The Real Uganda

I chose the Real Uganda volunteer experience because it seemed a trustworthy program that offered genuine volunteer activities, not just tokenism. The program delivered in every way. I loved living with a Ugandan family. This created a deep level of empathy and understanding for day-to-day life. I loved the groups I volunteered with. The women were so genuinely welcoming and appreciative of having a volunteer. And while my world and theirs is vastly different, my life has been enriched by spending time understanding their world and their lives. If you want to do more than just travel Uganda, I highly recommed the Real Uganda. The program is professionally run, provides great communication and Leslie is a dream to work with. A+++++

Incredible experience. Super challenging. Leslie was a fantastic support through the whole program. Felt like I received a genuine Ugandan experience. Leslie connected me with a fantastic local organisation that is really in it's early stages of development. Spending time in the villages and meeting true locals and hearing their stories has changed me. Uganda is a beautiful country so spending a month it wasn't difficult to fill my time. Go into an experience like this with an open mind and heart.

My volunteering time with The Real Uganda was an eye opening experience and a reminder that a simple life can be so rewarding to others and myself. Learning from the locals and using my skills and knowledge with them was incredible. My experience was so life changing and memorable that nineteen years on, I am still in contact with the Real Uganda.

I participated in The Real Uganda's Public Health Improvement program. While in Uganda I spent most days at a local health center, where I volunteered in the antenatal clinic or the antiretroviral therapy clinic. Since I had not yet begun my medical training, I often sorted medications or documented appointments and patient information. However, volunteers with medical experience and adequate qualifications can be more hands-on in the clinic. I am excited to return to the program after beginning medical school and apply my new knowledge at the clinic. During my time at the clinic, I formed meaningful relationships with the people who worked there. I am so grateful to call some of them friends. Some days, I also helped to build mud stoves during the day, and most evenings were spent bonding with my host family. Although I traveled to Uganda as a volunteer, I gained more from my experiences with the locals than I could have ever imagined. I formed such strong bonds with the people at my volunteer site and my host family -- we keep in contact to this day. While in Uganda, I lived in a village with the sweetest and most caring family. There was so much love and happiness within their house, and we now consider each other family. Side note: Although I thought it would be difficult to get used to having no running water (which meant using outdoor pit latrines and taking cold bucket showers), I adapted to it pretty quickly and it was just fine! Please don't let this deter you. This program allowed me to be fully immersed in Ugandan culture and I LOVED that. The Real Uganda is the absolute opposite of "voluntourism", and exactly what I was looking for. Ugandan culture emphasizes joy, gratefulness, community, and kindness to all. While living in Uganda, I learned and began to embody the country’s values. It was typical to remain leisurely and take the time to fully experience the surrounding people and environments. So if you decide to participate in this program, please allow yourself to enjoy this way of life. Leslie (the program founder) was amazing and extremely helpful, from start to finish. As soon as I confirmed my program dates, Leslie began helping me prepare. In the months leading up to my arrival, she continued to walk me through each step of my international travel journey. While in Uganda, Leslie became my second mom. I always went to her with questions, funny stories, and any concerns, and she was always empathetic, honest, and transparent. I also think it's important to note that she conducts this program out of the kindness of her heart. Although she experiences small financial gain from it, Leslie understands the value of the experience she is able to provide to travelers/volunteers at an affordable price. Volunteering through The Real Uganda is 100% worth it, and I would do it a million more times if I could. At the end of my fourth and final week in Uganda, I called my mother and told her I wanted to live in Uganda -- The Real Uganda fostered the love for this beautiful country that grew within me. Ugandan holds a big piece of my heart, and I plan to return within the next year and travel through The Real Uganda once again.

The six weeks I spend teaching and helping out at the school were amazing! Before coming to Uganda, I had never been to an African country. I wanted to see another country but also to immerse into another culture whilst helping others. This is exactly what I got. I was able to stay in a very small village, to eat the local food, and to experience the local life. Not all days were easy, but it was a very beautiful and fun time. The people at the village were very welcoming and friendly, and I never felt alone for one moment! The Real Uganda gave me a very warm welcome and helped me with anything throughout my stay. I felt very safe with them (as a young white woman travelling solo). They also helped me with any tourist trips I wanted to take. It was an experience I will never forget!

I had never traveled in Africa before this. And I wanted to experience the real Africa not the tourist Africa. And it is what i got. It was very real. Living with a family in a small village, working in a local poor school is very eye opening and humbling. I got to eat local foods and experience their every day life. In school I saw and was part of their education. It was very modest but teachers were very welcomy and trying to education your minds to give them a better future with the little resources they had in use. The Real Uganda program was very well organized from applying, arriving, travelling during my volunteer stay and departure. I felt safe and well taken care of before, during and after. I was placed in Buikwe village which is very grass root small poor village middle of nowhere. I would say that only with The Real Uganda program is possible to experience something like this the authentic and real Africa. I was travelling a lot during my volunteer time so it was more than just work and I got to experience the country.

I have volunteered with TRU for 2 months and I must say it has been one of the most immersive experiences I have ever had. I have previously volunteered in conservation projects but was looking for some more cultural experience that would help me to understand the relationship between the people and the environment. Leslie, the director of TRU, has been very welcoming, answered all my questions, was available when needed and somehow always full of energy! I was placed with a local family, that took good care of me, in Lugazi and my main focus was working with the women's group as it was what I was really interested in. The Mayiando and Buyentete ladies were very welcoming from the first day, always full of joy and cheerful. And I was always excited to go to see and work with them. Together we managed to built fuel efficient clay stoves which they didn't have before and it was apparent that it was something that was needed in the community. These stoves are faster to cook with and use less firewood and produce less smoke so it has multiple benefits. We also started to make some charcoal briquettes but as it was towards the end of my stay I didn't have much time to pursue it. The women were always happy to work but made sure that we also had a good time and we danced, sang and cooked. Sharing a meal with them was always very special. I must say that the ladies truly touched my heart and I will keep them in my memory forever. During my time I had also chance to do some crafts with the Kobba ladies, visited a local clinic and did some reusable pads workshop at the local school with Doreen and Olivia (the family I lived with). I also wanted to see Uganda a bit so in a spare time I travelled to Jinja, Murchison falls, did gorilla trekking and also some cycling! Overall, it has been a beautiful experience with some challenges (as expected) and I think it made me more aware of who I want to be in this world; that we can all have an impact, big or small and that at the end of the day it is our actions that count.

