VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Uganda is a very welcoming country with a lot of nice people so the volunteers will benefit from the hospitality.
Uganda is also known for its vast culture, the Volunteer’s will be able to learn the new way of life, taste our local food and learn new languages.

We shall also offer a descent accommodation, with full electricity, reliable internet and running water to them.

And they will be given time to go on paid safaris whenever we can maybe on weekends at there free will, they can as well attend local events like music shows, weddings mostly traditional marriages so that they can learn more about our culture and believes.

HELP

We require help from experienced people who are passionate about humanitarian and development work in the field of Agriculture & Livelihoods, Health & Nutrition, Basic Education, Environment & Conservation, Institutional Strengthening, art and craft and other areas.

1. Content Creation:

• Write and upload articles, success stories, project updates, and blog posts to keep the website dynamic and engaging.
• Create multimedia content such as videos, photo galleries, and infographics to showcase Agrifund’s work and impact.

2. Website Management:

• Regularly update the website’s design and layout to ensure it is user-friendly and visually appealing.
• Manage the backend of the website, ensuring all plugins and software are up to date.

3. SEO Optimization:

• Implement search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to increase website traffic and visibility.
• Conduct keyword research and optimize website content accordingly.

4. Online Fundraising Campaigns:

• Develop and launch online fundraising campaigns to support Agrifund’s projects.
• Create donation pages and ensure secure payment gateways are in place.

5. Volunteer and Event Coordination:

• Update the website with information on volunteer opportunities and upcoming events.
• Manage event registrations and provide necessary details to interested participants.

1. Conduct Training Workshops:

• Organize and facilitate workshops on modern farming techniques, crop diversification, pest management, and organic farming practices.
• Share knowledge on sustainable agricultural practices to increase productivity and income for smallholder farmers.

2. Field Demonstrations:

• Lead practical field demonstrations on the use of agricultural machinery and tools.
• Implement demonstration plots for best practice sharing.

3. Market Linkages:

• Help establish connections between farmers and local or international markets.
• Assist in setting up and managing farmer cooperatives to improve bargaining power and market access.

4. Microfinance Support:

• Provide training on financial literacy and management.
• Support the development and implementation of microfinance schemes tailored for smallholder farmers.

1. Community Education Programs:

• Conduct awareness campaigns on the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable resource management.
• Organize educational workshops on waste management, recycling, and reforestation.

2. Tree Planting Initiatives:

• Coordinate and participate in tree planting activities to combat deforestation and promote biodiversity.
• Establish nurseries for native tree species and manage their distribution.

3. Wildlife Conservation Projects:

• Assist in the development and execution of wildlife conservation projects, including habitat restoration and protection initiatives.
• Work with local communities to promote conservation-friendly practices.

4. Environmental Monitoring:

• Conduct environmental impact assessments and monitor conservation projects.
• Collect and analyze data on local ecosystems and biodiversity.

1. Health Education Workshops:

• Deliver workshops on hygiene, sanitation, disease prevention, and reproductive health.
• Provide nutrition education, focusing on balanced diets and the importance of vitamins and minerals.

2. Medical Camps:

• Organize and assist in medical camps providing basic healthcare services, screenings, and vaccinations.
• Work alongside local healthcare providers to offer support and training.

3. Community Kitchen Gardens:

• Establish and maintain community gardens to promote access to fresh, nutritious food.
• Teach gardening techniques and the benefits of growing and consuming vegetables.

4. Mother and Child Health Programs:

• Support maternal and child health programs, including prenatal and postnatal care education.
• Facilitate workshops on breastfeeding, infant nutrition, and early childhood development.

1. Teaching Assistance:

• Assist local teachers in classrooms, providing additional support in subjects such as mathematics, science, and languages.
• Conduct extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, and crafts to enhance student engagement.

2. Educational Resource Development:

• Help create and distribute educational materials, including lesson plans, textbooks, and digital resources.
• Develop interactive learning tools and games to promote active learning.

3. ECD Program Support:

• Assist in early childhood development centers by engaging in play-based learning activities.
• Train local caregivers and educators on best practices in early childhood education.

4. Literacy Campaigns:

• Organize literacy drives to improve reading and writing skills among children and adults.
• Set up community libraries and reading clubs to foster a culture of reading.

