Footprint Volunteer Uganda November 6, 2023 No Comments

INTERNSHIP & VOLUNTEERING IN UGANDA 2024/2025

Volunteering in Uganda during your internship holidays – A chance to impact lives while building your career.

Are you looking for internship and volunteer programs in Uganda? Look no further, here is everything that you must know about internship in Uganda. In this article, you will understand what doing your internship or volunteer program in Uganda means. You will also get an insight into the country’s need for volunteers and interns for economic and social transformation.

Know about Uganda

Located in the Eastern part of Africa is Uganda – the Pearl of Africa. The climate and geography of this nation have been a blessing to the natives. Uganda is one of the countries in Africa that were colonized by the British during the colonial days. She gained her independence in 1962 on the 9th of October. Since then, Uganda has been through thick and thin – from political wars to restoration of peace, fighting poverty, and then economic transformation up to where she is now. For about three decades, Uganda has registered tremendous success in terms of growth and development. This is evidenced by steady population growth to about 49,029,364 people in 2022.

Irrespective of Uganda’s achievements, she is still battling with problems such as HIV/AIDS, drought in some parts of the country, high mortality rates, to mention, domestic violence, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), and of course the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic effects. This is the reason why Uganda needs as many intern volunteers as possible. Their innovation and creativity can be transferred to the vulnerable communities in Uganda and hence have an impact on growth and development.

In this guide, we are highlighting the guidelines that one should put into consideration before choosing which country or organization they are to volunteer with or do their internship.

Who is an intern volunteer?

An intern volunteer is a person who unconditionally sets out to identify with and participate in the work of an organization like Foot Print Volunteering Uganda through for the love, interest passion, and commitment to the work without expecting any financial or material reward. Material rewards, if they come, should be incidental to and not the primary motivation of the organization they are volunteering for. Usually, intern volunteers are students who are looking forward to finalizing their studies at a University or College. They usually use this opportunity to get introduced to the world of real work and hence apply the knowledge and skills acquired from their institutions of learning. Depending on one’s qualifications, the assignments given to Intern Volunteers relate to the Organization’s strategic activities or administrative and technical functions.

Internship volunteering as a response to Uganda’s call

 Uganda has communities that need your services as intern volunteers both in the rural and urban areas. When you visit many orphanages like one under the Love Uganda Foundation, you will realize that there is a need for more volunteers in Uganda. In such a home, children who have been dumped on the streets are being taken care of. The only source of income for the sustainability of such a project is donations from child sponsors. It is true that the children are more than the sponsors meaning that there is more need for improvising.

Remember, that is just one orphanage out of thousands of them across Uganda. I have not talked about the number of cancer patients who are stuck in hospitals, teenage mothers on the streets of Kampala, the people of Karamoja who have been hit by famine and drought, and the refugees in the many refugee camps all over Uganda.

In regard to this, what you see as little service to you might be the only turning point for a street child in Uganda. Why sit on that construction skill yet some widows in Uganda live under ramshackle houses? Don’t you think you are doing someone a disservice?

Having that at the back of your mind, do not forget that many organizations in Uganda are open to volunteers from different parts of the world to come and render their services to the vulnerable communities in Uganda for the betterment of our future. The time is now, you do not have to wait anymore.

To Volunteer with Foot Print Volunteering Uganda, Click here 

 What to put into consideration before making the decision to do your internship in Uganda

Volunteering experience helps students

 Before you make your internship volunteering choices, there are quite a number of questions you have to answer. The questions regarding when, where, and with whom are most important during your volunteering choices.

For countries like Uganda, there are many organizations and fields one can volunteer in. However, all give a different internship and volunteer experience.

Below are a few guidelines that may act as a starting point while making your volunteer internship choices.

  1. Purpose of Volunteering

The question of why are you embarking on that volunteer/internship project is very important otherwise you might get a nightmare. In answering this question, you should evaluate your own reasons in comparison with the reasons of the organization and the program you intend to do your internship volunteering with.

It does not make sense for a doctor to volunteer in a construction department when the hospitals needs them most. Such a scenario comes when the question regarding the purpose of volunteering is not fully attended to. Most of the organizations in Uganda usually specify the purpose of their internship programs in their advertisements.

  1. Eligibility required by the program/volunteer organization

Different Organizations require eligible volunteers, those that will fit in the communities and the programs they are to volunteer in.

Age:  Most of the projects require youth aged 19 years to about 40 years. These are the ones who are flexible and can fit in a dynamic environment.
Academic qualifications and fields of interest: Internships are usually reserved for students who have completed their first degree or those pursuing their postgraduate degree program (second university degree or higher) or technical/professional studies. However, there are some projects that demand more social skills than professional skills. This is why the applications are always open to all applicants.
Languages: Excellent spoken and written knowledge of English are the most common language requirements in Uganda. This is because English is the official language used in Uganda. You should bear in mind that most of the vulnerable communities in Uganda use local languages. This is why you should learn some words in the Ugandan local languages before embarking on a volunteering safari to Uganda.

Computer skills: Computers are the shape of this generation and their use in Uganda increases now and then. It is therefore important to have some basic computer skills such as the Use of Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, etc.
Availability: It is important for you to know how much time the volunteer project is likely to require your services as well as how long you will be there. This will give you an opportunity to plan your stay in Uganda in regard to visa and passport acquisition. It is so bad to realize that you overstayed simply because of volunteering or you will have to leave earlier because your visa expired.

4. Check for who is recruiting Volunteers and the process of recruitment.

It is equally important to check for the organizations that are recruiting volunteers at a given period of time and in a given area. Most of the volunteers in Uganda are hired on a “Personal wish” criterion. Volunteers volunteer to Volunteer and just send in their applications. Sometimes it is based on a “First Come first served” basis. It is not a guarantee that you will be rendered an internship placement upon your application. Usually, organizations state boldly that “Only qualified candidates will be contacted” This is why you should try more than one organization while looking for an internship or volunteer placement.