As a nurse in the US, I had always wanted to get some volunteering experience in a foreign country so when my friend mentioned that she was looking at a program in Uganda (The Real Uganda), I asked her if she wanted some company and the planning started…. We were placed at St. Charles Lwanga Buikwe Hospital and stayed with Tony and his family from Hopeline in Lugazi. Tony took the time to show us around Lugazi when we arrived and gave us a tour of all the sites that we’d be visiting. We accompanied the doctor on their morning rounds and I learned so much from them. I learned how they treat for malaria, typhoid, sickle cell crisis, malnutrition to name a few, and how they monitor HIV. I was able to see firsthand the challenges that both the healthcare staff and patient populations face due to the lack of equipment and/or funds yet how positive, humble, and optimistic everyone that I encountered was. In the afternoons, we would visit the ladies in either the Bulyantete and Mayindo groups. If you are a bit introverted like me, don’t worry – you’ll still do fine! You’re going to dance, there’s just no way around it. I had a great time with the women’s groups – everyone was so welcoming and kind. We sang, danced, played net ball, and they taught me how to make kabalagala and how to prepare and fry cassava. Again, the positivity and friendliness was astounding. Leslie totally welcomed us and prepared us for everything, she is easy to communicate with and responds quickly. I think this organization and what she is doing is pretty awesome. If there is anything that you need or want to do, she is your go to person! Definitely take time to do the things like rafting and exploring while you are here – Uganda is beautiful and fun. I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to have had this experience and to have met all of the people that I did on this trip. The only thing that I would change is to spend more time here.

This program could not have been a better program for my first volunteer experience abroad. First off, Leslie the director is amazing and will think of everything you could possibly need to know before you start your adventure here. She immediately made me feel welcome and helped me get comfortable in the foreign culture. It was great to be fully immersed in the day-to-day lives of a Ugandan family. I was placed with Moses and his family and they were very welcoming and fantastic hosts. The living conditions were just the right amount of immersion. I volunteered at a local clinic where I took a taxi to and from. I also helped build stoves in the surrounding community. The volunteering coordination was overall pretty good I never felt awkward or pushed into something unexpected. However, you have to find your voice and let people know what you like to do and where you want to spend most of your volunteer time. I did have quite a lot of free time during most weekdays which wasn't ideal but I made the best out of it, mostly I liked hanging out with my host family in my free time. I would play with the kids and help with cooking and chores which I really liked. I felt so safe! If safety is something that is holding you back, don't let it because I felt safer than I do walking the streets in my own city. There is way more to this experience than volunteering, I also went on little trips almost every weekend and it was amazing exploring this beautiful country. Everyone and everything here taught me so much. This experience changed me as a person and I will carry this knowledge with me wherever I go.

For this entire program, I give 10/10 ⭐ stars because the benefits to both the community and the organization are huge. Especially the knowledge and experience exchanged during volunteering period is priceless and this greatly elevates the once poor communities to well independent villages.

Our programs are so much in benefiting both grassroot individuals most especially the unprevillaged women and children and our volunteers so that to regain hope thus dreaming again, the people we work with are much more happy to receive volunteers who always show them good behavioral habits and they always try to exchange their cultural, educational, emotional values which is what we do want our volunteers and people to obtain in their stay, it's not about being well off to be able to work with us but the love and happiness is more precious to people you will always meet on ground, Our dear friend's we do request you to work together to grow our communities we live in and to make changes in people's lives Best regards Tony

Hello, It's my pleasure to able to share my experience with my first volunteer from the Real Uganda. At first she was a little nervous which is truly fine here and days after that through out her 30days of stay. She was completely a fully blended in person. In my experience, the following elements helped with her quick bonding. Quick interuction with the two programs staff members. This helped my volunteer get different views from different staff with different positions on programs. The routine work outs at the foot ball pitch in my local community. This exposed my volunteer to the wider part of my village which was calm and very welcoming for her stay. The weekend trips to the capital of Uganda and other parts of my district Mukono helped alot in assuring my volunteer about safety both in and out of my home where she stayed with my family for a month. Whenever we could head out to help establish small vegetable gardens for these mothers, my volunteer gets a typical and more authentic rural Ugandan experience hence adding more esteem in her. Yes, there is a Luganda old saying that goes "good things always come to an end while still hot" I couldn't afford looking at my volunteer's eyes plus my daughter's eyes all dropping tears down due to the bonding the family had created with the volunteer on her last day with us. The community we serve got transformed in a sence that if a strange person comes down to help create income generating ventures in rural Uganda then we can do more for our selves. Many more rural homesteads established own small veges gardens to serve the purpose of nutrition uplift and small income growth. Ishmail Programs director, Mercys Nest Foundation.

The real Uganda went above and beyond to make this the best experience of my life. I felt as though I was fairly prepared for the life of Uganda. I had been places before where I didn’t lay eyes on a single other white person in a whole day. I had used outdoor drop toilets and eaten street food with my hands. What I wasn’t prepared for was these aspects magnified like never before. I’d go an entire week without seeing a white person. I’d have every single conversation for a whole school week in broken English. I’d have everything washed in water that would give me typhoid if it wasn’t cooked or dried properly. I felt like I was literally walking a tightrope daily. One wrong move, one wet plate, one mozzie bite and I could be ass up or on the next flight home. I could never properly explain how thrilling and frustrating and all round fucking bananas this whole experience was. No one will ever understand, even if you come, you’ll have your experience not mine. But heck. If you can, if you want to; if it even tickles your travelling pickle to come to Uganda. Do it. Don’t think twice. This is a place I’ll be coming back to regularly and a place ill never stop talking about. It’s a place you feel instantly at home while simultaneously feeling like a freak in a zoo. It’s the best thing I have ever done. My only regret is not coming sooner. Keep being rad Uganda you wild and wonderful thing. Until next time.

From the moment we landed to the time we were collected for our return flight we were offered every opportunity to immerse ourselves in the Ugandan way of life. Amazing tour guides and travel partners.

Volunteering with The Real Uganda is an experience that I still think of often since returning home. I spent 12 weeks in a rural village teaching and helping out around the school and village. I had just gone through a difficult personal time in my life and I needed to shift my focus off of myself and on to others as a way to move forward, and this time in Uganda exceeded my wildest expectations. I could not have picked a better organization to go with for my first trip volunteering abroad. From the moment of first contacting The Real Uganda, they provided me with all of the information and assurance I needed to make the commitment. Once on the ground, I was met by Leslie ( The head of TRU) and myself and the other volunteers were taken around town and instructed on all the basics... ie: how to get cash out, how to use public transportation, cultural norms, best places to eat etc... Then it was off to the village! Spending 3 months living with the kids at the school was incredible. At first it is of course a culture shock, but the kids are SO incredibly happy and friendly and so welcoming that soon you just dive right into your duties. As an artist back home, I spent a good amount of time painting the dorm rooms and had the kids help me paint a large mural at the school, practicing our English along the way. The kids and everyone in Uganda are so friendly and welcoming. They really are such a beautiful community. The Real Uganda also offered detailed information on excursions to do while in Uganda, and were very helpful to set up side trips. While in Uganda I went Gorilla tracking and I went on a safari! I met amazing volunteers from all over the world that I still keep up with to this day. My best take away was to solidify what I already knew, that we are all the same the world over with the same needs and wants and goals. While it may look different to you while in a foreign country, you'll soon learn that you are no different than those you meet along the way. If you get a chance to go abroad with The Real Uganda, please do! It is am amazing country to visit, and TRU will make your stay as seamless as possible! Happy Journeys!

