Volunteer opportunities Okoa Hero’s Child
Reach out your hand and build a foundation for life.
Volunteering with sustainability and responsibility
In Uganda, there are many opportunities in areas that make a difference in people’s lives. We work sustainably and holistically towards a self-determined future for all children. For a world where the children of today support the children of tomorrow!
Volunteering in Uganda comes with a lot of challenges. Discover a new culture, meet new people and experience the warmth of the people. The beauty of nature will also inspire you. It an experience of the school of life, and as a volunteer, you will be right in the middle of it..
Our volunteer projects in Uganda focus on the district of Iganga and the orphanage of the village of Kosolo.
Our projects
There is an endless list of things volunteers can do, and we welcome anyone to get involved, regardless of experience or expertise. Volunteer in Uganda at a rural village school, at the medical centre, or get involved in larger community projects like building a cooperative. Programmes have limited resources and would struggle to function without the valuable contribution and support . We greatly appreciate the support of volunteers like you and welcome volunteers with ideas to help our project grow and develop.
Projects Children’s House
Our children’s house is to be further expanded. Painting and furnishing the house, building the sanitary facilities – there is always a lot to do!
Volunteers are welcome to help with concreting, bricklaying, carpentry, painting, building stables and thus contribute their knowledge to the further expansion of the children’s house.
Community activities
Community activities like health education help the villagers and we would love volunteers to help us run these sessions.
We advise them on contraception, hygiene and nutrition and introduce them to areas of media work such as WordPress, for example.
Sewing Machine Tutorial in the village
Many girls in Kososlo village are untrained and need support to operate sewing machines. They would learn how to sew to make washable pads , bags and other things.
Volunteers with skills on Singer sewing machines can contribute their knowledge and experience in many ways. Two Singer machines with foot pedal are available.
Childcare in the children’s house
The mission of this programme is to care for vulnerable and impoverished children in our children’s home and in Kosolo village. The children’s home is run under religious beliefs and although the facility does not require volunteers to hold the same religious, they do require volunteers to the values of their faith.
Volunteers play an essential role in our facility by helping to care for the children in all areas. Any support is greatly appreciated, for example cooking together, playing together, going for walks, reading, making music, handicrafts, teaching, gardening or exploring the environment together.
The children are our priority and we want to support them in growing up safely, developing freely and overcoming their poverty in the long term. In doing so, it is important to us to convey Christian values. When the children realise that they are a child of God they have a special value, a change takes place, they begin to blossom in all areas of their lives.
Our projects include working with children. If you live in a country where a police clearance or background check is required to work with children, we will ask you to do this in your home country and submit it with your application. You will need to bring the original with you when you start your trip. Please also read our child protection policy here before applying.
We ask volunteers to help 5 hours a day, five days a week and we like to give volunteers the flexibility to choose the work they like to do and when they do it. We are also happy when volunteers find new ways to help our projects get off the ground. However, we ask that all volunteers put our children first, the community second and themselves third.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Those undertaking volunteering work are always welcomed, especially by local children who love spending time with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. Contact us without obligation via the contact form. We will contact you by email or phone and give you non-binding advice.
If you decide to travel to Iganga for a period of time as a volunteer, please register using the registration form below. Please let us know when you would like to come and what you would like to do. After your registration, we will send you our bank details and ask you to transfer the processing fee of 100€/110 Us-Dollar.. Once we have received the money, we will take care of the organisation of your personal and individual volunteer placement in Iganga/Uganda.
In the meantime, you take care of your flight and vaccinations. Please do not forget to take a first-aid kit with you, which should include malaria tablets, anti-fever and anti-nausea medication, painkillers, ointment against insect bites and a mosquito spray. We recommend that you take out health insurance for the duration of your stay.
The volunteer contract according to your travel duration will be sent to you. In this contract you will find all further details and also the participation fee. After signing the volunteer contract, we ask you to transfer the entire amount at least 4 weeks before the start of your trip.
