The communities we are
serving are crushing poverty, high unemployment, and poor
sanitation. We have introduced yoga and fitness classes as a way to help
them cope with their lives and develop a livelihood to help others. UCESCO is looking for yoga instructors who want to
volunteer in Uganda to teach our locals and empower them to feel part of the
community and create a safe environment to build their life again. This is done
by strengthening Youths' and women's self-confidence by highlighting the skills
and competencies they already have and supporting them in acquiring new ones.
About the Program
as yoga Instructors volunteers are responsible for planning and
executing yoga classes within their scope of practice. The main focus is the
safety and inclusivity of all participants. Through this project, the women hereby have the opportunity to prepare for their future by finding and believing in their own resources. The project's activities also support women in finding relationships and building healthy communities. This opportunity will help the women to be aware of not only their mental well-being but also their physical state. We are approaching this by conducting Yoga classes as a group in class & homestays.
Communication
Immediately you arrive, it is
reassuring to know you’ll be able to contact home and keep in touch with staff
and volunteers during your stay. Here are some tips on communicating in Uganda
- Mobile phone- Having a mobile phone with you while
you volunteer is a good idea. They allow you to reassure your family and
friends to know that you will be contactable. A local SIM card will
usually offer much cheaper local and international rates than your SIM
from home. You can buy a local SIM from many shops in Kampala, and the
Ugandan team or another volunteer can tell you where to go. You can buy or
rent a handset after you arrive, or bring one with you. Some smartphones
(including iPhones) will not accept SIMs from other companies, so please
check before you travel.
- Internet - The cheapest way to stay in touch with
friends and family is via the Internet, email, social networks, and
telecom services like Skype. Many volunteers also choose to write a travel
blog, and volunteers who fundraise may have promised an email diary for
their sponsors. There are two ways to access the internet in Kampala: on
the internet, Wifi in homestays, and cafes, or using a modem stick plugged
into your laptop.
Climate
and Weather
Uganda's climate is
largely tropical with two rainy seasons per year, March to May and September to December. The northern region, which forms one-quarter of the
country lies outside the tropical belt and hence experiences only one rainy
season, March to October.
Dry Seasons ( June to
August & December to February)
Average temperatures
hover around 27°C/81°F in the afternoon and 16°C/61°F in the morning. It will
be colder at altitudes above 1,300m/4,265ft, including the gorilla parks
June,
July & August – June and July
are the driest months in the south, but it can still rain. Unlike the south,
these months are part of the Wet season in the north. The far north, including
Kidepo Valley, is semi-arid and can experience droughts for some years.
December,
January & February – Most of the
south has less rainfall, but still more when compared to June and July. The
north has a clear Dry season with little rain.
Wet Seasons ( March to
May & September to November)
Daytime temperatures
average around 28°C/82°F and morning temperatures around 16°C/61°F. It will be
colder in the gorilla parks at high altitudes and warmer in the north.
Clothes
There are a couple of things to bear
in mind when packing clothes for Uganda. The first is the weather - it can vary
quite a lot, so it is best to plan for hot sun and pouring rain. You will need
to dress to protect yourself from the sun but also be prepared for rain. Here
is a suggestion of what to bring;
- T-shirts
- Shorts
- Lightweight trousers and tops
- Jumper and Jeans for the evenings
- Plenty of underwear
- Hait for sun
- Sports clothing
- Trainers or boots
- Sandals
- Day shoes
Packing
Below are some suggestions about what
to pack. Everything on these lists is essential or useful
- Passport
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
- Travel pillow
- Towels
- Toiletries and sanitary products. Consider
bringing dry shampoo wet wipes, and hand sanitizer
Tours and Safaris
Weekends are made
for exploring our country and Safaris ( Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for any
safari outside Kampala City, they need at least 2 nights and 3 days to have
enough experience). Safaris within Kampala city or nearby can be explored for
one day or two ( Saturday and Sunday). The organization is aware and more than
happy to give you enough time to explore Uganda too because you are here to
help at the same time make sure you experience Africa's lifestyle and culture.
We will always give you time for that. In case you are also interested in
safaris while volunteering with us, let us know to link you to our sister
company that offers pocket-friendly Safaris, Hotel reservations for
weekend holidays, flight booking, Visa application, holiday vehicle
arrangements, and travel insurance for our volunteers. It's a company that embarks on
a thrilling adventure with Meaningful Travel, a premier travel company in
Uganda, as we unveil our exciting lineup of upcoming tours and extraordinary
destinations within this breathtaking East African gem. From the iconic
savannahs, our meticulously crafted tours promise to immerse you in Uganda’s
diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultures. Traverse the Great Rift Valley,
witness the Big Five and Ugly Five in their natural habitat, and engage with
local communities in immersive cultural experiences. With Meaningful Travel,
you’re not just exploring Uganda; you’re discovering its heart and soul. Join
us on a transformative journey that showcases Uganda’s beauty and leaves you
with memories to last a lifetime. Travel dreams into reality.” The beautiful
thing about booking a safari with us, is all the cost recovery is donated back to
the organization to keep one child in school. That is why we call it meaningful
travel "traveling with a purpose".
Wish list
To prepare for
your work here, there are a few things you can do. We kindly ask you
to check if you have any school materials (stationery, Schoolbooks -written in
English-, pencils, toys, notebooks, rubbers, etc.) or electronics (laptop,
tablet, Camera, smartphone/phone) you no longer use.
Unfortunately, resources are minimal
here in Uganda, and any support is much appreciated. Your old schoolbooks can
be given a second life for a great cause!
Do you want
to be a volunteer superstar? You can multiply your impact by setting up a fundraiser.
Necessities like food, school tuition,
ongoing School construction, or healthcare require funds. We understand that
you can’t do it all, but maybe your friends, family, or colleagues can help you
to make your visit even more impactful. We assure you; that it will be
everyone’s best-spent money! Need help or materials for
promotion? Let us know, and we will
provide you with promotional materials or you can access them from our social
media or Google Drive.
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