Volunteer.

GUIDELINES & POLICIES 

Wimps need not apply  

Your trip will be an amazing adventure, which means it won’t be not a tour or summer camp. This is the real deal, and you’ll need to be flexible and open-minded at all times. You won’t have to do any heavy lifting you’re not comfortable with, but spending time with the kids can be mentally draining. It’s also hot, it rains, the food is weird, Ugandans are always late and sometimes you accidentally stand on a line of fire ants—just like any adventure worth having.  

Just make sure you’re ready before signing on, especially if you’ve never been to the developing world before. If you have any questions about what to expect, reach out to info@kalibvillecommunity.org  and I’ll be happy to chat.  

Volunteer Opportunities 

We offer exciting short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities in Uganda, East Africa. Our volunteer placements are open to people of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of nationality or qualifications. Volunteers certainly gain an amazing life experience from their participation in our placement program. The unique thing………., we allow volunteers to ‘sample’ all the tasks being offered, and we recruit new volunteers all the year round. 

The Ugandan Experience 

As a volunteer, you will experience traditional Ugandan life and participate in daily activities, such as cooking over an open fire, collecting firewood, playing with children, teaching children, assisting in the vegetable garden as well as construction projects. 

Religious issues  

Kalibville Cooperative Community is a Christian organization, but we welcome volunteers of all faiths and worldviews. Unless you’re on a specifically Christian program, the trip will not be religion-focused and you won’t be evangelized, preached to or asked to sing any hymns.  

Respecting the Community  

Your actionscarry a lot of weight in this community. Some things people frown on might seem strange or backward, but remember, you’re a guest in their culture. This includes things like dressing modestly and not using foul language. Everyone who works with Kalibville represents Kalibville, whether on site or out and about. Things like drunkenness, drug use and promiscuity threaten our good standing and positive influence in the community and will not be tolerated.  

Also, avoid dumb drama with other volunteers, and if it happens, don’t take it with you when you go to work.   

Coordination 

Daily activates will be scheduled, so always speak with the staff before doing your own thing while on the schedule. That being said, the staff is happy to listen to your ideas and suggestions. Theyare open minded and flexible, but follow their judgment even if you don’t agree. 

Media  

Feel free to make any photos, videos, recordings and other media relating to our staff, facilities and children as long as they are in our care and do not object. Our one condition is that we have permission to use your work for our publications, web pages and other promotional materials.  

Out in the community, ask permission, be respectful and use common sense.  

Cost and Payment 

Volunteers are required to commit a fee that caters the basic necessities of the lives of the children and support for our projects. This is payable in cash upon arrival in Uganda (payable on first arrival) or online by credit card. Kindly inquire directly about the volunteer program costs. Please be aware that some participants come through Volunteer Organizations and pay different price. These Organizations support Kalibville Cooperative Community year round with donations and program fees may vary. 

Cancellations, date changes and refunds  

Money that volunteers raise and donate to the organization cover basic necessities of the lives and education of the children. We need all of it, and any interruption of funds can cause serious problems for our work. Therefore, if you or your group has to cancel the trip for any reason (sickness, airline strike, hurricane, etc.), we will be happy to credit your money toward a future trip, but will not be able to refund it outright. If you do reschedule, we ask that you make the new date within 12 months. Unfortunately, we can’t transfer the credit to another group or volunteer. 

VOLUNTEER LOGISTICS  

Travel 

Kalibville will not pay for airfare, though we will cover ground transportation from the Entebbe airport to the compound. We ask that you do not arrange your own transportation for safety and coordination reasons.  

If you are arriving via other transportation (such as train) please contact us so we can make the necessary arrangements to meet with you. 

Upon arrival at the Kalibville, we offer orientation which include meeting kids basically on Saturday, a tour of the local area, discussion of the volunteer role, recent changes and current plans/developments at the Center, etc. 

On departure, volunteer will be accompanied by Kalibville representative to the airport. 

Trips within the program typically begin on Monday and end on Saturday, though this is not a hard and fast rule.    

VISA 

Are you interested in visiting other East African countries? We recommend volunteers to get tourist visas to come to the Kalibville.  This normally is a 3 months renewable VISA, and can easily be purchased upon arrival (with cash) at the airport for US$100.00 or in advance from Ugandan consulates in most countries 

Daily schedule and free time 

While you’re here we will treat you like an employee. We will give you a daily work/activity schedule, but you are free to do what you want while not on the clock. However, living at Kalibville comes with some conditions in the interest of security and safety for the children, staff and volunteers.  

Volunteers must sign out/in at the office when they leave and return.  

Volunteers must be back by 7pm unless by special arrangement with the staff.  

Volunteers may use tobacco and drink alcohol AWAY from the compound and/or children if they need to, but public drunkenness anywhere will not be tolerated. 

Placement Work 

The type of work you are involved with will be dependent on your interests, abilities, level of experience as well as your comfort levels. 

One of the advantages of Kalibville program is that you are not limited to one job role and will have the opportunity to ‘sample’ other roles during your placement. To become involved in another project simply inform a member of staff who will happily make any necessary arrangements. 

The volunteer work includes social work in the communities where volunteers will be involved in; 

• Working in the local schools where you will be involved in promotion of the education growth of the children both through classroom work and also practical work. 
• Volunteers will organize awareness activities with the local population about care and protection of children. 
• Visiting frustrated families through feeding the hungry, care for the elderly, renovation and rehabilitation activities.  
• The volunteers will also visit local farms, educate locals about agriculture, raise environmental Sanitation awareness.