Package prices per week
From a length of stay of 1-4 weeks
Single room: 270€ / 300 US-Dollar / p.p. / week
Double room: 220€ / 240 US-Dollar / p.p. / week
From a length of stay of 5-12 weeks
Single room: 220€ / 240 US-Dollar / p.p. / week
Double room: 170€ / 190 US-Dollar / p.p. / week
The price includes:
- Accommodation in our guest house or with a host family
- National breakfast, lunch and dinner
- On-site support by our Ugandan staff
- Contact with the local population
All profits from this social enterprise facility are reinvested into the projects that directly benefit the rural community. The costs for accommodation and meals help the rural community, which we support. The costs for accommodation and meals benefit the rural community we support. If you wish, we can also help you organise excursions such as safaris, boat trips on the Nile, etc. or leisure activities.
Arrival
A visa and proof of yellow fever vaccination are required for entry. You can apply for the visa here via the Uganda E-Visa online portal, or here at the Ugandan Ministry A letter of recommendation is required for the visa application, which we will issue. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with us by email.
Upon arrival in Entebbe, a driver will be waiting to take you to Iganga. The cost of a taxi from the airport to Jinja is 60 euros / 65 Us-Dollar each way. If you are travelling in a group, you can share the cost. Do not worry about communication. The people in Uganda are very friendly and helpful. With a little English you will quickly find your way around.
During the first days you will be accompanied by our team. You will get to know our children’s home and the village with its inhabitants and we will familiarise you with the surroundings and our projects. You can also look forward to the Ugandan cuisine, which is very simple but delicious.
Questions & Answers
Transfer from the airport
A driver will pick you up from the airport and take you safely with your luggage to your accommodation.
The accommodation
You will either stay with a host family or in our guest house. Everything is provided, from mosquito nets to bed linen, towels and a washing machine. It is a place to feel at home! Host families have everything you need and offer you the added benefit of a cultural experience.
Location and duration
Kososlo village is located in Busoga district, Ianga town. From here it is not far to Jinja, which is located on the Nile River. Many activities can be started from here.
Length of stay
You decide about your exact length of stay and when you would like to arrive! We would ask you for a minimum stay of 2 weeks to get used to the daily routine.
Meals
We try to offer you a varied meal. The local cuisine is simple, but very tasty and often vegetarian. If there are any intolerances, please let us know. Our cook will take care of your physical well-being. If you like to cook, she will be happy to introduce you to Ugandan cooking.
Support
During the first days we will accompany you and show you everything that is important to find your way around. Be it the bank, the supermarket or to find your way around locally. We are there for you whenever you need us.
Discover the Pearl of Africa
We are happy to help you discover the country. There are many excursion possibilities, for example rafting tours on the Nile, the Nile’s numerous restaurants and cafes with Ugandan cuisine, Indian and Chinese cuisine in Jinja. Safaris The Itanda waterfalls are also worth a visit. Not far from Iganga are the Hills, a magical place full of tranquility. Especially worthwhile when the day is slowly coming to an end. You will be immersed in the Ugandan lifestyle and culture and treated like a member of the family.
Medical care
An international hospital with very good medical care in all areas is located in Jinja, which covers all areas..
Language
English is the national language, but not the mother tongue of most Ugandans. The further inland you go, the less English is spoken. In the village of Kososlo near Iganga, for example, Kiswahili is spoken and little English, so that even with not perfect English you can communicate well with hands and feet. Our team leaders all speak English.
Internet and electricity
If you use a laptop, you can surf the internet or write emails with the help of an internet stick. With the help of a Ugandan sim card, you can also use your smartphone at cheap rates to write on Whatsapp. The internet is often very slow and the network reception is not everywhere.
In Uganda, the power grid often breaks down, sometimes for several days. An international adapter is needed. It is advisable to take a power bank for the cell phone with you to be reachable.
Submit application
