Primary School Teacher

  Uganda

Mukono

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: February 1 to April 15, May 20 to August 20, September 20 to November 30.

Description: There are many private schools in Uganda that educate, house and feed needy children and orphans. You can teach primary classes, including academic subjects and life skills, and organize sport and art activities for the children. Let us know what you're interested in teaching and we'll get you into the best school for you. We also work with village-based boarding schools. So, don't feel limited to Mukono town!

Teaching needy and orphaned kids has serious challenges and needs volunteers who are open to local teaching methods but still able to bring creativity and fun into the classroom. You are the outside world to these kids. Schools have a basic curriculum, but you'll be planning your own lessons daily. Know that traditional education in Uganda is based on memorization and passing exams. While there is a language barrier, by volunteering you can introduce creative writing, drawing, debate, and life skills into the classroom.

Highlights: Accommodation will be shared with other volunteers in a large apartment (3 bedroom, sitting room, balcony, kitchen) in Mukono Town, 30km from Kampala. There will be a housegirl who will cook, clean, and wash clothes. The building is within a locked compound. The shower is indoors, and the latrine is detached but fully enclosed. There is no running water, but there is a water tank in the compound, and there are jerry cans for water storage. There is a cooker in the kitchen, so you will be able to boil drinking water and do some cooking on your own if you wish. You will be provided with 3 meals per day. Meals will consist of local foods, such as matooke (mashed plantain), posho (corn bread), sweet potatoes, and rice. They are generally served with beef, beans, or peas. Bread, eggs and fruits are also available for breakfast.

Whether you volunteer in Mukono town or in a village, you'll likely use Mukono town as your base for services and meeting other volunteers. It's located on the Kampala-Jinja highway about 20km from Kampala. With a population of about 35,000, Mukono has 3 internet cafes, a major university, a bunch of restaurants and drinking spots, supermarkets, and a luxury hotel with a swimming pool and gardens. It's easily accessible from all village placements by public transport. By public transport it takes about 40 minutes to get to either Kampala or Jinja, which are good places to get specialized services or have some western fun.

How To Apply:

Please email us your resume, a list of your skills/interests, and tell us why you want to come live and volunteer in Uganda. Our program is pretty popular, so try to apply well in advance of when you're traveling. You must arrive around the 1st or 15th of the month. We have a 1 month minimum and a 4 month maximum. If you want to stay longer, we'll work it out if the space is available.

Qualifications: Volunteers must speak english fluently, be over 18 years of age, and in good physical health

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: 650/month

The fee covers support while you prepare for Uganda, airport pickup, first night hotel, transport to your placement, food and accommodation while volunteering, supervision, and a donation to the organization with which you are working.

The fee does not cover airline tickets, visas, vaccinations, drinking water, leisure activities, or medical services. You'll likely need $20-$40 a week to support a basic life which includes drinking water, internet, transport, and a few western treats such as coffee and chocolate. Safaris and white water rafting are a bit more expensive. Check out a Lonely Planet or Bradt guide on Uganda for details about that.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A typical volunteer to the real Uganda is one that has long wanted to come to africa to find out the real situation on the ground. They come to learn about culture, language, education, and development issues in Uganda. They come to help where they can. They are students, professionals, those of career break, and retired people. They come to work and to have a good time!

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Uganda Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

The Real Uganda's Mission Statement: The Real Uganda recruits and places foreign volunteers with small community based organizations and schools around southern Uganda. Through our volunteer placement program, we aim to build the capacities of local organizations and raise awareness around the world about the successes and challenges of life in Uganda. Many local organizations lack the money and skills to grow themselves. We hope that with our program in place, our partner organizations will overcome some of the more serious challenges they face. These include: lack of money for operations (wages, office space, transport, training courses), lack of business skills (book keeping, marketing, strategy, grant writing), and lack of up to date knowledge (Counseling/mentoring skills, English language, HIV/AIDS and life skills information). We offer a safe and family-like environment in which to come to Uganda and give your time. We offer pre-arrival support by answering your questions about Uganda and by finding an organization that best fits your skills and interests. We can also connect you to former and current volunteers working with us. We offer in-country assistance by collecting you from the airport, getting you to your placement, and unraveling some of the more complicated cultural issues you face when entering Uganda for the first time. It is not easy to come to a completely foreign culture on your own. We want to be there to give you encouragement, advice, and support in order for you to be most effective while you are here.

Year Founded: 2004