HIV/AIDS Awareness
 The pandemic resulting from the spread and acquisition of HIV/AIDS is a serious, deadly challenge facing the entire country of Uganda. Children are often born to AIDS-infected parents who often pass away before begin able to make any kind of contribution to these children's lives. Volunteers' assistance is greatly and urgently needed in many areas of this HIV/AIDS projects.
Presently, Rustic Volunteer Travel works in collaboration with local organizations running various HIV/AIDS projects creating and promoting awareness while simultaneously providing comfort to HIV/AIDS-infected citizens. Volunteers/travelers can have the rewarding opportunity to create hope among the sick and to assure them that they can live productive lives even with AIDS (given proper care of their bodies).
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FAQs Uganda
| Application Process: |
Please read Rustic Volunteer Travel's 5 steps of application
• There are two options for applying to volunteer in Uganda through our program. You can apply online or you can down loan an application, fill it out, and mail it in to us. You will need to submit your application with a $200 deposit. This program deposit is required to make an application valid.
• Once we get your application, we will immediately send it to Uganda for processing. They go over your application carefully and find the best project possible for you. The decisions for room and food are made at this time, Arrangement for room and food depends on the location of the project. The vast majority of our volunteers stay in full immersion home stays though some orphanage projects are residential.
• Once we get the details of your placements, we pass it on to you with a final invoice. Your final payment is due six weeks before your start date, and in expedited cases, as soon as possible. The placement details have local contact information use them for contacts on your Visa application or to get in touch with the local staff and host family.
• Preparation for trips should include reading about Uganda , immunization, travel Visa (entry permit), and booking airfare. If you face any problems our Program Manager is always available for assistance.
• Now, once you purchase your ticket, send your flight information to our US office by fax or by email. Your flight information will be forwarded to the Uganda staff who will arrange an airport pickup.
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| Visa : |
Rustic strongly suggest that all volunteers apply for a tourist visa, in a timely manner before departing for Uganda. Please call our office or contact the local Uganda embassy to learn more about visa, visa fees, and visa extensions. Getting your tourist visa is your responsibility.
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| Health and safety : |
Being informed is your first defense against disease and safety risks. We recommend visiting some of the following websites for health and safety information:
WHO website for international travelers ( http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/ )
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| Vaccination : |
Rustic Volunteer Travel closely follows the Center for Disease Control's traveler's health recommendations ( www.cdc.gov ). Discuss your travel plans and personal health with your health-care provider to determine which vaccines are necessary.
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to East Africa - including Uganda
- Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of Hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
- Hepatitis B especially if you might be exposed to blood or bodily fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. The Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years of age who did not receive the series of vaccines as infants.
- Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in all countries in East Africa , including cities. See your health care provider for a prescription anti-malarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to East Africa .
- Meningococcal (meningitis) if you plan to visit countries in this region that experience epidemics of meningococcal disease during December through June, (see see Map 4-9 on the Meningoccocal Disease page ).
- Rabies , pre-exposure vaccination, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
- Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
- As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria , measles , and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.
Required Vaccinations
A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries in East Africa . For detailed information, see Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirements and Information on Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by Country . Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center. |
| Money Matter : |
You might need $5-15 per day for your personal expenses such as water or soft drinks, taxi fares, and shopping. The optimal methods to make purchases is using a debit card as ATM machines are available in Nairobi and Entebbe (in airports and major hotels) where you can withdraw local currencies. Another alternative is traveler's checks which are secure and can be cashed in local banks, during business hours.
In Uganda , people of US or European descent are considered regardless of financial circumstances. This will make you a target for pick-pockets and scam artists ('fly catchers'). Participants are required to be smart about their money matters when traveling through Uganda . Please be advised to remain alert and remember these suggestions:
- Avoid external money pouches, dangling backpacks and camera bags
- Limit the amount of worn, jewelry
- Don't flash money or your wallet
- Travel in pairs or groups to the ATM
- Remain aware of the exchange rate and cost of items
- Take requests for 'donations' with a grain of salt
- Store money in a secure, well-hidden place or safe
- Carry money in different pockets and places
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| Field Support and supervision: |
How does Rustic Volunteer Travel help me when I am in the field? How can I maintain communication? Does Rustic Volunteer Travel visit volunteers?
Once the volunteer program starts, our local staff members will stay in touch with volunteers. In Uganda , our projects are approximately 10-25 km from our offices (and usually located in rural settings outside of the cities). Our coordinators stay in touch with volunteers via personal visits, telephone calls or emails. The director of each project will serve as participants' immediate supervisor. Rustic Volunteer Travel 's Uganda coordinator maintains a mobile phone so participants are able to reach him with questions and concerns. |
| Communication : |
How do I communicate with my family? Rustic Volunteer Travel staffs? Is there internet?
Volunteers are requested to bring their mobile phones. Upon arrival in Uganda , participants can purchase and change sim-cards as there are 2-3 electronic shops in the Entebbe International Airport . The sim-card is placed into almost any internationally capable cell phone and provides service in Uganda . Participants are encouraged to ensure that they are bringing the appropriate telephone. This is the perfect way to stay in touch with your family and Rustic Volunteer Travel 's office. Internet cafés are widely-available in most areas of Jinja and Entebbe . |
| Climate of Uganda: |
Uganda 's various topographical regions experience distinct climates.
Generally, the hottest temperatures occur between February and March; with the coolest temperatures occurring between the months of July and August.
Higher elevation areas within the highlands receive much larger amounts of rainfall. The Lake Victoria basin in western Uganda is generally the wettest region in the country, particularly the highland regions, where average annual rainfall ranges from 1,740 mm (70 in) to 1,940 mm (80 in). Average temperatures in this region range from 14° to 34°C (57° to 93°F) in January and 14° to 30°C (57° to 86°F) in July.
The average annual temperatures in the main areas are:
• Nairobi : Max 25ºC, Min 13ºC
• Entebbe (coastal): Max 30ºC, Min 22ºC
• North Plainlands : Max 34ºC, Min 23ºC
Rainfall occurs seasonally throughout most of Uganda . The coast, eastern plateaus, and lake basin areas experience two rainy seasons:
- The "long rains" extend occur from March to June
- The "short rains" last from approximately October to December.
The highlands of western Uganda have a single rainy season, lasting from March to September.
All parts of the country are subject to periodic droughts, or delays in the start of the rainy seasons. Uganda 's climate has had a profound effect on settlement patterns, as for centuries population has been concentrated in the wettest areas of the country.
To check the current weather condition of Uganda , please click here . |
| Materials to Bring |
Most stuff of daily use is available in Uganda at a cheaper price. However, we suggest volunteers pack the following things;
. Camera
. Mobile phone (you can use mobile phone after changing sim card)
. Sleeping bag
. Mosquito repellents
. Insect repellents
. Sun-block
. Working gloves (if you are joining conservation or construction project)
. Map of Uganda
. Toiletries
. First aid kit
. Flash light
. Electricity adopter/converter
. Sun glasses
. Footwear (for work and travel)
. Towel |
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