Location
  • Uganda
    • Mukono
Length
2 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
18
Age Max
75
Timeframe
Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Apartment Guesthouse Host Family Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)

Pricing

Starting Price
200
Price Details
After you have been accepted into the project by the volunteer coordinator, then you will have to pay a placement confirmation donation $200 booking fee. Since we started, the numbers of volunteers applying has increased by each year.

Unfortunately only a third of those who promise that they will come, have in fact arrived. The wastage in volunteer coordinators’ time and the fact that volunteers who could have come were refused due to holding the space for someone else who didn’t turn up, has forced us implement this. We hope that by implementing the fee, only serious volunteers will thus secure the chance to volunteer in our projects.
What's Included
Accommodation Airport Transfers Meals Transportation Wifi
What's Not Included
Airport Transfers Equipment Travel Insurance Visa
Sep 18, 2019
Aug 02, 2022
16 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Are you looking at doing something more remarkable on your holiday? Ssamba Foundation engages volunteers in locally-run community, conservation, teaching, health care, building and sports projects and so much more around Uganda.

Volunteers contributes a lot at everything that happens at Ssamba Foundation. We couldn’t do it without them! There are many ways to volunteer your time, skills and talents to help out in Uganda.

Depending on the season, Ssamba Foundation has a list of much needed services which can be provided by volunteers within our projects around Uganda.

The volunteer placements are customizable for individual travelers, students, professionals, families, groups, or anyone with the desire to volunteer in deserving communities in Uganda.

The time you spend volunteering with us and the projects in which you will be involved are all geared to your skills and interests, and the community’s needs.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in this rural community
  • Promote sustainable community livelihoods
  • Two days free safari or sightseeing tour
  • Make friends for life and Full culture immersion
  • Improve the living standards of local people

Related Programs

Program Reviews

4.69 Rating
based on 13 reviews
  • 5 rating 92.31%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 7.69%
  • Impact 4.7
  • Support 4.7
  • Fun 4.7
  • Value 4.7
  • Safety 4.55
Showing 1 - 8 of 13 reviews
Default avatar
Bianka
1/5
No, I don't recommend this program

IT'S a SCAM, DO NOT VOLUNTEER or BOOK travels!

Volunteering:
I was volunteering during January for 3 weeks at Ssamba Foundation in January 2022. I wanted to donate my time to a smaller family based organization instead of a bigger company and I regret that decision!!
Nothing was ever organized, no one could present a schedule or what we will do and when, we had days that no one showed up. If you are thinking about volunteering stay away from this foundation!

Safari wise:
Isaac is claiming that he is 'cooperating' with a tour company so he can transfer the responsibility of canceling/holding money back etc. to the non existing company.
I spent 3 weeks there (originally I planned 4 weeks) but had to leave 1 week earlier because of work. I could participate on the Jinja tour and 1 safari but because of my early leave I couldn't join to the 2nd safari (by that time I already paid for it).
Isaac said that let's wait for others to join the tour so I can get back the full amount ,because if I cancel I will lose 50% of the money (that detail was shared only after I paid) and that would have been fine with me since I really did cancel.
In the beginning Isaac pretended to help with the refund but after he came up with all kinds of excuses and fake stories and when I asked for the "company" contacts to handle it myself he is completely disappeared.
Since January he still owes me money and ignoring all my texts. As I can see from other comments he has stolen money from other volunteers as well.

He is also faking good reviews with different users (like Suntrack Advantures ) and commenting positive things so it is a really well organized scam.

I advise everyone to stay away from Isaac, the organization and everyone associated with the activities since his surrounding (family, local volunteers etc.) know about this and supporting him. Volunteers for them are only moneybags and everything that Isaac does is only for the profit.

33 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Julie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

volunteering in Uganda was an amazing life changing experience

My name is Julie; I am an American university student who volunteered with Ssamba Foundation this past summer. Isaac asked me to leave a review by sharing my experience with his organization, I am glad to do so. Like other participants who shared their experiences here, volunteering in Uganda was an amazing life changing experience, and I would 100% do it again given the opportunity.

I was nervous going to a place so different from anywhere I had ever been before, without my family or anyone I knew, for four weeks, but the support from Isaac made it seem possible. From the get-go, he answered all my questions by e-mail and WhatsApp. He sent me all the information I needed to know, so that I felt prepared for my trip to Uganda.

While in Uganda, I stayed with his family at Kalaji, a small town north of Mukono. Isaac also arranged the safari trips for the volunteer team to Queen Elizabeth and Murchison falls national parks, we also visited Jinja to see the source of river Nile.

I worked with a microcredit program with local women groups in the surrounding villages of Kalaji, helping them design business plans. I was able to meet and work with the local people, as well as with other volunteers from all over the world.

I would recommend Ssamba Foundation for anyone looking to volunteer abroad for the first time! The best moment of the experience- its free, I paid 200$ donation to confirm my stay and that was all (we paid for safaris separately). I covered my flights, visas, insurance and all logistics of the trip.

