Testimonials		Programme Overview                           With our extensive experience in development work and education, we are able to ensure that NGOs and volunteers benefit from a genuinely meaningful and worthwhile experience, preparing and supporting both volunteers and our partner organisations. Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to make a difference. You get to contribute your skills and ideas in the developing world, which often leads to new innovative solutions to development problems. But most of our volunteers say that they gain much more from the experience than they expected. Volunteering through VSN can bring many positive benefits: Personal growth – you’ll face daily challenges working and living in a culture entirely different from your own, which often encourage you to reevaluate beliefs and values, and develop your patience and communication skills! Global understanding – many volunteers find their immersion in the local culture one of the most enriching parts of their experience, and gain a much deeper understanding of development challenges and issues which have a lasting impact on their personal and professional goals. Professional growth – our volunteers say that their work here was a great opportunity to develop their skills, learn new ones, and have the creative freedom to take initiative.   Career enhancement – a volunteer placement overseas looks great on a CV/resume. Prospective employers value the cultural diversity and personal qualities gained from the experience. Furthermore, it can be a crucial asset for people who are thinking about a career in development.   Connections – the connections you make with the local and international staff and other volunteers can lead to lifelong friendships, as well as professional networking.   VSN offers a unique opportunity to contribute your skills effectively and positively by: Matching skills and interests to our partners’ needs Using our experience in development work to offer professional support to our partners and volunteers Providing crucial cultural training and orientation Offering in-country personal support and advice whenever you need it Other benefits of volunteering with VSN include: Personal and professional support before, during and after your placement Cultural training, orientation and 24 hour assistance Volunteer handbook and online resources to help you prepare Fundraising tips to help you cover the cost of your placement Locally run projects that genuinely need volunteers Flexible start dates and duration, from 2 weeks to 3 months Safe and secure accommodation Assistance with in-country research projects In-country travel advice and opportunities – safaris, white-water rafting, gorilla trekking, bungee-jumping, and more Affordable and highly competitive costs Letter of reference/completion, and follow-up support upon request Who we work with VSN support locally-run organisations in Uganda who work mostly in the following sectors: Education Livelihoods Community and social development Social enterprise We partner with a range of local, national and international organisations, including NGOs, community cooperatives, and social enterprises, which have been carefully selected and assessed based on the effectiveness of their programmes in benefiting their target community. Their work within these sectors can vary from hands-on education provision to vulnerable people, to vocational and small business skills training, advocacy and awareness, conservation initiatives, psychosocial support and care work, HIV/AIDS sensitization, agriculture enterprise and microfinance. To learn more about the work and needs of our partner organisations, please check out the Partner Profiles section. How we work After successful completion of the selection and assessment process, we support our partners by providing strategic planning assistance where requested, and assist them in identifying human resource needs and planning for volunteer placements.   We welcome applications from prospective volunteers from various backgrounds, skills, ages and experience.  We conduct a thorough application assessment and reference checks, and match volunteers’ skills, interests and experience with the needs requested by our partner organisations to come up with an effective and suitable role for both parties. Upon confirmation of a placement, you’ll receive a handbook full of valuable information to help you prepare for your placement. We make all the necessary arrangements in-country for you. Once you arrive, we conduct a thorough orientation day which includes cultural training – most of our volunteers say this was vital to their effectiveness in their partner organisation.  We then hold an orientation day at the partner organisation you’ll be working for. Volunteers then begin their placement at the organisation, working towards specific objectives, and accountable to their supervisor at that placement, with ongoing personal and professional support from us as needed. Depending upon a volunteer’s level of experience and skills, they may: Work alongside local colleagues, sharing skills, ideas and knowledge Train local people in their field of expertise Get involved in hands-on service delivery VSN offers personal and professional support and advice to volunteers throughout the placement. We hold debriefing and problem-solving sessions with volunteers (as well as NGOs), provide safe and secure accommodation, and are always on hand when you need help or advice. We can also assist volunteers in planning trips and activities around Uganda. At the end of the placement, volunteers (as well as our partner organisations) complete a final evaluation, and exit debriefing. After you leave, we can continue to support you as needed. We frequently assist former volunteers with references and job searches, and most stay in touch socially! What we need We need enthusiastic and motivated volunteers who are eager to learn, flexible, empathic, and have a strong desire to help others. Some of the skills and experience we need includes: teaching and tutoring, project management, business administration, communications, marketing, IT and computing, social work and counselling, report writing, administrative support and secretarial skills, agriculture and conservation, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, democracy and governance, vocational skills, tailoring and craft making, sports, music, dance and drama, database design and management, accounting, childcare, photography and videography, and youth work. The level of expertise you’ll need can vary considerably, depending upon the partner organisation. Some of our partners’ needs are often more basic than you might think, for example IT training may involve teaching someone how to use MS Word, so don’t be discouraged if you think you don’t have sufficient experience! Please give us as much detail as you can about your skills, interests and experience in the application form, to enable us to work out where your skills will be put to best use.   Programme Costs Cost for 4 weeks - US $1400 Cost for 6 weeks - US $1750 Cost for 8 weeks - US $2100 Cost for 10 weeks - US $2450 Cost for 12 weeks - US $2800 N.B.:- If you are already in Uganda and would like to volunteer with us, please email us for information and discounted prices at: volunteeruganda@ymail.com or info@volunteersupportnetwork.org. Programme costs include: administration fee; advice and support before, during and after your placement; in-country orientation, training and 24 hour emergency assistance; volunteer handbook and suggested further reading and resources; professional support and advice, regular meetings with your coordinator and problem-solving sessions;  airport pick-up; transfer to placement; shared accommodation throughout placement; breakfast and dinner throughout placement; in-country travel advice; letter of completion/reference and follow-up support. Programme costs do not include: your flight, travel insurance, medical and visa costs, onward travel, trips, lunches. Sightseeing excursions may be added at extra cost. You’ll find that our 4 week program costs are approximately US $200 more expensive than the cheapest options. It is worth considering what you want from the program and the level of support you would like. VSN provides volunteers with full in-country support throughout, so whenever you have a problem or question we’re right here for you, not on the end of a phone in another country!  Please feel free to look through our photo gallery to get a taste of the work we do, the environment, and the accommodation. Requirements For more information about the requirements for volunteering, please click here. Application Process Please click here to read about our Application Process. FAQs Please click here to see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Name: Kate Age: 22 Hometown: New South Wales, Australia Volunteer job: Health Educator and Teaching Assistant Kate says: “VSN was very comprehensive in their support - well organised, personable, passionate about providing a positive experience for both volunteers and the placement organisation, good local knowledge/experience, . …Read More.