That's my (short) story from volunteering in Uganda in 2014 to founding my own NGO in Germany in November 2019. My time with The Real Uganda began in September 2014, on a rainy day in the middle of the night at the airport in Entebbe. Leslie from The Real Uganda picked me up and I spent the first 48h at her volunteer base in Mukono, enjoying a first orientation. I was then drawn to my chosen projects in Lugazi, an hour away from Mukono, on the third day. My current friend and project partner, Tony Wanyoike, picked me up. We did not know each other or exchanged any information beforehand and my excitement was quite high despite my 34 years of age and various travel experiences. I only remember the first trip together vaguely. But it was a quiet getting to know each other. The silence, uncertainty, some doubts and a kind of cultural shock were gone quickly. Tony Wanyoike is a wonderful person and the support from Leslie and The Real Uganda was important, intensive and helpful, especially in the first days. Over time, I got to know and appreciate not only Tony. I lived together with Tony's family and immersed myself deeply in their everyday life. At the same time, I always kept in touch with Leslie and visited her from time to time in Mukono. I worked particularly intensively with the women's groups in Bulyantete and Mayindo. I also gained an insight into the rural located Kasubi Health Centre and helped to organise lessons at various schools. Every day there was so much traditional singing and dancing during my volunteer time in Uganda. One day I decided to teach "my ladies" a own kind of choreography (watch video below). It was great fun! Those women are amazing in many ways! Uganda is a great country with very hospitable people. My daily work had a great impact on me. I saw myself as a very little daily tealight of hope. Besides the hospitality of the people, I was impressed by the fact that despite great poverty, hunger, disadvantages, educational barriers and some illnesses, they mostly go about their daily lives with admirable humility and confidence. Since those days, the projects in the central Ugandan hinterland have become my microcosm of aid. Since 2019 I am project partner of Tony and Leslie with Hopeline Germany. I hope this partnership will last for a long time. I am always happy to answer detailed questions about my time and life on site. I am looking forward to my next visit in February 2023.

Extremely well structured and established. With evident care and detail in the planning of the trip. Experience the real day-to-day life of Ugandans and get uncensored access to their culture. Truly an eye-opening experience, that I have not taken for granted.

I spent a month in Uganda volunteering with The Real Uganda. Prior to traveling, I researched a lot of volunteer programs. Most were too costly and didn't offer a community outreach or public health program. The Real Uganda had just what I was looking for, and to top that off, the founder, Leslie is based in Uganda, which made me feel more secure. I got the chance to volunteer at two places. I worked with an organization that works with children with disabilities including cerebral palsy and epilepsy. The work I did with the organization was so inspiring and amazing. I helped the director with various tasks including handing out porridge to the families, creating and maintaining a garden for the families, collecting and distributing money for the women empowerment fund, and helping the children with physical therapy. I also volunteered at a health clinic, where I got the chance to shadow clinicians and take vital signs. My experience working with the clinic and organization was so immersive and nothing short of amazing. Outside of volunteering, my host family was so amazing and welcoming. I loved playing with my host siblings and talking to my host mom and host dad (who happened to work at the clinic and be the director of the organization). And if that is not enough to convince anyone to volunteer, Uganda is such a beautiful country. The landscape is breathtaking. Also, there is a lot to do in the country, from ziplining through the forest, gorilla trekking, and riding a boat up and down the Nile River. This was not my first time abroad, but I can say this was one of my most memorable experiences abroad. I would go back in a heartbeat. Great organization and great program!

I just completed a 4-week placement with the Real Uganda in Buikwe District! During this time, I taught classes at the Hamilton Primary school, teaching 8 P2 students. I taught everything from Math to Reading, sometimes just in the mornings and sometimes for the whole school day! Because of COVID, schools had been closed for 2 years. In spite of the challenges that missing two years of formalized education can pose, these students were caring, driven, and eager to learn! They were welcoming to me as an outsider, offering to teach me some Luganda, show me around the town, and bring in local treats! The other Hamilton teachers provided a safe space for someone with little formal teaching experience to learn! I loved teaching the kids new songs and games and finding ways to make the lessons interactive. I am so grateful to the students for being their amazing selves, the teachers for supporting me, and to the Real Uganda for making this experience possible!

Leslie at the Real Uganda is doing something really special and incredible. She has taught me so much about the Real Uganda and about traveling ethically. She does a very good job of getting volunteers settled. There were many times that something happened in the village that Leslie had already predicted/given me advice on! When I had stomach problems, Leslie responded right away and made me feel very safe and protected. She even planned our weekend excursions and gave us lots of information on how we could make the most of our time. I found myself planning my departure of Uganda around when I could properly say goodbye to Leslie. I wanted to make sure that I had ample time to debrief my experience because she had become so important to my experience!! Because she is from Canada, I felt like she knew what I needed to know before staying in village. The Public Health program that I was placed at really prioritized my learning. As soon as I arrived, I was sat down and explained all of their HIV protocols. I was encouraged to ask any questions that I had, and all of the clinicians were eager to help me learn. I spent most of my time pricking fingers in the lab for testing and recording patient information in the records. While the work was not always riveting, I knew that I was spending my time in a way that was helping the clinic. There were days that I did 60-70 malaria tests! That is 60-70 people that did not have to wait around as long and could receive care much quicker. I really enjoyed getting to know the clinicians. They made a point to learn my name and say hi to me around the facility. In fact, once I saw a clinician out in town, and she accompanied me to get all the things I needed to buy! Another aspect of the public health program involved building plate drying racks. This allowed plates to dry above the ground and not collect dirt/bacteria while drying. We built three different drying racks for three different families during my month. We learned from community members what we needed to cut and measure and just followed their lead! I have never been as impressed as I was when I saw a 70-year-old women machete through a branch in 4 swings. For context, it took me about 20 to get all the way through. I was humbled, to say the least. This was an awesome project! I loved learning from the experts and seeing community members come together. The first two racks we made were all women groups, and that was super empowering to see. Excuse my language, but these women were certified badasses!! Overall, my month in Uganda was characterized with lot of learning. I learned so many traveling tips, and I have a lot more confidence in traveling alone. I learned about HIV and how a clinic operates. I learned how to use natural resources to make a drying rack. I learned about what Uganda is really like! Most of all, I learned more about the person I want to be and the way I want to exist in the world. A lot of this is thanks to The Real Uganda.

