Free International Volunteer Programs

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Recruiting Organization: Ssamba Foundation

If you would like to spend time volunteering with free international volunteer programs, Ssamba Foundation in Uganda has opportunities for building, community outreaches on HIV/AIDS Awareness, organizing and coaching games and sports, working with women in crafts projects and teaching primary and high schools in Languages and other social subjects.

The beneficiaries of our projects will welcome you into their community with open arms. You will be made to feel at home and you will taste all the different cultural foods, see their dancing and have the opportunity to join in. The children always enjoy having visitors and will be very friendly towards you. They can take you for walks to see the monkeys and you can learn about the various local medicinal plants.

Uganda has plenty for you to be doing during your engagement in the free international volunteer programs and lots to see during your time off, from white water rafting to on foot safaris. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please write to us: ssambafoundation@gmail.com . We shall be very happy to talk to you as soon as possible!

Volunteer Life at the free international volunteer programs

Ssamba Foundation volunteers enjoy an extremely unique experience not only in the work they do but also in the atmosphere they live in. The hard work volunteers put in during the week undoubtedly warrants some fun and relaxation during evening free time and on the weekends.

During the week we organize a variety of activities for volunteers in the evenings. We often play football (soccer), cards and board games or chill out around the bar or go out for a dance getting to know fellow volunteers from around the world. Musical ballads are known to break out from time to time as well as the always entertaining pub-quiz nights.

Schedule for free international volunteer programs

Volunteers work Monday through Friday. Every weekday morning, breakfast is served from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM, and at 9:00 AM on Saturday. The workday generally finishes around 4pm and dinner is served at our home from 7pm-9pm.

Children and Youth Development

Through our Youth Development projects, we aim to enhance the physical, social and emotional development of children in Uganda. Volunteers participating in our free international volunteer programs can get involved at a local daycare center, participate in the skills and youth leadership training or participate in our Sports Program and Music, dance and drama.

Mukono Child Care Center

The Center provides at-risk children a safe environment in which they participate in any number of extra-curricular activities. These activities are designed to provide kids from 3 to 19 years old with creative outlets and opportunities to make constructive use of their time. The center is managed by a local social worker with the support and involvement of volunteers from Ssamba Foundation.

Volunteers help children to practice reading, writing, arithmetic, and English while making time for various games and recreational activities. Ssamba Foundation also helps coordinate important educational workshops in areas lacking emphasis in general school curricula such as recycling, nutrition, hygiene, and self-esteem. This is a fun project for anyone who loves working with children. The kids are very enthusiastic and always keen to learn, play, and interact with volunteers.

MDD, Sports & Recreation

Ssamba Foundation’s MDD, Sports & Recreation Program collaborates with local communities to promote healthy lifestyles amongst local children/youth through teaching basic skills and tactics of football (soccer) and volleyball, teaching music, dance moves and drama. Given the lack of adequate recreational opportunities available to kids in the villages, our programs seek to provide at-risk children and youth with a safe environment where they can practice these activities in order to make productive use of free time. In addition, we emphasize important core values like mutual respect, trust, fair-play and self-esteem as well as sportsmanship, teamwork, and leadership. Volunteers participating on our free international volunteer programs contributing to this project will plan and lead practices of understanding the activity.

Education and Teaching

Education is the key to a child’s success. The Ssamba Foundation’s Education Program focuses on English language classes, international cultural exchanges and educational murals. These initiatives are aimed at a wide range of audiences, from school children to local villagers.

Education is a priority, it is one of the most important tools Ssamba Foundation can give the children in order to break the cycle of poverty affecting their lives and to help them become independent adults. Some children excel at academics and strive to earn scholarships to attend university. Others receive vocational training in one of many hands on professions like ceramics, carpentry, hairdressing, tourism, computer sciences, electronics, child care, and husbandry.

The murals we paint are directed towards local schools to help raise awareness on key issues such as personal hygiene, recycling and environmental preservation. Improved knowledge of English and other international languages provides locals with a crucial skill in seeking further education and can unlock new job opportunities.

Language Classes Teaching

The community has shown great interest in learning different languages from our international volunteers. We teach various languages to a wide variety of ages, ability levels, and professional orientations. Yet one of the most unique aspects of our Saturday/Weekly Evening classes is the incorporation of a cultural exchange element, which allows locals to learn about the diverse cultural backgrounds and customs of our volunteers while enriching volunteers’ own understanding of the local culture.

We are always looking for people with qualifications or previous teaching experience to manage our language programs by coordinating with local counterparts regarding new and existing courses, preparing appropriate lesson plans, teaching classes, and training other volunteers who are interested in supporting this initiative.

School Murals

We are helping to make schools brighter, more interesting and more colorful places for kids to study by painting murals that engage students in important themes concerning general youth development and healthy lifestyles. Depending on the needs and desires of the schools, themes range from recycling and proper hand-washing techniques to promoting school spirit. These projects are a fun way for volunteers to engage the community and leave behind an image that has a lasting impact.

Community Development Initiatives

Volunteers wishing to get involved in one of our Community Development Initiatives (CDI) will work as part of a team dedicated to a particular project pertaining to one of our program areas. These volunteers have the chance to interact directly with the community by preparing and coordinating workshops and activities with local counterpart organizations, community groups, government agencies, and NGOs whose goals are closely related to those of Ssamba Foundation.

They are also actively involved in the execution of educational training workshops and project monitoring and evaluation. Ssamba Foundation’s Community Development Initiatives provide volunteers the unique opportunity to continuously improve program parameters and best practices. Our programs are constantly enriched by the participation and insight of volunteers with a wide range of experience and educational backgrounds.

Community Construction

Volunteers who indicate their desire to work in construction enjoy a wide variety of projects to choose from every week. This is the most flexible branch of Ssamba Foundation operations, as volunteers may choose to work on different projects every week or, alternatively, work on various stages of one project through to completion (assuming they are able to stay throughout the duration of the project).

Although certain projects often present unique needs and challenges, there are several core areas (and corresponding activities) you will likely find yourself contributing to at some point during your service as a Construction Volunteer: Site Preparation (demolition, digging foundations, clearing rubble, etc.), Building (Mixing and pouring concrete, bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, etc.), or Community Beautification (planting trees, landscaping, community cleanups, painting murals, etc.). Whatever your interest, rest assured you’ll get your hands dirty from the start!

Environmental Conservation

The free international volunteer programs, through the Environmental Conservation Program aims to develop initiatives that support locals in the improvement of their neighborhoods as well as providing them with basic sanitation. We are currently engaged in fruit tree planting initiatives at schools and homes that give volunteers the opportunity to contribute to environmentally friendly projects that are made sustainable through education and inclusion.

Stipend ProvidedFalse

Training Provided

Housing Available

Language/Cultral Support Available

Wheelchair AccessibleFalse

Fee RequiredFalse

Fee Amount: None

This opportunity is recurring