  1. Check for the terms and Conditions of services /Contract or agreement

Most organizations require that volunteers work on their terms and conditions, do not be overshadowed by them and you be oppressed. Volunteers/interns have rights for example you have the right to say NO or YES to things that are not in line with your expectations.

It is important to sign a contract before starting your internship or volunteer work. This acts as a check and balance tool for you and the organization you are working with.

  1. Check for Remuneration

Check whether the organization will provide remuneration such as food, transport, allowances, medical insurance, and accommodation. Remuneration here does not mean salary. Below are some of the common remuneration terms and conditions;

  1. The organization does not remunerate or pay Interns/Volunteers.
  2. Costs and arrangements for travel, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of Interns/Volunteers or their sponsoring institutions.
  3. The Organization accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of interns/volunteers or for costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship.
  4. Interns / Volunteers are fully responsible for arranging at their own expense health and other forms of insurance covering the period of internship with the Organization.

The Interns/Volunteers shall during the period of internship respect the agreed working hours and observe the norms required of staff of the Organization which may include;

  1. Conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting their status as public servants.
  2. Not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the proper discharge of their duties with the organization.
  3. Avoid any action and in particular any public pronouncement which may adversely reflect the integrity required of them.
  4. Exercise discretion in regard to all matters of official business and shall not communicate to any person unpublished information known to them by reason of their position except in the course of their duties or by authorization of their supervisors.
  5. Interns are expected to respect the confidentiality of information collected or received within the organization.
  6. No reports or papers may be published based on the function obtained within the organization without written official authorization.
Benefits to the Intern/Volunteer
  1. Self-motivation.
  2. Exposure/experience and expansion.
  3. Satisfaction and participation.
  4. Contacts and networking.
  5. Learning and training.
  6. Guidance.
  7. Intellectual understanding.
  8. Responsibility.
  9. Assessment and evaluation
Benefits to the organization
  • Extra working capacity in daily work
  • A participant in planning and implementation of projects
    Participate in the assessment/ evaluation of reports and analysis
    Contribute ideas and solutions to working team(s)
Benefits to society
  • The community or society should also have a common benefit:-
  • Good citizenship among its young people, responsibility voluntarism, and resource development.

We believe that at this point you are just one step closer to your internship volunteering in Uganda. All you need is to make the right choice of Organization. Then start your journey of impacting the future generation.

Challenges faced while Volunteering in Uganda
Footprint Volunteer Uganda September 19, 2023 No Comments

CHALLENGES OF VOLUNTEERING IN UGANDA

Knowing the Challenges of Volunteering in Uganda for a Greater Experience

Like the saying goes “Everything that has an advantage, has a disadvantage as well” Volunteering is not an exception. From our interaction with our dear volunteers and the experience gained from the past years, we have realized that, much as the positive results of volunteering outweigh the negative ones. We believe that availing you with the information about the challenges of Volunteering especially in countries like Uganda will do more good than harm. This is not only on the side of the volunteers but also on that of the communities and the organizations in which the volunteers render their services.

We believe that having the knowledge of the bad side of volunteering will not stop anyone from their desire to volunteer. It will rather help you gain a better understanding of the concept. This will help you come when you are prepared for the best way to deal with the challenge.

 What are the major challenges of Volunteering in Uganda – on the side of the Volunteer?

  1. Volunteering means getting out of your comfort zone
  2. Volunteering usually comes with a hard-to-break emotional attachment
  3. The new environment may not be friendly
  4. Getting exhausted while at work
  5. Poor Communication due to language barrier
  6. Finishing your volunteer time and coming home
  7. Undervalued Positions

Volunteers tend to find challenges that are social, economic, and psychological in nature and these include among others but are not limited to the following;

  • Volunteering means getting out of your comfort zone

Challenges of Volunteering in Uganda

Making a choice to volunteer especially outside your own country is not a national anthem that everybody can sing. It is something that requires commitment emotionally and physically. Many volunteers with whom we have shared stories talk about how difficult the choice can be. This is simply because of the requirement to get out of one’s comfort zone if they are to volunteer.

Naturally, human beings tend to avoid activities that demand a lot of time and full attention from them. But the beauty of this is that those who get out of their comfort zones and volunteer are the ones who gain a better and more diverse experience that lasts as long as they live.

If you have been thinking about volunteering in Uganda and maybe have been discouraged by a friend or a relative, it is better you come and see things for yourself. Usually people like talking about the negative side of the coin and ignore the positive one. When you finally decide to volunteer. You will see for yourself and make up your own mind. Trust me, you will be so grateful for the charity organization to have given you this opportunity to work in such incredible communities and thus gain more knowledge and experience.

  • Volunteering usually comes with a hard-to-break emotional attachment

 Since volunteering in Uganda usually involves working in vulnerable communities, it usually comes with a strong emotional attachment in the end. Imagine volunteering in an orphanage such as Love Uganda Foundation Orphanage in Kalaji–Mukono, the kids have emotional stories but seeing them smile because of your services can result in getting strongly emotionally attached. In the event that you do not have time to extend your volunteering period, you will end up feeling hurt when bidding farewell to them.

The attachment can also come from friends that you make during your volunteer period in Uganda. Imagine the person who offered you a bottle of water the first time you arrived in Uganda. There is that guide who has been translating for you so that you can communicate with the local members of the communities in which you have been volunteering. All that comes

However, emotions are a normal part of human life and you should therefore not be discouraged to come and your services in such projects.

  • The new environment may not be friendly

The other common challenge associated with volunteering is the negative effects of changing the environment. This affects both socially and emotionally. Sometimes you are required to leave your families and loved ones behind and go volunteering. This means no more movie nights on Fridays or Weekends at the theatre or watching football.

