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.

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. 

Webmasters May 26, 2021 No Comments

RESEARCH ON VOLUNTEERISM AND ITS CONSQUENCES

Volunteerism is a form of helping in which people actively seek out opportunities. To assist others in need, make considerable and continuing commitments to assist. And sustain these commitments over extended periods, often at considerable personal cost. Several features mark it as a distinctive form of helping. Unlike the helping that occurs spontaneously in response to emergencies, volunteers typically seek out opportunities to help. Unlike the obligated helping that occurs in the context of ongoing relationships. Volunteers typically do not know those they help in advance and have no prior bonds of obligation to help them.

To understand the psychology of volunteerism, researchers have identified diverse personal and social motivations served by volunteering. Have developed inventories to assess these motivations, and explored their role in the processes. By which people initiate and sustain their involvement in voluntary helping. Theoretically, the study of volunteerism is informative about forms of helping that are playful, sustained. And that occurs in the absence of bonds of obligation. Practically, it can inform the practice of volunteerism. Specifically, the ways that organizations can enhance the recruitment, placement, and retention of volunteers.

CONSEQUENCES OF VOLUNTEERISM

Research on the consequences of volunteerism has considered its effects on the volunteers themselves. The recipients of volunteer services, and the wider community. Snyder and Omoto (2008) review outcomes that include changes in attitudes and knowledge. Improved health and subjective well-being, changes in behavior, and the establishment of community bonds. For example, studies of volunteers who work with people living with HIV/AIDS have revealed that such volunteerism leads to increases in knowledge of safer sex practices, reductions in stereotypical beliefs about individuals with HIV/AIDS, and increases in comfort in discussing issues relevant to

HIV/AIDS. Studies of consequences in other volunteer domains have found increases in volunteer self-esteem, self-efficacy and confidence, and even improved academic achievement. In addition, volunteering has been linked to positive health outcomes for volunteers, including increased optimism and longer life, and has been linked to higher subjective well-being for those volunteers who have experienced past traumatic life events. Research on volunteerism

As reviewed by Snyder and Omoto (2008),

the benefits of volunteering extend to the actual recipients of volunteer service. And to the organizations through which volunteers serve. For example, individuals living with HIV/AIDS who have a volunteer providing companionship. And home help has been shown to have better psychological functioning as compared to those without a volunteer companion. However, more research needs to be conducted on the impact of volunteer help on aid recipients, to determine. For example, whether receiving volunteer assistance might be threatening to recipients’ self-esteem or self-efficacy. More research is also needed on the positive impacts of volunteerism on service organizations. To build upon the aforementioned economic benefits to organizations and the growth of social capital.

The building of community bonds and social networks occurs for volunteers, help recipients. And a member of the organizations through which volunteers serve (Omoto and Snyder, 2010). These community bonds have been linked to not only volunteer behavior maintenance but also the willingness of community members. To engage in other efforts aimed at improving the quality of life for the community. Including the amount of money donated in support of causes, attending fund-raisers, and engaging in civic and political activism. In addition, these social networks increase the overall effectiveness of volunteers. As well as serve as means to recruit future volunteers.

Thus, psychological research on the consequences of volunteerism has documented benefits for individual volunteers. The recipients of volunteer services, the organizations through which volunteers serve, and the wider community. For volunteers and recipients, these include health and psychological benefits, as well as increased social capital. For organizations and communities, the benefits include the improved capability to address problems. And the ability to keep volunteers involved for longer periods.

 

 

Webmasters January 28, 2021 2 Comments

KNOW MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING UGANDA

Volunteering in Uganda is an NGO initiative aimed at reaching out to the various needs within the Ugandan society through volunteerism. The organization has the objective of availing an opportunity to everybody. That has a zeal for changing and transforming a society positively. Through the provision of a platform and hands-on involvement in the support process. Through its partnership with Love Uganda Foundation, Volunteering in Uganda intends to “make volunteerism a relevant, purposeful engine for democracy and sustainable communities today, and by so doing, create a vibrant purposeful society tomorrow.”

Also known as “Footprint Volunteer Uganda“, the organization has diverse programs. That is to say the elderly program, disabled program, HIV/AIDS program, Youth program. Childcare program, widows program, water, and sanitation program, healthcare human rights, and development program. All the above programs are catered for within the organization’s four major programs which are; The Community Development Program, The Healthcare program, The Education/teaching program, and The Childcare/Orphanage program. Each of these programs is specifically and carefully arranged. To cater to the needs of the different beneficiaries of the Organization.