I'm not sure where to even start. This program was absolutely incredible. I spent my time with Moses and his family, living with them in their home. The family was very welcoming and offered insight in to what day-to-day life in Uganda looks like. My time spent volunteering consisted of three main projects. 1 - Volunteering with Kabembe Parent's School. I was worried this part of the program would be more babysitting, but it wasn't. The volunteering at the school was pretty comprehensive, from helping to teach classes to assisting the teachers with grading homework. I was excited to see that the children were genuinely eager to learn. Children are in large part similar all around the world - they all love to play, laugh, and be silly, and there was definitely room made for this at the school. 2 - Working in the remote villages to build sustainable clay ovens. This was very culturally immersive. The importance of these ovens are so significant for the people using them, and the final users were present and involved in the construction as well. These ovens help to limit smoke while cooking (which causes a lot of home fires), helps prevent deforestation, and other benefits. 3 - One day at a refugee camp to spend time playing soccer with children. As many of the schools in Uganda are private, and these families cannot afford to pay for their children's tuition, this program helps the children to get scholarships so they may attend school. While this opportunity is only available on one day of the week, it was the most resonating for me. I feel it's important to note that during my entire experience with Leslie and Moses I felt very welcome and safe. Everyone involved in the program was very approachable and I would have felt comfortable coming to them with a problem, although I did not have any. A large part of my experience was from talking with people in the program and from the community. I would 110% recommend this program to anyone seeking an immersive, cultural volunteer experience in Uganda. PS - Mukono has an incredible street market one day of the week. Check it out if you can!

I volunteered with The Real Uganda for 3 month in two different projects. The first 6 weeks I spent in a public health project. We built clay stoves, made hand crafts, gave nutrition advices and worked in a aids clinic and at a school. I had different kind of options to do in this project and I could choose at the beginning, in which area I wanted to spent most of the time. In my second project I changed the family and the place to work in the agriculture. We have been in different areas with different groups of women. It was very interesting and all these women were absolutly lovely. The families, where I lived, were very friendly and gave me a second home. I always felt very welcome and I could talk to the parents about every topic I was interested or whats on my mind. The organization around my stay was very good! Leslie is doing here a great job. The pick up at the airport, the first night, the places where I lived ect. everything was organized very well! It's also very nice, that I could always contact Leslie and she was always there for me. Also when things are difficult, or I felt homesick or whatever. Finally, I had great 3 month in Uganda and I can really recommend The Real Uganda.

My partner and I only volunteered for 2 weeks with The Real Uganda, yet we reminisce about it the most out of all our 5 month adventure. We wanted to experience community life in rural Uganda, living with and working alongside the locals, and that is exactly what we got! Leslie was really informative and supportive throughout. She was super accommodating - given that I am a teacher and I had initially applied to volunteer in schools but couldn't because it was the holidays while we were there, Leslie offered alternative outreach options for us that would fit the bill rather than turning us away. We chose to help with the Balamu project, building sustainable energy mud stoves one day and supporting children with their football training the next. Living with the host Moses in rural Uganda gave us a real insight into daily life and we met so many amazing Ugandans doing fantastic outreach work in their community. It was a privilege to assist them. If you're looking for a chance to experience real day-to-day Uganda (as the name suggests), this program gives you that and lifelong memories - we got engaged whilst making mud stoves so it is extra special for us! You need to be flexible and take some initiative with making yourself busy. There are moments of dead time (this might again be because it was the school holidays so there were fewer activities) but these can also be the times when you step out of your remit and gain a different perspective. If you're looking for a more rigorous timetable, perhaps another one of the Real Uganda programs, e,g, the clinic, would be more suitable. Either way Leslie is really helpful, as I say, and can help you every step of the way. For us, we were so pleased we chose this experience and it is one we go down memory lane and talk about all the time.

It was a great time I spent in Uganda, in Kabembe school in Mukono district. The coordinator of the program, the director of the school, teachers and students - everyone was very welcome and made me feel like home. The work was good, thanks to all the teaching materials I had brought with me, I could show the local teachers what other methods they could use when working with the students. Although the teachers didn't seem to be very eager to learn a lot and change a bit their approach (I also have a full understanding of the difficulties thay have to face everyday and the salaries they get), I have a feeling that the approach to work and students that I showed them, might have had a tiny influence on this school community. The students were amazing, full of joy and so eager to learn. It was such a pleasure to teach them :) I think I have learned them something (best to my skills and abilities) but I also have learned something from them. About the place, the school and all the people I met there, I will always have warm thoughts. It was indeed an experience of a lifetime. The living conditions were ok, the help and support of the coordinator of the program was very good (including the trips for the weekend). It was a piece of real Uganda :) that I have experienced.

My goal for coming to Uganda was a strong desire to teach in a country very different to my own. I wanted to experience a new culture and see more of the world. I definitely achieved this, along with so much more. I was based at a local school in Mukono district for 10 weeks. I lived on-site with the beautiful head mistress and the 20 children who called the school 'home'. This meant that I lived and breathed the 'real Uganda'. My weekdays would consist of teaching a P1 class for most of the day, coming home from school and playing with the children, then doing it all again tomorrow. It was a huge change from a New Zealand classroom, I was teaching 'grass roots' style and having so much fun. Although the children lacked many things we at home take for granted, they were so happy. It was seeing their big smiles each day that made me so thankful for this opportunity. The weekends were spent doing activities all around Uganda. Including safaris, whitewater rafting, gorilla trekking as well as just relaxing at the Mukono Guesthouse with the director Leslie Weighill. She always made us feel at home. It's hard to summarise two months in a few paragraphs- but I would say it was the best decision I have ever made. I'll be honest it wasn't smooth sailing the whole time (culture shock is a thing), but the experience, the people and the culture made it unforgettable. The organisation was exceptional, and they chose a fantastic school to place me at, which I will always consider my 'Ugandan Home.' I made lifelong friends and learned so much more about myself. I can't wait to go back! So to those considering an international volunteer teaching placement- look no further.

I spent four weeks with Volunteer the Real Uganda, working in a community outreach/public health program. 'Accidentally' coming across Leslie's organization and getting in touch with her was the best thing that could've possibly happened. She came back to every single E-Mail in less than 24 hours, sending me a ton of information beforehand. She puts a lot of effort into preparing volunteers to work in Uganda, I have really never seen anything like it. Within 24 hours of arrival I got a crash course in all relevant matters, like how to use public transport, what to expect at the project, what to do in case of sickness, etc.. During my stay Leslie was contactable 24/7, and very helpful! Work at the project site was good, the living conditions simple but sufficient. The people living in the project with me were lovely and doing a great job at teaching Luganda and making me try all the foods. We drove out to different villages (for either day trips or a few days in a row) and gave talks on HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, nutrition, sanitation,... It is intense and sometimes hard work, but super rewarding. Because of the short stay I decided to work weekends, but could've also used them to see some more of Uganda. It's a stunning country! I can absolutely recommend Leslie and the Real Uganda, if you feel like volunteering in a very real, down to earth project. She does an amazing job.