To some people, a changing environment may result in allergies, food poisoning, malaria, and nausea, to mention but a few. Some parts of Uganda are dusty while others are muddy depending on the season. Some volunteers might not be used to all-day sunshine and hence find it a challenge during their volunteering period.

  • Getting exhausted while at work

Volunteering

Volunteers in Uganda fetching water with children

Usually, volunteer jobs in Uganda are more physical than mental. The common ones include the construction of houses, schools, water sources like boreholes, and teaching, to point out just a few. All these activities require some degree of physical strength and a lot of energy. If you have not been used to such, adapting can be challenging.

This is why we advise you to carefully understand the project and the nature of the job you will be doing before making your way to Uganda. It is equally important to read the job description before requesting for the opportunity to volunteer.

  • Poor Communication due to language barrier

Traveling to a new country for volunteering means interacting with different people speaking different languages. Uganda has over 40 tribes each speaking a different language with the official language being English followed by Kiswahili and then Luganda.

In deeper parts of the country, it might be difficult for you to find a single person speaking the language that you know especially if it is not English.

Working in such communities requires you to have the knowledge of the basic words in the local languages otherwise life can be difficult for you. Learn to be patient, listen, and try to learn the local language. By doing this small gesture, you will make the local staff feel important and happy.

This should as well not be a big scare and sit on your passion to volunteer in Uganda. Most of the organizations attach foreign volunteers to projects that have locals who speak their languages.

  • Undervalued Positions

Irrespective of how much work volunteers do, they are usually considered to be doing less than what they are supposed to be doing.

Society feels that volunteers do not give enough as they are not paid. Some feel like they better have two paid employees than have a single volunteer. This is not 100% true as we have seen the work of volunteers in the past.

What are the major challenges of Volunteering in Uganda – on the side of the organization or community?

While volunteers face quite a number of challenges as some have been discussed above, the communities and the organizations in which volunteers offer their services equally face multiple challenges. Below is a glimpse of what they go through;

  • Few Resources

Organizations face the challenge of inadequate resources to facilitate volunteers alongside running the organizational day-to-day needs. It should be noted that the majority of the organizations get their funding from donors and a little volunteer fees. They face challenges with accommodation and food for volunteers especially when the numbers are high.

The common thread in all of these challenges is a lack of a dedicated volunteer manager position. Some organizations, especially those that serve a large audience and draw high numbers of volunteers, do employ a person or persons whose sole job is to maintain an effective volunteer program.

  • Recruitment

Recruiting volunteers is not an easy process as well. It is much like the recruitment of other employees. Once the organization does not have a well-financed human resources budget, they may experience a real nightmare.

It is important for organizations to plan according. This ensures that that the Volunteer fees collected from volunteers are enough to sustain their stay during their period of volunteering. Encouraging your existing volunteers to recruit their friends and family is another popular strategy. Simply ask them if you know anyone who has the time, energy, and inclination to get involved and you should get some great referrals.

  • Volunteer Retention

Organizations in Uganda usually want to retain excellent performing volunteers and end up luring themselves into a financial trap.  Poor planning may cause  volunteer management challenges

Additionally, volunteers who are to be retained ask for quite a bigger amount of remuneration which organizations may not afford. The organizations end up giving up on volunteers.

The best solution here is for volunteers and their organizations to reach an agreement that is mutual so that no one feels like they are being cheated.

  • Limited time offered by Volunteers

Unlike the scenarios where organizations do not have enough money to retain volunteers, in this case, it is volunteers who do not have time to dedicate to the organizations. They find it so challenging and go back home in the shortest time possible. There are some volunteers who perform far better than the permanent employees. This implies that the organization will miss theory services for the rest of their lives.

  • Difficulty in balancing Cultures since volunteers come from different parts of the world.

Diversity in cultures can tend to be a problem for volunteer organizations and communities as well. Volunteers from different parts of the world become difficult to manage in terms of their ways of life. While this one likes this type of food, the other one does not like it. This becomes a great challenge especially if they are to work in the same place.

In conclusion therefore, there are challenges faced while Volunteering in Uganda, however, these challenges have solutions. Knowing a disease is being half cured. Now that you have known the challenges faced while Volunteering in Uganda, find the right organization and start your journey. Become a Volunteer Now. 

christian volunteer program
Footprint Volunteer Uganda October 25, 2021 No Comments

CHRISTIAN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM IN UGANDA

 

Uganda is a gifted country located in East Africa. It is known as the pearl of Africa covered with water and green vegetation. The mountains, the lakes in the country for example lake victoria, lake Albert, and lack kyoga. Uganda is a land-locked country. But that does not stop visitors from coming around to enjoy the natural breathtaking beaches on the lakesides. Uganda has a tropical climate because of its location on the equator and it has wet and dry seasons. Christian volunteer program in Uganda allows volunteers that come to Uganda can enjoy the cool breeze around the lakes and mountains and also tour around the country.

Christian volunteer program in Uganda creates so many questions that come into your mind on why you could choose to volunteer in Uganda. But your questions are answered below.

When you choose to volunteer in Uganda you are building a community through service delivery.  You will be able to eat with the people in the community, work together which unites people towards a common good. When volunteering, you can untie with students, teachers, and community members. This will show you there is little or no difference between you and community members that may set you apart.

You will be able to learn the old fashion way of trade that’s to say people still use hand hoes to dig despite the introduction of farming machines and also fetching water from a well.

Uganda is gifted with people who always have something new all the time. They will ask you your names, what you do in terms of your job, your life experiences, and what inspired you to come to Uganda to volunteer and you will also be able to know more about the people here.

Volunteering in Uganda gives you a free ticket to tour around beautiful places like Jinja where the adventure starts from the shores of the River Nile. You will get to play games like bungee jumping, ATV riding, and zip-lining to white water rafting.