The Community Development Program

believes that through training local farmers, helping the local women groups. Sensitizing women, and child advocacy, volunteers can be able to cause a rewarding impact on society.    This program involves working alongside people within the local communities, engaging in developmental programs through education.  Women`s empowerment, environmental monitoring, income-generating activities, health management, and mapping. The Women Empowerment program and the Youth Empowerment Program fall under the Community Development program.Volunteering in Uganda

Under the Women Empowerment Program,

Volunteering in Uganda notes, “If you want to change a culture, to empower women, to improve basic hygiene and healthcare, to fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls”.

It is for this reason that this volunteer program is steered. Towards the creation of better welfare and socio-economic development for women.  From poor areas both within rural areas and Uganda`s capital city – Kampala.

Through many projects, for example, teaching the English language to young women, providing training on proper account keeping to women in small finance groups. Participating in, as well as initiating awareness-raising activities in various issues. Working with women in their farms, arranging activities to improve the self-confidence and educational development of women. Working with Love Uganda Foundation local staff to train women, etc. All the volunteer programs are aimed at ending discrimination against women in the most marginalized communities.

The Youth Empowerment Program

is geared towards supporting the youth, who demographically, make up 78% of Uganda`s population. Making it the youngest population worldwide. UNICEF defines youth as being between the ages 15-24years. Unfortunately, despite being the majority of the country being young and vibrant. Statistics show that the unemployment rate in Uganda is 83%, with 3.2% of Uganda Youth working for waged employment.  90.9% work for informal employment, and 5.8% are self-employed. It is thus Volunteering in Uganda`s desire to changes these statistics through availing opportunities for volunteers. To support the youth in Uganda by sharing success stories, the impartation of skills. Such as leadership to the youth, and where the need is, grant financial support to them. The youth are also encouraged to take part in community stimulating activities.

Under the Healthcare program,

Volunteering in Uganda aims to improve health in rural communities by educating and engaging people in health programs.  Volunteers with a medical background and public health. Volunteers in this program are taken to some of the rural hospitals, clinics, communities, or orphanages. Where they provide checkups, basic medical care, early intervention services, family planning information, etc. Volunteering in Uganda understands that Health is a basic human right. And as a result, it put in place such programs to ensure that the vulnerable people in Uganda can access them.

Recognizing that the Right to Education is a fundamental human right,

Volunteering in Uganda seeks to make access to that right possible for as many children as it can reach. Through its Education/Teaching Volunteer program. Under this, volunteers work in government and public schools. Mainly teaching children aged between 4-16 years in English, Maths, Geography, Religious Education, Entrepreneurship, General Knowledge, and Physical Education. This particular field requires the volunteer to be compassionate and can care for and relate with children. Through fun and outgoing activities that can grab the interest of the children. And creative teaching methodologies with which they can easily learn. Volunteers under this program are required to work for 4-5 hours each day, for five days a week.

Childcare program

Finally, Volunteering in Uganda has a volunteer program set up to render support to the orphaned, poor and marginalized children of Uganda. Through its Childcare program. This program seeks to reach out to children who have not acquired parental support. That they need and have faced several challenges in life. Under this program, Volunteers can support and love orphans. Under the care of Love Uganda Orphanage which is based in Kalagi – Mukono. The orphanage is home to 30 vulnerable children aged between 3-15 years. Among those who are disabled children, those that were abandoned, and some of them living with HIV/AIDS. This Volunteer program also reaches out to 300 other children under the external child care program. Where the organization gives support to very poor single families. Within this program, volunteers can participate in the rescuing and restoration of hope to such vulnerable children.

Seeing as the world has partnered to create a positive and long-lasting impact globally through the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals. Volunteering in Uganda is actively playing her role, with emphasis on SDG No. 1-No poverty, SDG No. 3- Good health, SDG No.4- Education, and SDG No. 5- Gender equality. It is thus a call to action for all those with a passion for causing and participating in the creation of a world. That can support the existence of life today, as well as enable a fruitful life for future generations. Through either partnering with Volunteering in Uganda or giving to the cause.