If you want a luxury vacation with a side of "feel good", this is not the program for you. If you want an authentic experience where you actually WORK and get your hands dirty (often literally!), then this may be the program for you! Not only do you have numerous opportunities to get involved in different projects and development activities, but the director is great about getting into meaningful discussions. Be prepared to think, challenge yourself, and maybe reconsider previous notions you may have had. There are different program options for a volunteer, and I would encourage getting involved with more than one thing! If there are other volunteers at different placements- visit them! If you are presented with an opportunity to try something(anything really)- try it! There will be things you'll love, there will probably be things you don't love as much...but it's all part of the experience. Make the most of it!

Even thought it's a volunteer program I felt I have taken so much more than I gave during my time in Uganda. I spent two weeks working with the village ladies in the farm in the morning and playing with kids of different ages in the evening. They were all extremely welcoming and fun and they took me in as part of their family right away. I particularly enjoyed the discussion time with them, both the ladies and kids were very open to share about their life and problems and also keen to learn about me and my culture. My hosts, Leslie from The Real Uganda and Robert and Vivian from the local NGO partner Lugacraft, not only took very good care of me while I was there but also taught me so much about the local culture. Because of this I felt I have built a special tie with Uganda compared to other countries I visited in Africa. Special thanks to Leslie who gave me plenty of useful information and managed my expectation prior to my arrival so that I left the program and country with only very fond memories.

I went to Uganda for 8 weeks on my first trip leaving North America. The Real Uganda/Leslie supported me through from my first few days to my last, and helped me adjust to a new way of life! I worked as a health educator in a rural community training leaders who are responsible for households in their village. We discussed topics like sanitation, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, and family planning. Along with the topics we were able encourage community members to build plate stands and vegetable gardens by giving demonstrations in the village. I grew stronger as a person during the challenges of living and working in as a global volunteer. I really had to put myself into the way work gets done in Uganda because of the different values and customs in another country. I understand now how much culture influences the way we think. I also learned a lot about sustainable solutions and community empowerment which is something I hope to use in my career one day. I was able to do some tourism and fun activities on the weekends when I wasn't working. Uganda has amazing things to see and do. Somehow I found myself swimming down the Nile River in the middle of Africa without a worry in the world! It was awesome. If you want to volunteer abroad in a responsible way and get an authentic experience in another culture I would recommend this organization. Volunteering in Uganda isn't easy but it was so worth it!

I couldn’t recommend this program more. This experienced changed my life forever. I was living inside the school and also teaching in the pre-school aged class. It was more than being part of a school, I was part of a family. I truely couldn’t explain how amazing this was. I count down the days until I can return!!

Spending one week in Uganda in 2016, it was enough to make me go back for six weeks a year later. I went all around the country seeing all it had to offer, safari at Murchison falls, white water rafting the Nile, zip lining through the forest, but my favourite part was seeing all the different organisations that they work with to place volunteers. I worked along side the community to build a rabbit hut, teach in schools, fix wells, work in a clinic, build a house, did crafts and made amazing connections with people i still miss today. Not only would I recommend The Real Uganda to anyone, but I am planning on getting back there as soon as I can.

I've been on multiple volunteer experiences but nothing challenged me and my perspectives in the same way, especially in such a short period of time. Not only did I feel completely immersed in Ugandan culture but I learnt so much. With The Real Uganda you get the opportunity to look under first impressions, ditching that hero mentality that other organisations instil to their volunteers. Good volunteering is more about a cultural exchange and thats the amazing experience you can receive. It really opened my eyes and I am forever thankful for that. I would love to go back and do it all again and I would recommend to anyone to grab that opportunity too, you won't regret it.

I was in Uganda for a only a week but man, I feel the NEED to go back. I never went in with the mentality of 'saving people' like so many other foundations claims to do! But little did I know that the people I met and worked with were the real heroes. It opened my eyes to their passion for life, their amazing food and how they work in nature. I will be forever grateful to the Real Uganda for letting me experience the beautiful Ugandan culture!

I volunteered with the real Uganda in October of 2017. I was there for a little less than 2 weeks and I volunteered with the Hope line Organization. I have always wanted to volunteer in Africa, and I wanted to find an organization that truly helped out the local community and knew precisely what the locals need/want. Initially contacting Leslie, she answered all my questions and put to bed any hesitations I had about volunteering for an NGO that doesn't have their foot on the ground and understands the local populace. Even though Leslie is what they would call a "mzungu," she has lived in Uganda for over a decade, thoroughly vets all orgs she puts her volunteers in, and really really genuinely cares. Upon arrival, Leslie helped settle me in and introduced me to Uganda. She set my expectations and explained what was going to happen throughout my two weeks in Uganda. Additionally, prior to my trip, I found The Real Uganda website to be incredibly helpful!!! I packed according to tips on the website, and read as much as I can about the culture and people of Uganda. On my second day, I was introduced to my host and director of Hopeline, Tony. Tony, his wife Doreen, and his family were amazing hosts, and treated me as if I were family. During my stay with Tony, I went to the school, helped out at the medical clinic, and hung out with the women's group. All and all, I wish I could have spent more time there. I felt that I barely scratched the surface with my interactions with everyone I met, Tony and his family included. To add on to that, I had to leave a bit early from my experience due to work. Overall, I would say I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It was truly great to see and live with local Ugandans whom have such a different culture from what I grew up in. To potential future volunteers, I give one word of advice: go in with an open mind and an open heart. Try everything at least once. If you go in with this mentality, everything will be amazing.

I will be forever grateful for my experience in Uganda with The Real Uganda! I recently went to watch a video screening from an organization that I thought was going to be all about empowering women from across the world and the US. Instead I found a documentary that was completely focused on themselves and how they were making a difference and how important the work that they were doing was. It was infuriating. The entire video made me so uncomfortable and visibly angry. Throughout the screening, I kept thinking about was how THANKFUL I am that my first experience with international travel was with The Real Uganda and I got to experience Grassroots organizations that were run by Ugandans helping Ugandans. I got to learn directly from them what was helpful and how sometimes what we think is helpful is actually very harmful. I had to learn how to navigate the country without a "driver" and learned to feel comfortable in this wonderful country. So really this is just a shout out to The Real Uganda for what they do and teaching me about how freaking AMAZING Uganda is and that the best teachers are the people who are in it themselves! If you are considering traveling abroad and want to volunteer, this is ABSOLUTELY the best organization to do it with!

I didn't really think about the name of the charity - the Real Uganda - until I reflected upon my volunteering experience when I got back home, but I think it sums it up pretty well. I experienced living with a real Ugandan family, in a real Ugandan community, experienced real Ugandan life and made a real difference. I lived with a couple who ran the local church and school and their four kids, plus their extended family and community who are all around to interact with and help you out and talk to you; you really do become part of the family and community. I helped out on the farm (all though not as much as planned due to the dry weather, the soil was to hard to do much!), as well as at the local school painting, playing games with the children, and helping the school cook, or matron. On the weekends there is plenty to see and do in Uganda; safaris, visit the river Nile, Kampala, there is a lot to experience. If this is what you are looking for then then The Real Uganda is a perfect choice for you.

