• FAST FACTS

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• We are not a typical ‘Gap Year’ provider! We hope to give you an experience which mutually benefits you and the project, we also hope you will do something positive to help on your return.
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• Read more to find out you can help us whilst volunteering in Uganda....
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• Location: Kira Farm, 15 miles north of Kampala, Uganda
• Activities: Getting involved in the daily workings of Kira Farm, participate in lessons, provide support to the students, visit nearby villages and interact with ‘locals’, visit surrounding towns and Kampala, opportunity to go on safari.
• Transport: Airport pick up
• Accommodation: Kira Farm Guest Lodge when on Kira. Other hotel accommodation will be arranged when you leave the site during your trip.
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• What’s included?
• Before you depart: pre-departure support, travel visa and medical advice, equipment advice, and an Amigos volunteer t-shirt.
• In county: Airport pick up, in country transfers, food and accommodation (when on Kira), local orientation, in country emergency support and UK contacts.

Volunteer Kira – Programme Overview

‘Volunteer Kira’ offers the opportunity to volunteer in Uganda, supporting the work of our NGO in predominantly small, rural communities to help achieve the development ambitions of young people. Amigos endeavours to make possible their aspirations through academic, vocational and holistic life skills education and providing these individuals with skills and confidence to set up and sustain their livelihoods and their family. Evidently they face enormous challenges, and it is through the support from our volunteers that we are able to overcome some of the difficulties. We hope that Amigos volunteers get involved within the dynamic activity at Kira Farm and neighbouring villages, and be able to see the positive outcomes in the rural areas we target.

Volunteer Kira - The Volunteer's Role

Amigos hopes that our volunteers will support the charity before and after their visit. Whilst in Uganda, our volunteers will participate in the lessons and activities on Kira Farm, whether that is sharing their professional or academic skills, lending time to listen and engage with our students or just simply getting stuck in with day to day activities; all can help to inspire them to reach their goals.

Volunteers with specific skills, for example, home economics, tailoring, agricultural, mechanical or business related are  encouraged to contribute their knowledge and are offered the opportunity to teach our students and strengthen and reinforce our trainers’ knowledge. This is a great way for volunteers to exercise their skills whilst bringing something new to Kira Farm and the local communities. After your visit to Uganda, we hope that you will remember our work and your achievements and continue to support us.

The options and activities available to you depend on your length of stay and your own personal objectives. There may be opportunities for you to utilise your skills in other ways, so we encourage you to inform us of your vision.

Volunteer Requirements and Eligibility

Applicants must be aged 18 or over if travelling alone. If travelling as an adult-supervised group, then we can accept volunteers from the age of 14 years, and we also welcome family groups. Furthermore, volunteers must be available for the full length of the proposed dates. (We offer greater flexibility if a school group is travelling). This is to ensure smooth running of trips with multiple volunteers and helps to keep costs low.

All applicants must be in good health and we advise and trust that all applicants take responsibility for the necessary medication, vaccinations and travel insurance prior to departing and for the duration of the trip.

Is This Programme For Me?

The programme is designed to expose our volunteers to the academic, vocational and social training given at KFTC and the repercussions of this as our students return home. It is a flexible programme that is ideal for volunteers who are new to development as well as accommodating for those more ‘experienced’ volunteers who may have skills and attributes they can bring to the people and programme.

Amigos have taken volunteers to Uganda for many years, with the objective to introduce you to the realities the people of Uganda face. We do not claim to offer a ‘holiday’, but an ‘experience’. Don’t let this put you off; we ensure that your basic needs are taken care of, and you will be welcomed with open arms by our staff and students who will go to every effort to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible. We have many returning volunteers, and every volunteer expresses a positive and life changing experience.

If this is your first visit to Uganda, your interpretations of Ugandan life have most probably been shaped by travel literature, documentaries and news bulletins. Some of this will be accurate, other parts may have been dramatised or distorted, so it is important to keep an open mind about the people and place until you can experience it for yourself. You will gain most from your visit by taking the time to listen and learn. It can be an overwhelming experience to witness this level of poverty and need for the first time, but remember that your support with Amigos will help to make a practical and immediate difference. You can’t cure all the hardship or help every child, but you can play an important role in changing lives for the better.

Why not check out some of our recent volunteer's blogs for a better insight into the 'Volunteer Kira' experience...

Alison Berridge

Sam and Christine Chandler

FAQ’s about our ‘Volunteer Kira’ Programme

Can I really make a difference?

Yes! Your presence will have a direct impact, allowing for exchange of cultures and unique ways of life and providing you bring positive energy with you then you can help bring hope to the students and communities you interact with. The greatest difference made could be on your return, and how you chose to use the experience in the future to help Amigos.

Am I eligible to apply? Do I need any particular skills?

Providing you are 18 or have adult supervision and are physically fit, then you are welcomed onto the programme. We don’t require any specific skills but feel you will benefit more if you have a skill or knowledge to offer. If you are able to offer any particular skills, please inform us. It may be that we utilise your skills on site!

How does the application process work?

The process is not competitive. We ask you to contact Phil Pugsley directly so both your and our objectives can be discussed. Providing we can offer you a programme that meets your requirements and you meet ours then you will be welcomed onto the programme. There is an online form that will need to be downloaded and returned to us by post.

When does the programme run?

We hope to cater for individuals and groups, and so try to be flexible with our programme. It is sensible that we try to ‘group’ our individual applicants on to the same trip to keep costs to the minimum, therefore it is best to contact Phil to find out whether there is a programme running at a convenient time for yourself. Generally speaking, we can run the programme all year round and for duration of your choice.

Aside from the programme fee, what other costs do I need to consider?

Our programme cost does NOT include the following; 

-      Flights

-      Travel insurance

-      Medication and Vaccinations

-      Visas

-      Local transport

-      Personal spending

-      Optional ‘Rural Uganda’ trip (Safari, and three night stay in the north of    Uganda)

What do I need to do to get prepared?

Once you have committed yourself to the programme we will send you our  Field Manual, which includes all the information that you may need leading up to your departure and during your stay. We will always be contactable over the phone, so feel free to ask for Phil Pugsley.

In terms of documents, you will need to arrange your flights, travel, medical and visa documents, any medicines and vaccinations. Your visa is easily obtained on arrival at Entebbe airport. We are able to advise you if you need any guidance, but unfortunately we cannot organise any of the above for you.

What should I bring with me?

The Field Manual will contain a comprehensive list of kit that we recommend you to bring; this will include travel and medical documents (and photocopies of), any required medication and clothing. We recommend that you avoid bringing expensive items, such as watches, jewellery etc. If you chose to bring an expensive camera please ensure that you have comprehensive insurance cover.

Where will I be living?

Whilst at Kira farm you will be staying in our Guest Lodge which provides comfortable and clean, ensuite bedrooms. Off site we will arrange accommodation in the towns you visit. These will usually comprise of clean basic hotels or lodges.

What will my schedule be?

Volunteer schedules take on many forms! It entirely depends on the length of your stay and what you hope to achieve from the programme. An example itinerary is shown below. If however, you hope to utilise your skills on site then we will accommodate this in your schedule. Please only use this as a guide.

Example of a two week itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe. Take arranged transport to Kira Farm
2. Day 2 – 7: Spend time on Kira Farm. This will include a welcome celebration by our staff and students and each day will bring an opportunity for you to experience the classes that we offer to our students and time to interact with everyone on Kira and the neighbouring villages. You will be offered the chance to visit the capital, Kampala, for some sightseeing and shopping – which we encourage you to use public transport as it is a great experience!
3. Day 8 – 11: You have the opportunity to travel north individually or with the group and meet our graduates, student’s families and sponsored children. You may also go to Murchison Game Park to experience a river safari and game drive. Overnight accommodation will be provided in Masindi and/or the national park.
4. Day 12: Head back to Kira Farm and shopping in Kampala.
   
5. Day 14: Leave for Entebbe. Arrive in the UK.
   
   

(Callum and Freya went to Uganda with their Mum and Dad - see what they throught here)

Is Uganda safe?

The majority of your stay will be in the safe confines of Kira Farm – a 22 acre site. On day trips or when you leave Kira, we wil only take you where we are confident that you will be reasonably safe. We will ensure that you always have a guide or team member with you and providing you follow some simple advice then risk is kept to a minimum.

Opportunistic crime such as burglaries, muggings and drive-by bag snatches do occur. Take extra security precautions when going out on foot after dark. Always be conscious of the risks of making you a target for muggers and pickpockets; for example by carrying large sums of cash in the streets or wearing expensive jewellery and watches.

In urban areas you should keep car doors locked and windows shut when driving. There have been a number of thefts of personal property from cars and taxis while stationary in traffic. Ensure that no valuables are left visible in vehicles, whether parked or while the vehicle is in use.

Will there be an opportunity to travel in the surrounding region?

You are free to travel before and after the official trip dates, just let us know your plans so that we can make arrangements. There are many exciting places to visit in Uganda, including Lake victoria, Jinja and many others, so it is worth doing your research before booking your flights.

To travel within the official programme dates depends on your length of stay and your objectives of the trip; our programme includes travel outside of Kira but if you want to travel independently of the group and partake in outside activities then please inform us so that we can make arrangements for you.

Note that whilst participating in activities and travel that are not part of the programme these costs and organisation of, will have to be covered by you.

How and when do I pay?

Your programme fee consists of a non refundable deposit to secure your place on the trip. This will be 10% of the total programme fee, which is deducted from the total paid. The rest of the fee can be paid in instalments or as one payment. Please contact our office to discuss your favoured method of payment.

What happens if I have to cancel?

We recognise that sometimes unforeseen circumstances mean you have to cancel your trip. We are able to refund your programme fee excluding the deposit (which is non refundable).

Next Steps

1. Apply now: Applicants can apply by downloading the form on our website and returning it to our Barnstaple office by post. The application requires two references. Volunteer Application Form
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3. Call us: contact Phil Pugsley at our office on 01271 377664 to find out more information and to see whether we can tailor a project to suit you! Then you may apply via our online form.

Assessment and Briefing

We will contact you once your application form has been filled in for an informal telephone interview. This will give you an opportunity to raise any questions you may have, and to clarify what you will experience when in Uganda. Everyone on the team has experienced what you are about to, so will be able to give you first hand advice and thus be able to answer your questions thoroughly. The interview is designed so that you find out just as much about the programme as we do about you; it is your chance to find out if the programme is really for you and for us to see how suitable you are for the trip. It might be that you can offer skills to the programme and we can tailor a project for you.

Training and support:

Support: we will provide you with pre departure support by putting you into contact with a returned volunteer who can answer any questions you may have. Information regarding health, vaccinations, visas, kit, flights and language are all provided in the field manual that we email you in the lead up to your departure. This is to reduce our administration costs, and to maximise the donations that go to Kira Farm.

We may also provide a short course which takes place during an afternoon leading up to your trip. (This will depend on the number of volunteers on each trip). This is an opportunity for you to meet the volunteers that will be travelling with you and also gives you an insight in to what is expected of you on the programme. It is an opportunity for you to express what you hope to get out of the project itself. Once you have applied, we will inform you of the date of the course and strongly recommend that you come.

On the short course, we ask our volunteers to carefully evaluate their reasons for organising a trip with Amigos. Consider the following questions as it will encourage you to focus on your goals for the project, and will help the team at Amigos ensure that you are given the opportunity to achieve your goals. On return, it will clarify the skills you used and gained.

-      What do I want to achieve?

-      What do I hope to gain?

-      What can I give?

-      Why am I interested in this project?

-      How can I use this experience in the future to benefit Amigos?

Outcomes of the short course: by the end of the pre-departure training day you (the volunteer) will:

-      Know who will be there to support you before, during and after the trip and how to contact them

-      Have met previous volunteers and those that will travel with you

-      Know what to expect and what is expected of you

-      Understand your responsibilities and our responsibilities to you

-      Better understand why you are volunteering and how it can be advantageous to you in the future

-      Know the practical aspects of the project, e.g. equipment and important documentation that must be organised

-      Have raised any concerns or questions that you may have regarding any aspect of the trip

We look forward to hearing from you!