Bwindi kids and rural schools volunteer program Uganda

Are you enthusiastic and passionate about helping kids and making learning fun? Then the Bwindi kids and rural schools program is just for you...

What will I be doing?

You'll be living and working closely with local communities bordering the stunning Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the remote southwestern corner of Uganda, and this particular opportunity will involve you working across a few primary and secondary schools, plus activities with kids outside school hours.

One of the primary schools is a lovely little community-run establishment with boarding, and their aim is to try and push the quality of education up a notch, plus look after under-privileged orphans and Pygmy Batwa children. Amongst this tribe, there are very few kids that have experienced formal education at all yet, but now you can help make these experiences for them and the other kids better.

As a kids and schools volunteer you'll be working across a diverse range of educational activities, using all your skills and experiences to support teachers, to help educate the local teachers themselves, running events, helping promote schools and education itself, and much much more. It's not about replacing local teachers but building their capacity to make learning engaging and interesting for the kids.

All volunteer placements are completely bespoke and tailored to individual's specific skills, interests and level of experience, as well as the needs of local projects at the time.

During your volunteer placement you'll be well integrated into the local community and will play a valuable part in helping disadvantaged rural people look beyond today for a better quality of life and giving Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, its Mountain Gorillas and all the other wildlife a real future.

Where will I live?

We want to make your trip as comfortable as possible and give you a nice home to live in whilst you're generously sharing your time to help the rural communities bordering Bwindi. You'll live in a shared volunteer house situated within a quiet little village and there are fantastic sweeping views of Bwindi forest right from the garden. It's remote and there's no electricity or piped water here so we run on solar power and harvest bathing water. It's a truly eco experience with a bit of a luxury edge!

Who can go?

Our range of volunteer conservation roles to fill is very diverse and we need lots of enthusiastic individuals with a range of skills and interests to make a difference. The only thing we ask is that you're over 18 and have the right attitude to volunteering and living in rural Africa.

Free time & travel:

There are just so many activities to suit the different interests of our volunteers right on our doorstep. In your free time, you might enjoy a pretty challenging hike or perhaps a more chilled out walk amongst the gorgeous hills whilst you marvel at sweeping views of great the lakes, volcanoes and Bwindi forest. You can go on a trek through the rainforest to a breathtakingly beautiful waterfall or just simply bask in the garden with a good book.

Gorilla tracking is of course a hugely popular activity when travelling to Bwindi, a truly exhilarating and an unforgettable experience. The tracking points are literally 10 minutes from your house and we can get you there easily. Your passion may be to spot incredible and colourful species of birds, or see some of the ancient indigenous trees. Maybe the history and culture surrounding the Batwa Pygmy tribe will completely engross you and you just want to spend some time with the people, learning about their fascinating way of life. It's a really sociable place to live so you'll probably spend loads of time making new friends and just living like a local.

For those that feel a travel urge, just a small journey away (possible on your weekends) you'll find yourself in hot African savannah where tree climbing lions live, and buffalo, elephant and antelopes wander. Or perhaps you'd prefer to visit the huge snowcapped mountains of the Rwenzori's for a really challenging hike and exploring forests in search of chimpanzees on the way… it's a country of incredible contrast, diversity and a true blend of Africa.

How long can I stay and when can I join?

You can join us from just two weeks up to one year, although the longer the better to really get stuck in! Average duration is around 3 months.

We have intake dates throughout the year - every other Tuesday, but a limited number of places available each month.

Program Fee

Big Beyond volunteer placements are well-organised full-board expeditions and there is a program fee to join our team in Uganda. Prices start from $1595 and includes everything to make your experience a seamless and unforgettable one: comfortable accomodation, 3 meals a day, in-country transfers and local transport, pre-departure pack, orientation and basic language training, personal placement desing, excellent on-ground project management, 24/7 support, local SIM card plus a few more bits.

For any queries don't hesitate to get in touch with us on: +44800 6446203 or by email: answers@bigbeyond.org.

Check out our website www.bigbeyond.org for more info and a wide range of other programs