Volunteer Program in Uganda

International Volunteers Network programs provide an opportunity to do something so rewarding, that we guarantee you will never ever forget it.

Have you considered a volunteer vacation?

Why not spend your summer vacation, school holiday or universities break with us? Make a lasting impact that changes lives and provides you one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

The key to ending poverty and creating harmony throughout the world begins with each individual person and how they choose to live their lives. One person may not be able to change the World, but they can change a life!

• Experience the happiness, struggles, aspirations and dreams of the people you assist – all while discovering the beauty, history and culture of a foreign location.
• Work on social, medical, conservation, community development projects side-by-side with members of the community and actually see the results of your hard work.
• Expect to immerse yourself in the community – eat local food and drink, learn common phrases, listen to local music, really get to know the people you serve. See what really makes a destination truly unique – the people, not just the tourist sites.

If you have an open mind, a dedication to fostering cultural exchanges, a passion to help and a sense of adventure, Traveling with a Purpose is perfect for you!

Our programs serve the most vulnerable community members in Wakiso District and Mpigi Districts of Uganda. We offer community development projects including Widows House Constructions, and repairs, home repairs, health/HIV/AIDS, youth and child education, water and sanitation (including well construction), vocational skills development, or other skills that can help us transform the community.

With our volunteer program we allow you to discover the wonders of African in more in particular Uganda while doing meaningful and rewarding community work. This is a great opportunity to explore life in rural Africa, live and work amongst the locals and realize one person can make a difference.

International Volunteers Network – IVN collaborates with those organization whose efforts are created and directed to address the enormous challenges faced by millions of African children who have either been orphaned by AIDS or live with parents who are sick or dying from AIDS-related illnesses.

Established in 2005, this unique organization has joined hands to share an international focus on children in Africa by working together to increase the capacity of local communities to provide support services to orphans and vulnerable children in Africa and more specifically in Uganda.

The goals of IVN are to strengthen the capacity of African communities to advocate, care for and support children impacted by HIV/AIDS and prevent further spread of HIV; improve orphans and other vulnerable children's welfare by increasing access to education, adequate food, psychosocial support, basic health services, and legal rights, and to catalyze a global partnership to expand the resources available to achieve these goals.

IVN is based on three fundamental principles: it is child-focused, community-based, and committed to ensure that their programmes are integrated. Since HIV/AIDS-related problems cannot be adequately addressed by any single solution or intervention, many different interventions are needed to respond to the broad range of needs of children, their families and communities. Amongst other projects, IVN provides technical support in community mobilization to community-based organizations working with people affected by HIV and AIDS in order to gather support for children made vulnerable by the disease. It also has an advocacy policy, seeking to strengthen voices from a range of organizations to speak out on behalf of HIV/AIDS affected children and reduce the stigma associated with the pandemic.

While creating strong alliances and networks with other local NGOs and community-based organizations to scale up successful programs and interventions that ensure a brighter, better future for orphans and vulnerable children, at the global level IVN is striving to be the lead partnership organization of international NGOs mobilizing additional resources to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS on millions of African children and their families. IVN has many opportunities for mission groups, families, couples or individuals who are interested in helping AIDS orphans and widows in the heart of Africa. There are opportunities in all aspects of IVN's operations. Anyone with a heart to reach out and serve orphans and widows in Africa will find exciting projects to bring God's love to these deserving people.

Whether you are a Construction worker, a painter, an administrator, a manager, an evangelist, a pastor or an individual with no specific skill - your time and knowledge and skill will be put to great use! Some specific areas of need are listed below but IVN is open to whatever your interests as you desire to support the children of Uganda.

Our goal is to empower local communities through the volunteer's skills and financial donations. We believe that local communities are in the best position to determine their needs, and we provide volunteers to help them achieve their goals.

NO APPLICATION FEE IS REQUIRED WHEN APPLYING TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. ALL YOU WILL BE REQUIRED IS TO PAY YOUR PROGRAM FEE AS FOLLOW:

• Cost for 1 week – USD $150
• Cost for 2 weeks – USD $300
• Cost for 1 month - USD $600

Our program fees include the following services:

• Prompt customer service answering your call and emails.
• Pre-departure Orientation Guide. Includes detailed travel, safety & cultural information and many tips that will make your trip planning easier.
• Detailed Fundraising Guide that will help you raise the funds needed to travel, as well as provide donations to the project. Ask us about a Widget
• Accommodations: Home stay, shared volunteer residence, guesthouses. Safe, clean, comfortable local housing, inspected by our local project coordinator.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Special meals at request.
• Airport meet and greet by our IVN project coordinator (At any time, any day!)
• Guidance and support of a local project coordinator, 24/7 in case of emergency
• Orientation/city briefing on arrival by our IVN project coordinator.
• Placement in a quality project, allowing you to maximize your time and efforts in a good cause.
• Transportation to project site with our IVN project coordinator. Includes introduction to local staff and community members with whom you will be working with.
• Departure transfer by our IVN project coordinator.
• A Feedback page on our IVN website with pictures of your trip.
• The Presidents Volunteer Service Award lapel pin (Bronze, Silver or Gold)
• Personalized Presidents Volunteer Service Award certificate of achievement.
• Letter of completion from International Volunteers Network

Not included: Airfare and travel expenses; passports, entry/customs requirements, all applicable visa fees, airport departure taxes, travel medical insurance, meals outside the program, sightseeing and free-time expenses, items of personal nature (such as laundry, medicine, emails/phone calls.

All applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

1. Complete the Application Form: Fill out the online application form below. http:www.ivnuganda.net Try to fill out as much details about yourself and interest to allow for a successful placement since we do not know you .Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program within two working days. 2. Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance. NO APPLICATION FEE IS REQUIRED WHEN APPLYING TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAM.

All applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

1. Complete the Application Form: Fill out the online application form below. http:www.ivnuganda.net Try to fill out as much details about yourself and interest to allow for a successful placement since we do not know you .Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program within two working days. 2. Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance. 3. Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your Program fee to secure your place on the program. 4. Confirmation: Once the program fee is paid, we will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more! 5. Communication & Support: Throughout the application process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

For further information, please visit our website at www.volunteersug.net or contact:

Mr. James Kange Program Coordinator International Volunteers Network, Inc 5 miles off Kampala - Mityana HighWay P.O. Box 28883, Kampala, Uganda East Africa Tel: +256 414 597 607 Email: or volunteers58@hotmail.com website: http:www.ivnuganda.net