I spent 6 weeks with this program and only wish I could have afforded to stay longer. The people are the kindest most humble people I have ever come across. Leslie was so helpful and a pleasure to be around with a wealth of local knowledge! Uganda is such a beautiful country!

My daughter and I volunteered together for 5 weeks. And what an experience it was. Life was tough at times, but the smiles from young and old made everyday a blessing. Yes there are mossies, rodents, spiders and pigs but each have a purpose. We helped with education seminars about healthy living, education and family. Much of our time was spent on islands in Lake Victoria. I’ve done a lot in my life, but my volunteering weeks are very high on my list of ‘pleased that I did this’. Leslie is brilliant.

Most places and people you talk to will freak you out about going to Uganda. Those people usually have never been to Africa. They just hear stories about war after war after war and think, “Well, Uganda is in Africa, so they must be in a war and have all kinds of crime and chaos going on, so obviously if you go there, you will probably die.” I had so many visions of giant killer bugs, insane mosquitoes, getting deathly ill, getting abducted, killed, whatever… hahaha! Turns out that I felt safer there than I did in downtown Rochester NY! That’s where I live… That doesn’t mean that you throw caution to the wind or anything. Be safe, be smart, and be cautious, but definitely relax.

I signed up for the “Agriculture and Conservation” but my volunteering was not as straightforward as picking up a shovel and being shown what to do. I was given time with another volunteer to brainstorm on things we could add or improve in our designated school, “Hopeland”. We formed dozens of ideas for the farm, soccer pitch, kitchen, garden, school beautification and education. Then we just went for it and started digging. There was plenty of undeveloped land and we tried to tackle every idea we had. In between, there were errands that needed to be done around the school, so we would give a helping hand. We dug out the foundation of an old building to plant grass, dispersed rubble from the demolished building to divert rainwater and to build a ramp for walking, cleared out land for the garden, used broken bricks to improve a pathway and border the garden, planted seeds that we bought and watered everyday, taught classes for a week on environmental concern and our home-countries, helped the construction of a temporary farmhouse, and started a “Bottlebrick” project to collect plastic waste with students all over the school and reduce burned rubbish. Tasks changed from day to day. Some weeks were labor intensive and others were interacting with the children.

I spent weekday mornings (roughly 8:30am-1pm) at the “garden”—a much too modest translation for the extensive fields they own. I was always there with someone else and would help them with our tasks for the day. I often helped clear land for planting, mulch or add manure, plant beans and cover the seeds. After time back at home for lunch, I would go to the school to help out. The students were on holiday break, so my first week I found various ways to help the teachers, like making educational posters for the classrooms. My last few weeks, I ran an afterschool recreation program for the kids. About 30 kids attend optional school during the holidays, and by 3pm they’re ready to be out of class running around. From about 3pm-5pm we would go to a field and play lots of games and soccer. Jump in, try everything, step out of your comfort zone (even if it’s just one step at a time!) Learn some Luganda—it goes a long way. Embrace the mzungu calls and throw back a greeting in Luganda. Introduce yourself and get to know the local kids. They’ll see you everywhere and it’s nice to be greeted by your own name for a change. Spend time at your homestay and at least a couple weekends in the village. Go to church with your family. Play with the kids. Walk through town. Buy fruit at the market. Play soccer with the males in town. Learn how to make chapatti. Be smart, but don’t be afraid of street food. Eat a lot of sugar cane, especially if you’re working in the garden. Be patient and go with the flow. Things and time operate differently there and it’s best if you’re open to experiences and ready for anything! Be flexible. Take it all in. Unplug from home. Enjoy the simple life and inspiring people you’ll meet.

When volunteering for the Real Uganda, I split my time between a village farm and the owners’ small community school. While working in several of the farm’s gardens, I helped to till land, add natural fertilizers and plant seeds of different varieties. I was able to assist in digging holes for and plant fruit tree seedlings. I also had the opportunity to learn about how various fruits and vegetables grow. Additionally, I was able to share my knowledge about producing soymilk from soybeans, which was used to further develop a sustenance food program for the school’s elementary students. While working in the school, I spent time visiting classes and was able to help improve the school by providing teacher-training workshops to the school’s staff. I conducted several workshops on enhancing reading skills amongst learners and creating child friendly lesson plans. I would suggest that future volunteers come to their placements with an open mind, leaving any expectations of personal gain out of their journey. They should stay in the moment each day and give fully from the heart. Since volunteering is a path of giving, people should share their knowledge but also stay humble. And, they should conduct themselves, as respectable individuals in all situations to produce greater esteem.

Disillusioned with working in the West and approaching middle age, I embarked upon a mini journey with a mission to rediscover who I am and find out what life options might exist beyond managing the menopause and looking forward to my pension. I have always enjoyed previous visits to Africa as a tourist but was looking for immersion, just to find out how I might cope with living and working out there in the future. From the outset The Real Uganda lived up to it's name by providing information about Ugandan daily life and cultural norms before and during the volunteering experience. Help was on hand for the practicalities of sorting out mobile phone data and useful information provided on how to access health care, what currency to bring and where to get a hot shower etc. What I loved the most was the availability of the TRU director Leslie Weighill and her passion and commitment to Uganda. She is real and incredibly experienced. I would recommend The Real Uganda without hesitation and cannot think of one negative aspect of my experience in relation to her care. Even when I had a mishap with the public transport system out there, she made herself available and provided useful advice. It is evident that Leslie chooses her her host families with care. Mine were amazing. Like Leslie, they were passionate about community and cultural empowerment. They were a tight family unit and in no time I felt I belonged. I enjoyed my reasonings and eating their great food all organically grown. Actually I would come back for the food alone if I am brutally honest. The culmination of my experience with TRU has left me feeling refreshed and motivated. I also have a vision and one that embraces the "Ubuntu" ethic that Leslie talked about during my visit. Although my currebt work in the UK restricts the length of time I can volunteer, I would love to repeat the experience with The Real Uganda again.

In the VERY beginning, I can admit I wanted to come in and help improve the living condition of those living in extreme poverty. At the advice (read: expertise) of Leslie, I ditched that philosophy, realizing that consuming a few books written by Westerners and the opinions they have of what Africa needs come from a good place – but they don’t always concern themselves with the thoughts and opinions of those directly affected. I changed this philosophy just to one of having an open mind, and to let my hosts and the women we worked with make whatever impression they would… and impress they did!

