the Coordinator at Go Volunteer Africa’s offices who arranged my program in Rwanda was very supportive and making sure we got the best experience. The staff in Rwanda is extremely very helpful and I am looking forward to travel with you again in Malawi.

Musanze is an amazing place and my experience at the women’s center and with Go Volunteer Africa was incredible. It was very well organized right from the moment I signed up, Jim supported me throughout the entire experience, all of my questions were answered thoroughly and promptly and I had the experience of a lifetime. Although I had wanted to stay in Kigali, but Jim’s offer for Musanze turned out to be the best. I stayed with a local host family for culture experience. The host mother was outstanding and really caring. The project Manager Damien helped me and the other volunteers in every aspect of our trip. He knew a lot about the area, making it easy to get around, visit the best places and shops. During my time in Rwanda, I met a few other volunteers while I was there and we would catch up for a meal or go for swimming. GVA Rwanda is a very affordable, safe and flexible volunteering option. I would definitely recommend GVA if you are interested in a great volunteer experience in Rwanda.

I did the special needs support program in Kampala for three weeks, spent four weeks with the administration team in Mukono, East of Kampala writing grant applications and I got a stint in the charity store in Jinja for one week, in total I covered 8 weeks with this amazing organization. I have to say that it has been a truly amazing experience! Going into it I was quite nervous, as it was very hard to believe that they really offer free program as it’s advertised this and it was my first time traveling to Africa, but I have no regrets in taking the placement. I found out about Go Volunteer Africa online and it carried the programs I really liked, budget plan, and destination better than other provider I was considering at the time. I honestly appreciate the team in Uganda, very amazing people, extremely friendly and they were the best part of the program. They were available if we needed to talk to them for any reason, and they helped us in many great ways. I highly recommend this organization, I lived with volunteers who did two or three programs with them in other countries like Rwanda and Kenya, and they also had good experiences before going to Uganda.

I did a volunteer program with Go Volunteer Africa in Uganda and it was without a doubt the best experience of my life so far! I volunteered with a women’s group 5 days a week for two weeks and traveled around to see the source of the Nile and a Kampala walking city tour, which was all arranged for free by local staff. Working with women training them about saving and microcredit program was so rewarding and inspiring! The women really appreciate you and I've never felt happier than in those two weeks with those amazing women! It was incredible to feel like I was making a difference in someone's life every day. I lived with a local family and it was really humbling, they shared everything with me at no cost, Go Volunteer Africa provided transportation to and from home every day while working on the program. I am sure this is the best program for budget travelers, students and people who have no money but want to volunteer abroad. No hidden fees! It was free to participate in the Uganda program. Thank you Go Volunteer Africa for giving me the opportunity to serve with you in Uganda. I would definitely recommend Go Volunteer Africa because of the support they provided to me and other volunteers.

This was my first experience volunteering overseas and it was challenging, rewarding, frustrating, satisfying, scary and joyful all at the same time! I don't think there is any way to understand what it is like and what it does for you other than to experience it first-hand. You will learn a lot about the daily realities of life in a developing country like Rwanda, learn even more about yourself and what you are made of, and most of all understand how even the smallest gestures of good-will and service go very far to help others in need. My Favorite Experience was working with the women groups and helping them in designing business plans for their small ventures. I was surprised that resources are so incredibly scarce for local organizations; it seems to be the biggest limiting factor for getting things done and making progress. The organizations themselves struggle to stay in operation on a daily basis, and have virtually no support from within their own country. My best received lesson... Face each day with an open mind and a healthy dose of humor. There will be many times when you will ask yourself "what am I doing" or "why am I doing this" but if you put aside the critical thoughts and embrace the experience, you will be surprised how things always seem to work themselves out in the end. Thank you team Go Volunteer Africa

I recommend everybody to go and experience what Uganda offers. The people were so warm and welcoming. I was so lucky to be accommodated with Lillian the school director and her family. I was welcomed into her home as one of the family and I really felt at home during my stay. From the moment I was introduced to the staff and children, I felt at home and very welcome at the school. It was quickly agreed that I teach English and I was given the teaching aids that were necessary for classes. The other teachers were especially helpful if I had any questions. Everywhere we went kids came to hug us and adults took us in with open arms. The biggest challenge, resources are so incredibly scarce for local schools; it seems to be the biggest limiting factor for getting things done and making progress. The school themselves struggle to stay in operation on a daily basis, and have virtually no support from within their own country. Go Volunteer Africa arranged a safari for us and it was absolutely fantastic. The driver was very competent – I felt very safe in the vehicle! He was also very knowledgeable with respect to the wildlife – in terms of both identification and giving us information about specific animals. The food was also very good. GVA is a very small organization and very personal, they give all the support needed. I highly recommend them.

I went on a Go Volunteer Africa placement in Kenya, it was amazing! I was placed in an orphanage based outside the Nairobi capital, where I volunteered for 6 weeks. My Kenyan coordinators were very helpful and often went out of their way to assist me, and quickly responded to complaints. Living conditions were more comfortable than I expected. I would rate them really high. The support I received and the experiences I had while in Kenya were so great and will stay with me forever! It’s hard to describe accurately in words my time in Nairobi it was an awesome experience. Thanks Go Volunteer Africa team.

My volunteer experience in Kenya was an incredible experience.. Thanks to Go Volunteer Africa, I was able to meet some of the most interesting and influencing people in my life. I've always believed that travel stimulates growth, and Go Volunteer Africa gave me the greatest opportunity. My in country contacts were caring and head office in Uganda was supportive and responsive. I would definitely recommend this experience to those who are missing out.

I had an incredibly life changing and eye opening experience with Go Volunteer Africa in Kenya. I didn't know what I would find there or what the experience would even feel like. There was no way for me to prepare for such an exploration, no past event I could reflect on. All I knew was that I had to go because there is more than just the world that I am living in, and that was what I was dying to see. I have done some previous travel to different countries, but never for longer than two weeks so a month seemed scary at first. The Ugandan based office staff was extremely helpful and made me feel comfortable and supported throughout the process. The in-country support was also great. I loved cooking with my host family, learning recipes and songs in Swahili and really getting a honest look at life in Kenya. I also liked that we had time on weekends to hangout and really explore the area. I felt safe the entire time. I really enjoyed working with the kids and liked that Go Volunteer Africa is African based and had long standing relationships in country so the programs were sustainable. Overall very rewarding and I’ll take this time abroad with me in life forever.