Community-Based Volunteer Experience in Uganda

My trip to Uganda with Ssamba Foundation was incredible. I went for six weeks, and enjoyed every moment of it!! The activities were explorative, the wildlife was mind-boggling, the scenery was awe-inspiring and the staff were utterly fantastic. This is not my first time volunteering but it is my first time volunteering anywhere abroad. At first, I didn’t know what to expect so I was a little apprehensive but pleasantly surprised when I got there. As an Aussie I can confirm this is the best free volunteer program in Uganda and in the world. The teaching out there is challenging and rewarding, especially when you get to talk to the locals and begin to understand how much difference you can make to improve lives. I can honestly say that “I really did not want to leave!”. I hope that, when you consider doing this project, you understand that yes it is an adventure and yes it is a once in a life time experience; but also you get as much as you put in. The whole experience was brilliant for me. Simply living in the rural jungle and going back to basics, cooking lunch and dinner for each other every day and enjoying a truly communal atmosphere was totally unique and wonderful. I learnt so much from the endless knowledge of the staff members, more especially Hon. Isaac Ssamba, the Founder and George my daily contact, and learnt even more about myself from simply going out there on my own and seeing how I coped. I took some excellent photos, I grew as a person and I made some now beloved friends in the process. I would highly recommend this project for anybody who is outgoing, adventurous and enjoys having simply an amazing time.

This volunteer trip to Uganda was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I stayed a total of three weeks in Mukono doing the childcare support work and it is the best travel experience of my life so far. I spent most of my days working on creative projects with “my” kids. The caretakers and volunteers at the children’s centre made me feel so welcome. The centre needs more volunteers, please join them. From the moment I stepped into Uganda, I felt like meeting long lost friends. I stepped out of the airport to a warm welcome from Sandie (my sweet little Ugandan sister). Mr. Ssamba’s family made me feel so comfortable living with them. The support stayed top notch as the everyday love from home to work was extraordinary. The living accommodation was comfortable and local dishes – wow! This program made me grow as a person and opened my eyes to the world. The weekends were always filled with trips and safaris, I got the chance to explore the Murchison Falls safari park too, Mr. Ssamba organized everything for us. I highly recommended Ssamba Foundation without a doubt!

My name is Julie; I am an American university student who volunteered with Ssamba Foundation this past summer. Isaac asked me to leave a review by sharing my experience with his organization, I am glad to do so. Like other participants who shared their experiences here, volunteering in Uganda was an amazing life changing experience, and I would 100% do it again given the opportunity. I was nervous going to a place so different from anywhere I had ever been before, without my family or anyone I knew, for four weeks, but the support from Isaac made it seem possible. From the get-go, he answered all my questions by e-mail and WhatsApp. He sent me all the information I needed to know, so that I felt prepared for my trip to Uganda. While in Uganda, I stayed with his family at Kalaji, a small town north of Mukono. Isaac also arranged the safari trips for the volunteer team to Queen Elizabeth and Murchison falls national parks, we also visited Jinja to see the source of river Nile. I worked with a microcredit program with local women groups in the surrounding villages of Kalaji, helping them design business plans. I was able to meet and work with the local people, as well as with other volunteers from all over the world. I would recommend Ssamba Foundation for anyone looking to volunteer abroad for the first time! The best moment of the experience- its free, I paid 200$ donation to confirm my stay and that was all (we paid for safaris separately). I covered my flights, visas, insurance and all logistics of the trip. Thank you Isaac and your team for the giving me the opportunity to serve and explore Uganda.

I joined the Ssamba Foundation program in Uganda for four weeks and found it to be the experience of a lifetime! Isaac the Founding Director was our coordinator and he did a fabulous job with everything from arrival to hosting at his home. He was very supportive and always available for help. I really enjoyed my hospital experience because I got to rotate through all the different departments in the hospital in Mukono on different days including surgery, pharmacy, pediatric care, primary care etc. My friend and I shared a room at Ssamba’s home. Sandy the “house manager” was fantastic! She made the most amazing meals, served us tea, took care of us and was there for us all day every day and night with a smile on her face. No task ever a problem! In a nutshell, volunteer program was fantastic! Very well organized and no hidden fees. My friend and I paid USD$200 each (for our 4 weeks’ stay). Overall this is one of the best organizations available and offers amazing value for money and donations! Highly recommended! Contact Isaac directly, he will work out the best placement for you.