At the boarding school, I helped in the daily affairs: kitchen, washing dishes and clothes, helping the kids with their homework at night. We would also fetch water for showers, as well as for cooking. Sometimes I would go to the nearby town to bring some treats for the kids living there. I spent a lot of time playing and getting to know the kids. I taught English and helped the teachers provide homework for the children. I spent a number of days helping the local community filling out government forms for their children to get an ID, since many parents don’t speak English.

I was able to work at a school, at the medical clinic, and with the local women. At the school, I taught and played with the children. Learning each other’s culture and language was really fascinating. In the medical clinic, I gave malaria and HIV tests. At first, I was quite timid, but after awhile I got the hang of it. With the local women, I hung out with them and crafted with them. Working with village women was great, because part of my goals was to be able to get to know the local people. Due to time and the language barrier, I think my chats with them barely scratched the surface, but I would love to spend more time with them and get to know them better. I could probably pick their brain for hours at a time.

The whole experience from start to finish was fantastic! From the day I sent the application I knew I had made the right decision. Leslie was there every step of the way to support you, answer questions and provide material to help you prepare for your journey. She is passionate, knowledgable and an all round ‘rad’ woman! I spent a total of two weeks working with Hopeline in September 2017 and cannot find a bad word to say about a second of it. I had prevously been to Uganda four times with another organisation where we would stay in hotels/guest houses throughout our voluntary trip; despite my existing love for the country and the people I craved more. On return from my last trip I had decided I wanted to find an organisation that could teach me more about Uganda, emmerse me in the culture and way of life. The Real Uganda was exactly that. You are placed with a host family (Tony, Doreen and their family were incredible and really couldn’t have taken care of me better!) and work alongside their organisations. You are given support and choice throughout, giving you the ability to be independant and get out exactly what you have put in to the experience. I dug, harvested crops, planted seeds, learnt to crochet, made crafts, tested for malaria, assisited in a medical clinic, helped to cook, shopped in the markets, played in the village and could not have felt more welcome throughout the whole stay! “Muzungu, how are you?” Is something you will hear chanting from the time you arrive to the moment you leave for the airport. There’s a reason Uganda was voted the friendliest country in the world. If you are considering volunteering with The Real Uganda, go for it! One few words of advice, say yes to everything, join in, sing, dance, speak the language, ask questions, tell your story, listen and get stuck in and you won’t regret it!! You will return having learnt way more than you ever thought possible and with a heart bursting with love for your new family and second home; Uganda!

I have nothing bad to say about my experience through The Real Uganda, in fact it was one of the best decisions I ever made to travel with them. If you want to make a real impact on true Ugandan communities, to work with inspiring, passionate and dedicated people, to do something you cant do anywhere else, but still have the chance to have a weekend to go on safari, or white water raft the Nile, then this is for you. Never have I been somewhere I have felt so welcome, but also where I have felt I've made a true impact. Leaving was the hardest part of my time there. I am forever grateful to founder Leslie for my time there, and for placing me with my Uganda family at Hopeline.

My first time traveling EVER was to volunteer with the real Uganda in Uganda and let me say how happy am i to have had this opportunity, at the age of 25 I was a bit nervous but ever so happy to just get out and see the world & different cultures and it's because of Leslie that my experience went so smoothly, if i can recommend any organization to travel abroad it would be with The real Uganda, during my stay i helped plant hundreds of plants & trees and does it ever feel satisfying afterwards to stand back and see with your own eye's what you've helped accomplished,after working in the Garden until noon i sometimes helped at the school in the yard playing with Frisbees and the odd game of football soon as i was finished having my butt kicked by all the kids i was given spare time to venture out and explore my surroundings which was just fantastic! and it all couldn't have been done without the knowledge of Leslie,Robert & Judith. I'm forever in their debt, This organization truly deserved the full 10 ratings on EVERY question because in simpler words it truly did exceed far past my original expectations when traveling for the first time to a foreign country and because of that i plan on returning march 2018, see you guys again soon :)

The only thing I have to complain, is that I spent way to little time there (roughly 2 weeks). However it gave me a good insight into the diversity of Uganda. Both socially as well as into the natural beauty of the country, and the bustle of its cities. The project I was included gave me the chance of contacting with village communities, health directors, company managers/owners, business women groups, and even former government leaders. The whole logistics was admirably coordinated, and Leslie (and Sophia) makes you feel at home from the minute you arrive in Mukono... actually, even before that, since she might even "help" you pack your bag by suggesting what to bring or not for your stay in Uganda. I will never forget the taste of the mangos or the pineapples. And since my stay in Uganda, a Rolex never meant an expensive watch never again, but was substituted by the delightful thought of a tasty wrap made on the street in front of you. The dignity and friendliness of the people was overwhelming. Being called a Mzungu always made me laugh. Distributing condoms to young guys was really fun! Learning how much people are actually informed about AIDS and similar diseases was eye opening. Loved it... wanted to go there again... will do it some day, and take my son along.

I volunteered through The Real Uganda in 2009. Sometimes, I can't believe it's been that long. The memories have stuck with me in large part because the program was/is so well run. In a way, this efficiency optimized my volunteer experience and made it even more wonderful. I have volunteered abroad through other programs and this one is at the top of my list. Leslie, who runs the program, is wonderful! I highly recommend The Real Uganda!

That whole "don't judge a book by its cover" mess that your parents told you is true (who would've known). The people in Uganda COULDN'T POSSIBLY be more kind than they already are. The people love outsiders, especially the ones who come not as tourists.

I just recently returned from 2 weeks in Uganda working with the Real Uganda. I did a ton of research on non-profits and chose this organization for several reasons. First - it is grassroots and when I spoke with Leslie the founder, I felt that her mission really spoke to me. She is not out to try to westernize Uganda or bring major change. She is simply trying to bring people together to inspire each other, learn about each other and lend a helping hand in the area of life that the Ugandans are taking upon themselves to try to improve. In addition, she places you with a host family in the village, so you are not on the periphery of a new and different culture, you are immersed in it! This was something that was a non-negotiable for me. I didn't not want to be placed in a volunteer hotel, and my family was wonderful, loving and I will be in touch with them always! Everyday here is different and you are not sure what they day has in store for you! I taught and played with little kids at a very underprivileged village school, made bricks with the boys, built a plate stand with a women's group and helped them with their garden. You work with groups of women who have banded together to try to be innovative and improve their lives. It is inspiring to be a part of! I came away with way more than I thought I gave and I am eternally grateful for this experience. In addition, Leslie makes sure you have the weekends off so you can experience all that Uganda has to offer!!! Don't think about this - just do it! It will be one of the best experiences of your life. The Real Uganda is HIGHLY recommended!!!!!