Thank you Isaac and your team for the giving me the opportunity to serve and explore Uganda.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I rode on a bodaboda motorcyle, it was fun and scary at the same time.
46 people found this review helpful.
Making bricks in Uganda
Patrick
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I had an amazing time and really enjoyed this project

Having spent the last couple of months on this project in Uganda, I can honestly say it has been one of the best and most rewarding experiences of my life. The location of the projects is fantastic, a remote Ugandan village covered in gardens and farmlands, the chance to mix with the locals and get a real feel for Ugandan culture.

The home life is basic but is a welcome relief and is what traveling and project work like this is all about. Getting to eat local food direct from the land was fantastic and being able to cook as a family was great and a real bonding activity. The people you live with become your best friends and family and you get to experience so much together.

I had an amazing time and really enjoyed this project, it was a culture shock when we first arrived however Isaac briefed us on what to do and where to go. I recommend future volunteers make sure that they carry more than enough insects’ repellant

I can't recommend this project enough and look forward to coming back again soon! If you want to experience real Ugandan culture, make friends for life and contribute to a project that is really helping change people’s life and the environment then you should choose Ssamba Foundation, Isaac is doing some amazing work in his community!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I recommend future volunteers make sure that they carry more than enough insects’ repellant
54 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Suzanne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I absolutely LOVE this organization!!

The connections I made with other volunteers and the community members will never be forgotten. Mr. Ssamba (the founder) is incredibly kind and caring and made me feel so welcome and safe. I did the community outreach program with other local and western volunteers and this was awesome because the children and the women were so sweet and welcoming.

This experience truly made me a better person, taught me new things and has allowed me to see the world differently. I was able to discover a completely new culture and community.

Isaac offered us unbelievable support during our stay. Every concern or query we raised was dealt with immediately and he and his family went out of their way to make sure all our needs were met and we were comfortable and happy on all levels - offering physical and emotional support whenever needed.

Sandy was fantastic! She made the most amazing meals, served us tea, took care of us when we were ill and was there for us all day every day and night with a smile on her face.

Isaac also organized our Murchison Falls Safari which was fantastic, memorable and affordable! Very well organized, and wonderful sightseeing.

Overall this is one of this is a great organization making real positive impact. Highly recommended to anyone interested in visiting Uganda!!

61 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Natálie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic Time in Uganda

It’s honestly hard to describe accurately in words my time at the hospital in Mukono – it was an incredible learning experience. From the moment I landed in Uganda, I felt very welcome and medical staff was so helpful.

Dr. Samson was a fantastic source of information and advice during my stay. I had a fantastic time at the volunteer home too, all the volunteers I met were nice and I have kept in touch with some.

The best part of the program is that- this organization is locally run by some of the most experienced team and it’s really affordable. I have no word than thanking to all support of Beacon of Hope Uganda.

If you are planning to do some volunteer work in Uganda. Please talk to Isaac, he will be very helpful. On top of organizing my volunteer placement, he also arranged a budget safari for me and the other girls at the home.

71 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tamicka
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I really enjoyed my time in Uganda with Beacon of Hope

I really enjoyed my time in Uganda with Beacon of Hope. The staff is wonderful and the teaching project at the Kasala school was a great experience.

The project is amazing and the kids are so much fun to work with. I really enjoyed doing the arts classes with the kids, they are so creative.

The safari was great experience too. Mukono is such an amazing city, especially the night life.

My first week with Beacon of Hope Uganda, was a very busy one, the amount of information I learnt in such a short period of time was astounding, and yet I thrived to want to learn more.

Helping the art class and learning more about social problems in Uganda was really humbling. I cannot wait to do another volunteer project with you.

Couldn't recommend BoHU more!! Thanks Isaac, Sandra and the entire team of Beacon of Hope Uganda.

What was your funniest moment?
Riding the boda boda taxi deep in villages was my funniest moment.
73 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Cat
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

full of new experiences

The past four weeks have been so jammed full of new experiences, relationships, exploration, busyness and just general good times that I’ve found it really hard to get the right words for this experience. I volunteered with Beacon of Hope Uganda and I think, not only from my experience but from word of mouth that it’s the best local NGO in Uganda.

Beacon of Hope Uganda was started up by Isaac Ssamba in 2006 when he was just 19!! Isaac and his team have built, Beacon of Hope Uganda into a truly welcoming and rewarding volunteer program with a number of grassroots impactful projects (schools, health clinic and women projects).

Speaking to Isaac about his work and passions was one of my favorite things, the way he spoke so enthusiastically and passionately was very inspiring. Thanks Beacon of Hope Uganda for this wondering experience and making me fall in love with Uganda, your home.

70 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Michele
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Truly Outstanding Experience

I'm Michele from Switzerland, I'm 21 years, I volunteered at Children Orphanage home, outside Kampala. I stayed with a local host family. The family was hospitable and always around chatting and sharing meals.

The project was outstanding and the team at Beacon of Hope Uganda is awesome. They helped me and the other volunteers in every aspect of our trip. They explained the Ugandan culture, taking us on a 4 day trip around the country visiting many historical sites, and a wildlife safari.

Beacon of Hope Uganda is an all around wonderful organization. From the first day you could really take charge of your own experience.

I am sure it’s the perfect organization for anyone who is travelling to Uganda for the first time as well as experienced travelers. I really loved the experience.

What would you improve about this program?
Its truly a great organization.
75 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers