Remarkable Volunteer Placements in Uganda

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.

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.

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!

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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.