1. Capacity Building Workshops:

• Conduct workshops on project management, strategic planning, and organizational development for local NGOs and community organizations.
• Provide training on grant writing, fundraising, and donor engagement.

2. Systems and Processes Improvement:

• Help design and implement efficient administrative and operational systems.
• Develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress and impact.

3. Technology Integration:

• Assist in the introduction and utilization of digital tools and technologies to streamline operations.
• Provide training on software applications for data management and communication.

4. Governance and Leadership Training:

• Offer workshops on good governance practices, leadership skills, and ethical decision-making.
• Support the development of policies and procedures that enhance organizational transparency and accountability.

We shall offer a descent and shared accommodation within Agrifund Guest House located in Soroti City about 292 kilometres from Kampala. The visitors will have their own room to sleep in, free bed, good mattress and a mosquito net with running hot water in the bathroom for bathing, full electricity for light, charging etc and good WIFI connection for communication. Each volunteer is expected contribute 190 USD per month  (45.7 USD per week) to cater for Utility bills, laundry, paying housekeeper and 50% of the money is ploughed back to support the vulnerable community

Food
We do not provided food for Volunteers; however, Volunteers may organize themselves for breakfast, Lunch, dinners are often cooked by the housekeeper in rotation with the volunteers, our kitchen is well equipped to serve you. You shall enjoy simple and authentic dishes, everything that you will taste comes from our land. Ugandan cuisine is keen to vegetarian palates, nevertheless if you have any specific allergies, please let us know. If you desire special meals, it’s up to

Safety

The accommodation is located at the heart Soroti City; therefore, CCTV Cameras and security guard are operative 24/7h. You will understand that safety is a matter of perception, people will wave at you and often ask about your day, but rest mindful of your surroundings. If you want to go around during the night it is safer to do it in a group, you can always contact Michael.

Internet.
Currently we have Wi-Fi at the accommodation. However, Volunteers are advised to purchase a Ugandan SIM card with an internet bundle. There are different providers of SIM cards with internet bundles and minutes but MTN and Airtel are most common.

You can purchase a SIM card upon arrival in Entebbe or Kampala, but there are also possibilities in Soroti City. A SIM card including registration free will cost you around 20000 UGX (5,30 USD; 5 EUR). The Ugandan mobile system works with mobile money that you put on your phone as if it were a mobile wallet. Mobile money can be used to buy internet bundles, to call or to send messages and it’s also possible to withdraw or transfer money through your phone.

In general, a monthly 20GB internet bundle will cost you 50000 UGX (13,30 USD; 12,50 EUR). In Soroti City there are some internet cafes to be found, or if you want to relax while browsing, you can order a coffee in a hotel with Wi-Fi zone.

WHAT ELSE …

Market.
You can find fresh fruits and veggies for your breakfast right next to the accommodation.
You will understand that it is best to ask first for the price and compare it to our table, because it might happen that you can be charged a tourist price. (Mzungu price)

Pineapple: between 2000/3000 UGX (0,70 EUR; 0,80 USD)

Avocado: 1 CAD 500 UGX (0,12 EUR; 0,13 USD)

4 Tomatoes: 1000 UGX (0,25 EUR; 0,26 USD)

Bananas: 2000 / 5000 UGX (depending on the quantity) (0,50/1,25 EUR; 0,53/1,3 USD)

Supermarket.
There are several small supermarkets in Soroti City, where you can find everything, you need: soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, food, water, soda, toilet paper, sunblock (!), etc. Prices are generally low except for Western products.

Restaurants.

There are good restaurants to be found in Soroti City, serving traditional food or Western food. You will find a plate of pasta bolognaise for 12000 UGX (3,26 USD; 2,88 EUR), a club sandwich with chips for 15000 UGX (4 USD, 3,60 EUR), a big milkshake for 11000 UXG (2,99 USD; 2,64 EUR) and a refreshing fruit juice or a cold 0.66 Nile beer for 4000 UXG (0,82 USD; 0,72 EUR).

Transport.
There are different ways of traveling from one place to another in Uganda. In Kampala you most likely use Uber and Boda-boda. A boda-boda is a motorcycle that functions as a taxi, carrying up to 3 people. It is often a pleasant ride with the possibility of observing the environment with a cooling breeze in your hair. When in Kampala, we suggest downloading the application “SafeBoda”, you can book your Boda and travel around the city safely. When you are in smaller City like Soroti , we advise you to establish the price before hopping on the bike so as to avoid ugly discussions. With time you will understand the pricing system and how to deal with boda-boda drivers.

Airport Transfer (Entebbe International Airport).

We will provide transportation for you upon your arrival at the airport as well as for your departure. This service ensures a smooth and stress-free transition to and from our location. The total fee for both the airport pickup and drop-off is 160 USD. This fee covers the cost of fuel and includes provisions for any unforeseen emergencies, such as unexpected vehicle breakdowns. Our goal is to ensure your comfort and safety throughout your journey with us.

Buses:
Kampala → Soroti: 35000 UXG (11,27 EUR; 11,94 USD)

Soroti → Mbale: 10000 UXG

Leisure.

There are many tourist attractions in the Pearl of Africa. Examples of the activities that you can fill your free time with are visiting the several national parks, hiking and trekking in the Rwenzori mountains, relaxing in the natural hot springs or visiting the crater lakes.

We can help you to organize your safari, where you can stay astonished by the beauty of several animals (from elephants to lions).

you can truly find different activities to fulfill your free-time and we will be happy to help you to spend an unforgettable time in the Pearl of Africa

Visa.
Volunteers are recommended to apply and pay online for the visa they want to obtain. On the website of the government of Uganda you can find information about the different visas, requirements and costs. For a three-month single-entry visa, you’ll have to attach a copy of your passport, a recent passport size photograph and a copy of the yellow fever page of your vaccination booklet. The three-month tourist visa costs 50 USD. Other visa possibilities include among others, a multiple entry visa and an East Africa visa (Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya). At the airport in Entebbe, they will ask you for proof of yellow fever vaccination, sometimes a cholera non-indicated stamp, and for your printed approval of visa application.

Feel free to ask us for any further information/help.

Diseases/ Health.

The malaria mosquito is alive and buzzing around from sunset to sunrise, so Volunteers are advised to bring enough anti-repellent with DEET. In this area there are not so many mosquitos, but it will depend mostly on the season, but better safe than sorry.

If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to contact us.

You might want to bring your own mosquito net if you are planning to travel around. Regarding other diseases, volunteers are advised to contact the vaccination center in their home country.
Soroti City is provided with numerous pharmacies that work efficiently and where you might find top quality medicine to cure specific diseases, such as malaria. Nevertheless, the hospital and the clinic where Michael works is just 20 minutes walking distance, so if you need anything you can always go there.
Clothing.
Many travellers ask what clothes they are supposed to bring to Uganda. Of course, it depends on what you’re most comfortable in. However, do not think that because this is Africa you needn’t bring anything fashionable. People in Uganda dress very well! Colorful dresses, good jeans, branded shirts, shining shoes; Ugandans like to look good. It’s possible to wear short clothing like skirts, dresses and shorts, just leave your sexy hot pants home. At the accommodation, you’ll probably want to wear thin, short clothing and flip-flops. Keep in mind that items are cheaper here and that you can even have your custom clothing tailored here. You will pick a fabric and explain or even draw what you would like to have (jumpsuit, trousers, jacket) and voila: your personal design clothing.

How many Volunteers can stay

We accommodate a maximum of six volunteers at any given time. However, we also welcome families to stay with us when needed. Our Agrifund Guest House features two fully furnished apartments, providing a comfortable and homely environment for both individual volunteers and families. Each apartment is equipped with all the necessary amenities to ensure a pleasant and convenient stay, making it an ideal setting for volunteers and their loved ones to experience and contribute to our mission together.

Ensuring Safety and Impact

At present, we are accepting volunteers exclusively for our programs in Uganda. Due to the ongoing conflicts and the unstable conditions in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we are unable to host volunteers in these regions. The safety and well-being of our volunteers are our top priority, and the current circumstances in South Sudan and the DRC do not allow us to ensure a secure environment. By focusing on our programs in Uganda, we can provide a meaningful and impactful experience while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security for all our volunteers.