You will also get to taste the true organic foods of Uganda. Such as fruits and vegetables straight from the gardens to the table, chicken that lays eggs, sweet fresh juice made locally not from machines that are a grantee, you will not be disappointed at all.

Volunteering will make your way to your childhood life.

When did you last be a child, you will be able to play football and netball, sing children’s songs and dance with them and also get to tell stories of your childhood to the children. You will understand what they mean when they say being around kids is fun and restores joy to your heart.

Uganda is a gifted country due to its wildlife at Murchison falls located in Lolim, Masindi. When you choose to take a safari, you will be able to see the gazelle, giraffes, elephants, and also a chance to see a lion.  You will get a chance to move on the water to see the crocodiles and the hippos, the breathtaking landscape at the view of Murchison falls and a powerful flow of water at the Nile River which the tour guide will take you through.

Uganda has got several volunteering programs that help the vulnerable children

Volunteer in teaching is a program that involves teaching orphaned children, street children, and vulnerable children in rural areas. You can teach the children English to improve on writing and reading English words. And also other subjects like math hence helping in educating a child.

HIV/AID is a problem in Uganda as the numbers of those who are sick are rising as days go by. So HIV/AIDs has become a program or project to volunteer in too. Every day parents and children are affected by the disease and many die. So the volunteer is allowed to deliver educational programs, training, and other activities. These are to help those suffering from it. The volunteer will offer support in terms of giving encouraging words, treatment informs of ARVs to the patients. And also psychological support through guidance and counseling to the patients of HIV. And help create awareness to the population on ways how to protect themselves from the disease. To those who already have the disease not to spread it to other people.

The community development program;

involves developing communities through empowering women and youth in the community. This is through giving them skills on how to work and reduce poverty in their households. For example, tailoring of clothes, agricultural skills. And how to run and manage the business. The basic hygiene and health care of their bodies. The best way is to educate the girl child so that they receive equal opportunities with men.

Child care /orphanage program; this program runs around child development, showing love to orphanages. This is by providing for them in so many ways that are to say education where volunteers can sponsor or donate for the education of the child. Teach them ways how they can clean themselves, take drugs in case they are sick, and also prepare meals for them to eat. Hence making them feel loved and also showing them that somebody cares for them.

Health care programs, this is to cater to the health of the people, children in the community. The opportunity is for medical persons. These will work in both public and community hospitals to offer needed assistance to doctors. And financially unstable patients. There are so many people in Uganda who are suffering from curable diseases. But this is due to inadequate healthcare professionals, hospitals, and also money to fund the treatment. And this will give a valuable medical experience that will benefit one greatly in the future.

In conclusion, the Christian volunteer programs in Uganda should work towards improving the lives of vulnerable children, orphans, and street children and also develop more volunteer opportunities to attract more volunteers to come into the country to offer their support in communities. Let Footprint Volunteering in Uganda take you through your volunteering process.

 

community empowerment
Footprint Volunteer Uganda October 20, 2021 No Comments

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

A community empowerment program refers to a process of enabling communities to increase control over their lives.  Community development is the process by which community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to problems.

Community empowerment programs aim at empowering individuals and groups of people.  They provide them with skills that can bring about change in their communities.

Community empowerment looks at the social, cultural, political, and economic determinants. The program calls for the participation and engagement of communities.

Examples of community empowerment programs

Youth camps; are formed to equip youth with skills to start up their jobs. They are trained in competitive software development, web literacy skills, and digital. Youth also acquire skills on communication and presentation skills, advising counseling, leadership, and teamwork. This helps the youth to go away from the criminal and poverty life to the life of productive occupation.

The educational community empowerment program looks at both formal and vocational training for the people in the community. Youth and women are equipped with vocational entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy that helps them to develop the communities and their careers.

Peer counseling is one-on-one interaction between members of a group who have so many things in common. There is active listening where complete attention is given to what someone is saying and responds without judgment. Peers can talk about their feelings, explore their issues and help them find solutions. This helps them acquire skills in active listening and problem-solving in real life.

Career guidance; looks at giving people comprehensively, developmental programs that are to assist in making and implementing informed educational and occupational choices. This helps the students and parents with the knowledge to explore different career options.

Impact of community empowerment programs on people

The power lays within the person and not the professionals or services when empowered.  So below are the impacts of community empowerment programs.

Community empowerment programs bring about the academic engagement of the people in the communities. This includes activities of collaborative research with industry, contract research, consulting, and informal ties. Volunteer programs and community-service requirements like engaging students in public services, community organizing, and advocacy and will help people to develop skills in their careers.

Secondly, empowerment of people in the communities especially women and youth in the communities; enables the woman to acquire skills to contribute to the workforce and be able to raise the children healthier and happy.

Community empowerment programs

call for the civic engagement of citizens in the community. For example, participating in group activities. voting, and volunteering. furthermore, these can be political or non-political processes. Either paid or unpaid forms of community and national service, environmentalism, and many more.

It creates leadership and teamwork skills in people. People get skills like self-development, team development, strategic thinking and acting, ethical practice and civic-mindedness, and innovation. Teamwork helps to lead to greater productivity hence reaching goals and accomplishing them. They can join their strength and weakness hence leading to development.

This leads to personal and social development in community people. Personal development involves how people understand themselves concerning their interactions with others. This will help one grow and develop. Social development is about improving the well-being of individuals to their full potential in society. The person should be able to manage feelings and impulses to learn and grow.

This also creates a sense of self-worth in a person. As it helps a person to value him or herself. And encourages one to try out new things, meet new people and also enjoy your life. This enables one to believe that you are a good person, not a bad person and you deserve good things in life.

Furthermore,

it helps one to expand their sense of hope. A person gets to understand that no matter how bad the situation may be, there is hope that at some point in life everything will be okay. This helps you keep on pushing through a tough situation to make it through to a better future.

Helps one to have empathy and compassion for others; one can feel the pain of the other person and be able to understand what they are feeling. Therefore this also enables one to help those who are going through tough conditions in life.

In a nutshell, community empowerment programs aim at developing communities and people living there. To ensure that communities are developed the government and non-profit organizations should work hand in hand

financial specialist
Footprint Volunteer Uganda October 18, 2021 No Comments

Volunteering as a financial specialist

In Matthew 5:16 it says “in the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.” A financial specialist refers to a person responsible for the financial management in the organization, or business. There is a lot in volunteering as a financial specialist in a Non-governmental organization you are to focus on promoting collaborative processes, client-focused, quality, and results-oriented approaches in an organization where he or she is volunteering. Volunteers will give advice and support the projects in an organization.

The people who volunteer as financial specialists have to have some qualifications. People who take up this program have a degree in finance, accounting, economics, finance, and public administration.

The financial specialist will do the activities below when you choose to volunteer.

Volunteering as a financial specialist you are to manage projects of the organization through financial analysis. And oversight of all the resources used on the project. This is to ensure proper managing and monitoring of resources in an organization.

The financial specialist will carry out proper planning, tracking expenditure of financial resources basing on the rules and regulations of an organization. This is to help the organization spend on the required activities to ensure growth and development in organization.

The volunteer will track and report to the management on the key financial performance indicators in an organization. This will help managers know where they have reached the set goals.

The volunteer will also set up or establish financial procedures in place. For example receipts, payments, disbursements and bookkeeping, filing procedures for the project. This helps one to keep track of how much was spent on what project and how the money was managed.

Volunteering as a financial specialist you are to ensure that all the financial procedures are in place. And comply with the financial or accounting and procurement requirements of the organization. This helps to create a connection between the financial procedures used in an organization.

The volunteer will continuously analyze and monitor the forecast presentation for projects and also the financial situation in an organization. In addition, the volunteer will also oversee the transparency of the financial processes and find out how the use of funds and the compliance with the organization’s financial guidelines.

The volunteer will carry out routine monitoring of the financial exception reports for unusual activities, transitions. Also, the volunteer will inform supervisors of the results got from the investigation with satisfactory answers obtained.

The volunteer will manage all financial resources through preparing and monitoring project budgets develop proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management. In addition, the volunteer should ensure that the payment information is recorded properly into the system timely.

The volunteer has to ensure proper project cash management and focusing on achieving timely review of cash position for projects and preparation of monthly cash flow to ensure that sufficient funds are provided.

The financial specialist has to ensure the capacity development of the organization. That’s to say advising and assisting with proper financial management, training of staff members on financial management, and implementation in projects.  The volunteer will also help in reviewing submitted financial documents and provide feedback before processing payments.

To sum it up, volunteering as a financial specialist in any organization is of a good advantage as you can learn new skills; it helps you grow a career, helps in networking as you can grow personal and professional relationships. It also helps a volunteer to gain experience in any career as you can further your knowledge and experience. So come find a volunteer program that you would love with volunteering in Uganda.

successful volunteer program
Footprint Volunteer Uganda October 14, 2021 No Comments

Successful volunteer program

A volunteer program refers to a systematized way of preparing for recruiting, training, supervising, and also thanking volunteers to make it easy for people to volunteer in a nonprofit organization for example at Love Uganda Foundation and Footprint Volunteering  Uganda. The volunteer program aims at reaching out to the various needs of people within our society. And these include; vulnerable people, wildlife, water and environment, Agriculture, human rights. Volunteering involves providing a safe health environment that could accommodate life and any kind of living.

To have a successful community and faith-based organization you have to implement a successful volunteer program the will attract volunteers to come to your organization.  Some of the volunteer programs at Footprint Volunteer Uganda include; Elderly program, Childcare/Orphanage program, Widows program, Disabled program, HIV/AIDS program, Youth program, Water and sanitation, Healthcare program, Human rights, and Community development program.

First, you have to understand the role of volunteers in your organization. This will enable you to form good successful volunteer programs. Below are some of the volunteer roles in an organization.

  • Volunteers in an organization help in the marketing efforts this is through creating posters, setting up events. And updating blogs on the website with information that encourages people to attend.
  • They also help in providing information to the public via phones, emails, or even meet them in person. They answer questions and also provide more information about the cause.
  • Volunteers also provide teamwork in an organization. That is to say, they work with other volunteers on projects to achieve targets. And also help in creating activity plans.
  • They help in motivating others to get involved in the cause at hand. That is to say, encouraging them to donate money or get involved in signing up for fundraising events.
  • Volunteers are good at keeping accurate records of the organization. They are responsible for keeping up-to-date records where necessary and provide reports to the top members of the organization.

What does it take to implement a successful volunteer program? There are several steps that you have to follow to have a successful volunteer program.

First, you have to have a plan so the step is called planning. This involves you to state the mission for example the mission of Footprint volunteer Uganda is “WORK FOR A CAUSE”. And the one of Love Uganda Foundation states that “Giving hope to Orphans, Needy, Vulnerable and Disabled children.” The mission statement helps volunteers to fit into an organization. It also helps the person to make consistent decisions, motivate others and also enhance communication in an organization.

Under planning still you have to know what you are going to use volunteers for in your organization. So of the questions, you ask yourself are:

  • Will the use of volunteers in your organization expand your services. Or will a volunteer program help you to save money?
  • Do you have to find out how the use of volunteers affects the collaborative efforts? Are the partners able to work with volunteers?
  • How will the staff react when the volunteers come around?

You have to be able to explain to your staff; what will be the work of a volunteer, what are your reasons for recruiting volunteers? And you have to be to create healthy teamwork between the paid and unpaid staff.

Secondly, you have to know how you are going to recruit the volunteers so the second step is recruiting. Volunteer recruitment refers to attracting and inviting people to consider involvement with the organization. Many organizations have less paid staff and more volunteers. People tend to volunteer for an organization that promotes a cause. And they always want to know if their contribution will make a difference. Some of the active particular areas they may which to volunteer are children welfare. And also abuse prevention so you have to assess your image.

In addition, there are so many ways on how to recruit volunteers to your organization that is to say;

  • You can contact the local volunteer center
  • You can also use the current volunteers in an organization. These are the best people to use because they are committed to the organization and believe in it.
  • The organization can also use social media or mass media such as newspapers, newsletters, televisions, radios, and billboards.
  • Registering with volunteer referral organizations
  • Getting referrals from staff, ministers, friends, and religious leaders such as deacons
  • You can make personal appearances at senior centers, career fairs, and other venues or events.

The third step is the training of volunteers in an organization. This involves developing your orientation program. This will help volunteers to see how the volunteer’s position will fit within the context of the organization.

To add to the above, you should assign orientation leaders. Volunteer manager or staff trainer usually conducts orientation. You should ask experienced volunteers to mentor and orient new volunteers. In addition, you should schedule an orientation, develop orientation such as a volunteer handbook, orientation packet, and reference guides. You should introduce the volunteers to the staff and other volunteers.

The fourth step is managing where you will assign a supervisor to a volunteer and regular communication with the volunteer. Evaluating volunteers to see their performance and share the results. This is to show that you care about the volunteers and the quality of their work.

Lastly, evaluating is the last step that calls you to describe your program to the volunteers in the organization let’s say a teaching program or health care program. It also involves designing the evaluation that includes reviewing and documenting the effects of your services and their importance to the community. There is also a collection of data, analyzing data, and report results.

In a nutshell, implementing a successful volunteer program requires a lot of research and paperwork to ensure that the mission, objectives, and goals of an organization are achieved. There are better programs at Footprint volunteering Uganda for volunteers to work in.

 

 

 

volunteer programs in Uganda
Footprint Volunteer Uganda September 16, 2021 3 Comments

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN UGANDA

As Jesus said in John 15:12 “my command is this; Love each other as I have loved you.” Volunteering is showing love to the people.  volunteering is working to help the needy, the less fortunate, and also the vulnerable people at no cost. There are so many areas where one can volunteer in Uganda. Volunteer programs in Uganda give you a chance to open up your mind. And also know what people go through to find solutions for the problem.

When you choose to volunteer in any place, it’s giving it your all. To help develop the people and also the communities where one is from. These include charity works, developing skills for the people, and also empowering people women and youth in the community. Remember it’s not the company to benefit but the community to benefit from the volunteering company.

The list below shows several volunteer programs offered in Uganda to the volunteer.

Health care programs, this is to cater to the health of the people, children in the community. Medical persons will work in public and community hospitals. They are to provide needed assistance to doctors and patients who are financially unstable.

There are so many people in Uganda who are suffering from curable diseases. But due to inadequate healthcare professionals, hospitals, and also money to fund the treatment. The people will get free treatment. This will give a valuable medical experience that will benefit one greatly in the future.

Education program; this is to provide education to the members of the country. Several people are uneducated not because that’s the way they want it. But because they lack funds to pay for schools.

And also lack professional teachers in the rural and poor areas especially those in English teaching. This is in terms of correct use of words, English grammar, writing, and reading and comprehension skills.

Furthermore, the volunteers will work along with the local teachers in the community in delivering the services to children. This will help them improve their vocabulary and speaking of the children.

Hence opening for them a worldwide opportunity for which could change their future. The teaching program calls for creating a playing environment for the children. This helps to enhance the creativity of the children that is through singing, playing games like football, netball too.

HIV/AIDs has become a problem in Uganda. The number of those who are sick is rising as days go by. So HIV/AIDs has become a program or project to volunteer in too. The disease affects and kills both parents and children. So the volunteer under this program will deliver educational programs, training, and other activities. This is to help those suffering from it.

The volunteer will offer support in terms of giving encouraging words, treatment informs of ARVs to the patients. Also psychological support through guidance and counseling to the patients of HIV. As well as creating awareness to the population on ways how to protect themselves from the disease. Those who already have the disease do not spread it to other people.

The community development program is also a big shot for volunteering. This involves developing communities through empowering women and youth in the community. This is through giving them skills on how to work and reduce poverty in their households.

For example, women are taught how to do tailoring of clothes, agricultural skills. And how to run and manage the business. Women are taught basic hygiene and health care of their bodies. In addition, the best way is to educate the girl child so that they receive equal opportunities with men.

Furthermore, youth empowerment is also key to community development. Many youths in Uganda are unemployed and less educated. They lack the skills to either work in companies or start up a business of their own. This can be helped by advising the youth to take part in the development of projects. Youth advisory programs, and also elementary and high school clubs would help them develop skills.

Child care /orphanage program; this program runs around child development. Showing love to orphanages by providing for them in so many ways that are to say education.

Volunteers can sponsor or donate for the education of the child, teaching them ways how they can clean themselves. Taking drugs in case they are sick and also preparing meals for them to eat. This makes them feel loved and also shows them that somebody cares for them.

In a nutshell, volunteer programs in Uganda lookout to develop people in the community. They help them to break the poverty line in the families. These programs help in the child development, development of skills, empowerment of youths and women. They also call for equal rights for men and women.