The Real Uganda is a wonderful organization! Very well organized and set-up to create a positive experience! The founder is knowledgeable, helpful, and available to assist volunteers. She is thoughtful about how to provide support in a meaningful and sustainable way. The organization, The Real Uganda partners with are also doing high-quality work. I taught in a rural school and had a positive and memorable experience! The kids and staff were wonderful! The level of support I received was tailored to meet my needs. I stayed with a host family and felt fully immersed in Ugandan culture. The Real Uganda founder also helped facilitate interactions with fellow volunteers working with different host organizations which was helpful to meet other people in a similar situation. Overall, I would absolutely, without a doubt, recommend this organization!! And will volunteer again myself if I make it back to Uganda :).

Through The Real Uganda, I worked with an organization called Hope Line. It had been a dream to volunteer in Africa for many years, and The Real Uganda not only made this possible, but also ensured that I had the most amazing experience. The support they provided throughout my experience was invaluable, and provided the groundwork for my volunteer experience to have the greatest positive impact on both the people I worked with, and myself.

My two volunteer teaching experiences with The Real Uganda, Fall 2007 and Summer 2010, had a pivotal role in my career path which has led me to pursue my Master of Arts in Sustainable Development from the School for International Training Graduate Institute. Director Leslie Weighill does an amazing job of placing volunteers in quality local NGOs and school placements, while providing support for volunteers while they are in country. My four months within Uganda opened my eyes to a different worldview outside of the U.S. context. I cannot imagine a better volunteer opportunity, particularly to gain an initial insight into Ugandan culture.

I couldn't have more fabulous things to say about Uganda or The Real Uganda. Organizational support was just what was needed, while I got to have the experience I was looking for--at least, to the extent that I knew what I was looking for. Uganda's a hard country to not fall in love with, and I've been coming back ever since I volunteered years ago.

About a year ago, I had a strong desire to go to Uganda. The only problem? I didn't know where to start. Thus, I did quite a bit of research. In my search for a quality organization to volunteer with, I found "The Real Uganda." The Real Uganda proved to be just that- and so much more. From Day 1, TRU (The Real Uganda) supported me in every way that I needed. As soon as I arrived in Uganda, everything that TRU had arranged for me went precisely as planned. I felt safe the entire time, and EXTREMELY welcome! The staff was much awaiting my arrival, and I soon became fast friends with them. In addition, they were superb at forming a community with all of the volunteers. TRU gave us great information on the best Safaris, Nile Rafting guides, and all other enter forms of entertainment. On the weekends, us volunteers would gather together from our separate volunteer location sites to take advantage of these African adventures. Since then, I STILL keep in contact with some of the staff and volunteers. In fact, just 5 days ago I traveled to see a volunteer that I got to know in Uganda! In addition, two Ugandan staff members came and stayed with my family and I when they traveled to the US for the first time, and my family and theirs are now good family friends. In fact, my dad and I are traveling back to Uganda in for 4 weeks to see them, and volunteer! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!! I have missed it SO deeply since I left. I was located in a remote village outside of Mukono, where I taught/lived in an Orphanage and School. Never have I EVER been so humbled. Hilariously enough, I went to serve. However, what I didn't realize is that I would be the one who would be completely changed! Many organizations don't always properly distribute volunteer funds to the people who need it. However, with TRU this is NOT the case. TRU places volunteers at sites that TRULY need attention and funds. While I was there, the orphanage I worked at was able to have uniforms made for some students due to my volunteer funds. Unlike many western schools, it is pretty vital that students have uniforms at schools. Can you imagine learning in a raggedy t-shirt without pants on? No. Thus, I was so thankful that TRU knew exactly how volunteer funds need to be given. The Real Uganda TRULY gave me the best experience of my life thus far. I could NOT have chosen a more perfect organization to go to Uganda with, and I will definitely be keeping the friendships and memories that I made with me for the rest of my life.

I volunteered with The Real Uganda for two months as an undergraduate. I had never been anywhere in Africa or even outside of my home country by myself before that. Leslie was an amazing administrator and made me feel comfortable and prepared coming into the program, answering every email I sent in the weeks and even days leading up to it extremely quickly. She works very hard to ensure that each volunteer is given the opportunity to do something meaningful and relevant to their interests and also to just experience life in Uganda. I was placed with an organization that focuses mainly on health and education which enabled me to get involved with a wide variety of activities, from helping with mobile health clinics and a peer mentorship program to reading with kids. Through The Real Uganda, I made Ugandan friends with whom I still keep in touch and had an experience that still influences the way I see and think about the world.

I am belgian and found the organisation online, I had little English knowledge when I arrived in Uganda, I had booked to volunteer in a remote setting for 6 months and this was in 2006. I was picked up by the director at the airport and her vibes, love for uganda an the projects and the way she talked about it just made me sooo excited. Then I was picked up by the program director of the project i was going to be living in Lugazi with Valence and Doreen, and what an experience, I helped building a school fro mthe first stone, we did the first registrations for the kids, made the uniforms, and you should see it now. they are building extra classes, the have bording school, primary and even secondary classes now, the kids get great grades and this is a fantastic school with amazing teachers. THE REAL UGANDA gives you this real experience, your money is spend on the project and it helps building lives, education and so much more. I reccommend it to everyone! I keep going back to uganda and I keep visiting my ugandan family. I love them very much and they are forever in my heart.

The Real Uganda (TRU) is a small ugandan NGO with a very passionful impulse to change people's lives sustainable. Based in the small town of Mukono in Central Uganda Lesley & her partners support local projects with strong efforts, respect & humbleness. For me personal this is a perfect example for a meaningful and profound development cooperation. I hope and I am convinced that this will be the case today, tomorrow and in future. Those guys are diamonds in the sky for every single child, woman & man in this part of the world. Go on doing this!

I cannot say enough good things about Uganda, The Real Uganda, and Leslie as a program director! I arrived in Uganda feeling completely prepared. I was provided with an email for any questions which were answered promptly and thoroughly, I had a checklist of things I needed (from bug spray to health insurance) and just enough information about the culture that I knew what to expect. Leslie encourages all of her volunteers to be extremely open-minded and honest with themselves about what they can expect out of your volunteer experience. Leslie does a wonderful job about being aware of many of the concerns I had as a volunteer such as (Is this a sustainable program? Where does the money go? Am I going to be a drain on anyone's expenses or resources?) She was more than willing to sit down with me whenever I needed to talk about these issues. She provided me with stories and experiences she has had with the Ugandan people that have allowed her to approach things in a sustainable way that provides lasting benefits to the communities volunteers work with. Personally I worked through The Real Uganda with two other grassroots organizations in the area as a Health Educator. The first two months of my experience I worked in several different remote communities "Educating Educators" on how to provide health education, limit the transmission of disease and promote overall health. The last month I worked throughout the same 4 community groups on rotation. Through these experiences I learned about being an effective educator in a culturally diverse population, worked with hard-working grassroots organizations, and gained a thorough understanding of the culture, people, food, travel, and problems of Uganda. I consider this experience the most rewarding learning experience of my life and would 10/10 participate in any program as wonderful as The Real Uganda.