Having spent the last couple of months on this project in Uganda, I can honestly say it has been one of the best and most rewarding experiences of my life. The location of the projects is fantastic, a remote Ugandan village covered in gardens and farmlands, the chance to mix with the locals and get a real feel for Ugandan culture. The home life is basic but is a welcome relief and is what traveling and project work like this is all about. Getting to eat local food direct from the land was fantastic and being able to cook as a family was great and a real bonding activity. The people you live with become your best friends and family and you get to experience so much together. I had an amazing time and really enjoyed this project, it was a culture shock when we first arrived however Isaac briefed us on what to do and where to go. I recommend future volunteers make sure that they carry more than enough insects’ repellant I can't recommend this project enough and look forward to coming back again soon! If you want to experience real Ugandan culture, make friends for life and contribute to a project that is really helping change people’s life and the environment then you should choose Ssamba Foundation, Isaac is doing some amazing work in his community!

The connections I made with other volunteers and the community members will never be forgotten. Mr. Ssamba (the founder) is incredibly kind and caring and made me feel so welcome and safe. I did the community outreach program with other local and western volunteers and this was awesome because the children and the women were so sweet and welcoming. This experience truly made me a better person, taught me new things and has allowed me to see the world differently. I was able to discover a completely new culture and community. Isaac offered us unbelievable support during our stay. Every concern or query we raised was dealt with immediately and he and his family went out of their way to make sure all our needs were met and we were comfortable and happy on all levels - offering physical and emotional support whenever needed. Sandy was fantastic! She made the most amazing meals, served us tea, took care of us when we were ill and was there for us all day every day and night with a smile on her face. Isaac also organized our Murchison Falls Safari which was fantastic, memorable and affordable! Very well organized, and wonderful sightseeing. Overall this is one of this is a great organization making real positive impact. Highly recommended to anyone interested in visiting Uganda!!

Volunteering with Beacon of Hope Uganda was an incredible experience. I met amazing people and learned so much about Ugandan culture by living with Isaac the CEO of the organization and his family. It was an excellent way to visit the country and become immersed in the culture while still being a tourist. My co-workers were fantastic and very helpful and friendly. Beacon of Hope arranged a 3 days safari to Murchison Falls for us and that was awesome, memorable and super affordable. I will recommend this project.

The past four weeks have been so jammed full of new experiences, relationships, exploration, busyness and just general good times that I’ve found it really hard to get the right words for this experience. I volunteered with Beacon of Hope Uganda and I think, not only from my experience but from word of mouth that it’s the best local NGO in Uganda. Beacon of Hope Uganda was started up by Isaac Ssamba in 2006 when he was just 19!! Isaac and his team have built, Beacon of Hope Uganda into a truly welcoming and rewarding volunteer program with a number of grassroots development projects (schools, health clinic and women projects). Speaking to Isaac about his work and passions was one of my favorite things, the way he spoke so enthusiastically and passionately was very inspiring. Thanks Beacon of Hope Uganda for this wondering experience and making me fall in love with Uganda, your home.

It was really great life changing experience in particular with the children. The kids are incredibly friendly and excited to have mzungu teachers there. I wish that I was able to stay longer than two months and hope to contribute my time in future. Beacon of Hope Uganda staff is very supportive from application process and during the time in the field. Sandra was very attentive, helpful and very knowledgeable. The food was delicious and accommodation was truly nice, clean and very organized. I enjoyed the teaching program immensely; the staff both at the school and the administration office was extremely helpful. The community and the children in Uganda are super friendly and welcoming. I am very impressed with service of Beacon of Hope Uganda. I would recommend this program to everyone who is interested in volunteering in Uganda.