Early Childhood Development Supporter

The aim of this program is to contribute to the development of under-resourced school and increase opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to receive a quality education. Teaching is a rewarding experience for this children,as some may have experienced tough upbringings, volunteers will discover that this children are polite, cheerful and eager to learn.

If you’re someone who is passionate about education, cross-cultural exchange and using creative methods to inspire others to learn, this project is a great option for you.

As a teaching volunteer, you will be placed in a nursery or primary school where you will be working alongside local teachers. Typical subjects taught at the schools include English, Math, Sports, Science, History, Music and Social Studies. Students can range in age from 3 to 12 years old, depending on the class you are placed.

Volunteers do not need to be a qualified or experienced teacher to participate. However, we encourage volunteers to come prepared by completing some relevant training, like a teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) course. 

Volunteering with children is a great opportunity for volunteers to gain practical childcare experience and learn new skills. Best of all, volunteers will be helping where it’s really needed and working on sustainable, long-term goals.

Volunteers will  gain practical experience of working in children, which could help their future career. It’s also the perfect project to help them to develop important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and planning

This program focuses on early childhood development and learning through play. Volunteers  work will help us achieve our goals of promoting literacy, numeracy, and hygiene practices among young children.

The schools run for 3 terms per year and this program will not operate during the school holiday periods. During the holidays, volunteers switch to another available project, such as Childcare.

School Holidays 

4th May - 26th May

24th August - 15th September

30th November - 2nd February

First Day: On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays: Volunteers work for approximately 3 to 5 hours per day. A typical schedule is as follows:

7.00 AM – Breakfast at the volunteer house, prepared by the local cook.

7.30 AM – Volunteers travel to their placements either by taxi or by walking. Start time and daily workload depends on the project that the individual volunteer is participating on.

1.00 PM – Volunteers break for lunch. Volunteers either travel back to the volunteer house or eat a packed lunch at their placement. After lunch, volunteers continue with their volunteer work (where applicable).

3.00 PM - 4.00 PM – Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to return to the volunteer house, plan for the following day’s activities or use their free time as they wish.

The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month, and volunteers need to arrive in Entebbe on the Sunday before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Mutungo. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are traveling in Uganda prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Kampala or Entebbe on the day before your program orientation.

Orientation is hosted by our local team at the volunteer base.. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Uganda – Introduction to Uganda, Culture and Customs, Rules and Expectations, Safety, Language Basics (Luganda), Travel Opportunities, Introduction to Project and Placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

There is no shortage of things to do in Kampala or further afield in Uganda, so volunteers can fill their free time with safaris, adventurous activities, markets or simply exploring parts of the local town. Uganda is a popular tourist location for gorilla trekking as well as game safaris and bird-watching. There are beautiful national parks and great opportunities for adventure activities such as white water rafting. Volunteers staying for longer durations, or who wish to travel before or after their program, can visit areas further afield in Uganda and neighboring countries such as Kenya and Tanzania.