 

 

orphanage project in Uganda
Footprint Volunteer Uganda September 15, 2021 No Comments

ORPHANAGE PROJECT

ORPHANAGE PROJECT

It’s a good project but a challenging one. It needs a lot to put in without expecting a lot to come out of it. Orphanages are homes that accommodate orphans, children with special needs, street children, and vulnerable children. The orphanage project provides shelter for children, gives them health care, provides education, and also gets basic needs of life. These children have abandoned children due to financial problems, conflicts, or wars, some have lost one or both parents due to HIV/AIDS. Some leave homes due to child labor, and domestic violence, and abuse from their relatives who tend to take care of them when their parents die. Due to extreme poverty in their homes/ families, their parents or relatives abandoned them on the streets.

Below are some of the skills need in the orphanage program.

In an orphanage project, you do not need much to be a volunteer. What you need is to be able to love the children, play with them, care for them and teach them some of the skills you know. This is to enable them to grow up knowing that somebody loves and cares for them amidst their childhood times. When around children you have to be patient, kind, and at the same time flexible when working with children that’s all you need to have.

Responsibilities of the volunteer in an orphanage project

The volunteer in an orphanage will help in preparing meals for children, feeding them, bathing and dressing the children, washing clothes, and help in keeping the orphanage clean, well-organized at all times.

The volunteer will take care of the children in the orphanage in an affectionate manner. You should be able to offer support in their times of challenging situations and also play with them during their leisure times.

The volunteer may be asked to help in teaching children in an orphanage school. This would depend on the volunteer’s capability on the subjects said to be taught and his or her comfort zone. Subjects mostly English will be taught to children and other subjects, educate them about personal hygiene, and impart valuable life skills.

Organization of Educational games by the volunteer for children at the orphanage. For example, learning fun songs and rhymes, and sports activities. This helps in the growth of children, child development, and also their well-being.

How does volunteering in an orphanage project helps the children?

Volunteering helps children discover their inner strengths and life skills. That’s to say as they can talk to people, they become open and say what they feel like. The volunteers can guide them in their day-to-day life hence becoming successful in life.

Volunteering helps children in orphanages to attain quality education. Volunteers help in teaching the children English and other subjects like math and also help them in doing homework. This helps them to become better citizens of the country. Quality education allows them to acquire skills, values, beliefs, moral habits, and achieving knowledge.

Volunteering also helps in building better classrooms, houses/shelters for the children. This gives the children better learning structures and a good place for them to leave in hence a secured living.

Volunteering helps the children attain good health services.  At the orphanage treatment of malaria, cough, and flu is done. This helps children grow healthy and strong.

Children can eat balanced and good food in an orphanage. Volunteers help in feeding the children food that develops their immune system. To fight diseases and also build their bodies.

Volunteering helps in restoring hope to children who had lost hope.  It makes them feel loved when shown love, care, a listening ear, and playing with them. This helps the children to grow well knowing that they have a shoulder to run to. For instance, in chase danger knocks on the door.

Summarily, volunteer in Uganda orphanage project, volunteering is of great importance in the lives of children. It creates a unique bond between the children and the volunteers. children get their restored hope, love, care, and kindness restored. It also helps the volunteers to improve on their skills, learn new cultures, and how they do things. All in all, it’s always fun when you choose to volunteer.

 

 

 

 

volunteering in Uganda footprint volunteer
Footprint Volunteer Uganda September 14, 2021 3 Comments

VOLUNTEERING IN UGANDA (FOOTPRINT VOLUNTEER UGANDA)

A volunteer refers to a person who offers to take part in an organization with little or no pay. Footprint Volunteer Uganda is an initiative project to reach out to the various needs within our society. And these include; vulnerable people, wildlife, water and environment, Agriculture, human rights.

Volunteering involves providing a safe health environment that could accommodate life and any kind of living. Various programs are currently running under this project among which include; Elderly program, Childcare/Orphanage program, Widows program, Disabled program, HIV/AIDS program, Youth program, Water and sanitation, Healthcare program, Human rights, and Community development program. The major objective of the footprint is an opportunity for everybody out there that has the zeal of changing and transforming a society positively basing on the mentioned needs.

Discussed below are the programs carried out in Footprint Volunteer Uganda.

Childcare/Orphanage program

is a volunteer program set up to render support to orphaned, poor, and marginalized children of Uganda who have not acquired parental support and have faced several challenges in life.

A local orphanage based in Kalagi-Mukono [Uganda], founded by the late Emmanuel MacMillan Kitumba in 2012 to rescue and restore hope to the vulnerable children in most war, epidemic, poverty, HIV/AIDS affected areas. The orphanage shelters around 20 children around the age of 3 to 15 years. This program is based to show love and restore hope to the orphans around Uganda.

These children have encountered a lot of problems that make it hard to trust anyone so easily. So a trained team on grounds specialized in children trauma healing education. Some children are sexually abused by their relatives so volunteering in Uganda works with Love Uganda Foundation that connects to the police

Health care program

its aim is (To improve health in rural communities through educating and engaging people in health programs.) Medical volunteers or interns can join our Public health & medical care project and sustainably change the health, and hygiene of Uganda’s rural people.

The medical volunteer program takes you to rural hospitals, clinics, small communities or orphanages, sub-urban medical centers to provide checkups. Basic medical care, early intervention provide services for infants and toddlers less than three years of age who may have or be at risk of developmental delay.

Family planning-provide information about birth control methods to help in planning the number and spacing of children, when to become pregnant and provides to improve the health and well-being of children in their care.

Treatment of malaria, tuberculosis, and syphilis are the most common health ailments in Uganda. For example, a registered nurse, medical doctor, lab technician, and paramedic or have a trained medical skill then you can.

Participate in patient care such as diagnosing, injections, lab work. If you are a midwife then you can work in the maternity ward assisting with prenatal and antenatal care. All the activities are under the supervision of professional doctors, nurses, and support staff.

