Sustainable Meaningful Volunteer Work in Uganda

The Ssamba foundation is a cover up for a scam organization led by Issac Ssamba and his wife Sandra Nakagiri. There is currently an ongoing police investigation from the Mukono police department. DO NOT BOOK ANYTHING WITH THEM! I have just finished a 6 weeks experience, staying at their place and I discovered the scam, alongside other volunteers, around week 3. Many reviews on this page are positive simply because those volunteers did not found out about the scam as it is quite elaborate. I am sure that if some of them will look at this review now they will understand what is happened to them as well. We immediatly started the process with the police department and the scam unfolded before our eyes, showing for what is truly is. The couple is taking advantage of voluneteers by: 1) both overselling Safari packages increasing the price by hundreads of euros, sometimes cancelling the safari and never returned the money 2) by offering themsleves as intermediary for donations to schools and kids (done by donors or us volunteers) and then counterfeitting invoices infleating the costs and keeping the money. It is really the most horrendous way of scamming people, on the skin of kids in needs. This is how it works: while they claim that donations will help people in need, they instead create fake invoices increasing the school fees that the volunteers offer to sustain a kids, pay Issac Ssamba and his wife Sandra Nakagiri the price of the invoice, but instead they take the money and pay the school a fraction of what is needed. During the investigations it came out these scheme has been used for years and only now has been brought to light. The schools effected were in total disbilieve and are also right now taking part in the investigation. I can provide police report to anyone is interested. Issac Ssamba and his wife Sandra Nakagiri works as a proper criminal enterprise with a system that has been running for years and only now has been found out. DO NOT BOOK ANYTHING WITH THEM, the good that you hope you will do will be completly lost and they will take your money. There has been also incident of actual violence and threatening towards some volunteers to intimidate them. I am more than happy to provide support to anyone.

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!