Education/teaching program

is also a program undertaken to equip the orphans and the community to attain education at all levels. The volunteer project involves teaching primary school children using dedicated one-on-one sessions to help bring them up to required standards. The aim is to give certain students extra attention as they have fallen behind the rest of their peers. The education volunteer will help children learn the correct use of English words, master English grammar, encourage writing, reading, and comprehension skills. This will let the children practically learn the language and may be able to improve their verbal skills.

Volunteers are also to work in government and public primary schools located in and around the areas to teach children. Volunteers mainly teach children aged between 4-16years. Subjects to be taught include English (Conversational and Written), Math’s, Geography, Religious Education, Entrepreneurship skills, General Knowledge as well as Physical Education a sports program in schools. They teach for approximately 4-5 hours a day, five days a week.  They may be alone or with the help of other teachers.

Community development/ empowerment

involves work alongside local people on community development programs. This includes education, women’s empowerment, environmental monitoring, income-generating activities, health management, and mapping.

Women empowerment is one of the programs under community empowerment that works towards better welfare and social development of women.

Empowering women to improve basic hygiene and health care, to fight high rates of infant mortality. The answer is to educate girls. Volunteering in Uganda therefore, understands that the future of many communities lies in the hands of empowered female leaders. Women may share their knowledge in the community’s best interests.

Equal opportunities are what we aim for in Uganda.  volunteers have a chance to assist women by boosting literacy and health education, providing income generation tips and microcredit loans education, rights, and life skills.

saving and credit – micro-credit through cooperatives, income generative skills training, women health, and maternity education. Teaching the English language to young women, help with small business skills.

We see the rise in quality of life for the women as fundamental to positive development for Uganda as a whole. By providing women with the tools to be at the head of their own future successes.

Lastly, youth empowerment concludes then community programs.

The percentage of unemployed youth in Uganda both skilled and unskilled stands at 2.44%. Covid-19 made the matter worse companies closed and some lied off workers due to limited funds. (UNICEF generally defines youth as being between the ages of 15 and 24 years old). Some youth also have negative views on certain jobs so they are unwilling to take them if offered a position. Youth unemployment poses a serious political, economic, and social challenge to the country and its leadership. It’s difficult for Uganda to break out of poverty.

Volunteers help in sensitization of the youth through sharing, success stories experimentation with different case studies, acquisition of some important skills such as leadership,  at times even a financial push where needed.

Youth are also encouraged to take part in community activities like Leading and attending Events for example arts and crafts, games like group games, non-competitive games, and puzzles and quizzes. Youth advisory programs, Aid work in remote parts of the country Elementary and high school clubs’ and Development of projects.

In a nutshell Footprint volunteer, Uganda offers a platform for people around and outside Uganda to volunteer in all areas to help the orphans, the vulnerable women in rural areas to develop skills, support financial support, health care to develop social development hence reducing poverty, the dependence of women on men and stopping domestic violence.

 

 

volunteer Uganda packing list
Footprint Volunteer Uganda September 13, 2021 3 Comments

`VOLUNTEER UGANDA PACKING LIST

`VOLUNTEER UGANDA PACKING LIST

As it’s written in proverbs 22:9 “the generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Volunteering is something that would give someone peace of mind and at the same time restore someone’s lost hope.

 Volunteer Uganda Packing list for a trip is hard for any person to do but when you have a guiding list makes it easy for you to pack for any trip. Volunteering is a hands-on activity where certain clothes do not fit. So the guide protects you in a way that you are able not to spoil your best outfit. People tend to overpack while planning a trip.  Some planes carry limited kilos. So it’s good to know what to carry and not to carry while coming up to volunteer.

Below are some of the things you should include in your volunteer Uganda packing list.

The volunteer has got to have an open mind when planning a trip to volunteer in Uganda. When volunteering you don’t have a clear mind on what you are going to do. And how it’s going to be done. So many people get so excited while planning a volunteer trip and try to imagine things. It’s easy if someone has not built up any expectations. So it’s better if everything takes you by surprise but not getting disappointed when what you expected did not happen.

As you enter a country one has to be very patient in learning a new culture of the community. This is not going to be easy to do nor does it just happen in one day. So you have to be patient with yourself and also with the people around you.  The things that are done back home may not be the way they are done here. It is sometimes testing to adopt a new culture but if given time, it becomes easy for you.

What to pack in terms of what to put on as you are going to your volunteering place should be known. One should be able to know the weather and the environment of the country. Uganda at some points is a hot country. So one should carry some light clothing to cope up with the weather. As it may get hotter while working so one needs some comfortable, suitable clothes and also some easy shoes. It does not matter whether you are teaching, gardening, or working with animals. 

The volunteer should be able to communicate with the volunteering company on what to bring from home. The company should be able to provide information on what to bring. If it can be brought from the country or community where one is going to work from. This is to ensure that the money goes back to the local economy to develop them.

As the volunteer is preparing for a volunteer trip, one should mind about the safe that he or she has in the volunteer accommodation. A body hygiene kit can be folded on a wall so it’s advisable.

One should be a positive person as one prepares to volunteer in any country for example Uganda. You should prepare your mind to think positively no matter what work he or she is going to volunteer into that’s to say, teaching, working with orphanages, and health care. No matter how hot or cold the place may be one should be able to cope up with anything.

Volunteer’s imprinted documents should not be carried when on a volunteer trip as it saves space in the suitcase or backpack. These documents can be downloaded on smartphones or tablets and also on laptops. This makes it possible to assess all documents and information needed instead of carrying documents in large quantities as this also saves space and time.

Well, in a nutshell, volunteer Uganda packing list offers to make one comfortable while coming on a field trip as it’s easy for one to cope up with any situation around. Guidance to a volunteer is also something to put around to make the visitor feel at home to reduce the discomfort of the volunteer. It’s also advisable for the volunteer company to always update the volunteer on the updates of the company so that he or she is well equipped with information about the company.