I am Mulondo Bimbasa, the founder of Mothers and Children Uganda (MCU), a community-based organization in Jinja. We focus on supporting vulnerable mothers and children through education, health awareness, and community empowerment. Our cultural and volunteer exchange offers visitors the chance to live within our community, share skills, and learn Ugandan culture, traditions, and daily life while making a real impact in the lives of families we serve.
What category best describes your hosting arrangement? 🏡
- Organisation/NGO
Location – Where is your volunteer project located? 🌏
- Jinja City, Bugembe, Nakanyonyi Complex Cell 📍
What are you looking for help with?
- Charity Work/Fundraising 💰
- Cleaning 🧹
- Computer/Web 💻
- Teaching/Language Exchange 🧑🏫
- Farming/Gardening 🌿🐄
- Health/Medical/Assistance 👩⚕️🩺
What’s the mission of your community? 🎯
We welcome volunteers to support our goals of empowering vulnerable mothers and children, improving education, health, and livelihoods, and fostering cultural exchange. By sharing skills, time, and ideas, volunteers help us strengthen our community while also learning from Ugandan culture and daily life.
Volunteers age restrictions 🔞
- We can host volunteers of all ages (senior volunteers and minors are welcome) 💪
Volunteers with disabilities ♿
- Volunteers with disabilities are welcome ♿ ✅
We accept volunteers of different backgrounds and abilities.
If you are under 18, we require written parental approval before joining. We are also open to hosting volunteers with disabilities depending on their abilities; they may be involved in activities such as teaching, playing with children, storytelling, creative arts, administration, or community awareness programs. We do our best to provide support in a safe and inclusive environment, although we are limited in terms of specialized medical care or accessibility infrastructure, so we encourage open communication beforehand to make sure we can meet individual needs.
How many volunteers could you host? 🎎
- More than two
When do you usually need volunteers? 📅
- All year round
How many hours of help per day? ⏱
- 4–5 hours of help per day
How many days of help per week? 🌒
- 5 days per week – 2 days off
Note about the volunteer work and other expectations 📝
We value initiative and creativity; volunteers are encouraged to bring their own ideas and skills to enrich the project. Life here is simple and authentic: volunteers live close to the community, share meals, and experience Ugandan culture and traditions.
Respect for local customs, teamwork, and a positive attitude are very important. In return, we offer a welcoming environment where volunteers not only contribute to meaningful change but also learn and grow through cultural exchange.
Are accommodation and food included? 🏠🍜
- Yes, we offer food and accommodation.
What type of accommodation can you provide? 🏕
- Dormitory/shared rooms 🛌
- Private Room 🔑
Diet – nutrition information 🥗🥤
Volunteers can expect to enjoy traditional Ugandan meals, often prepared with fresh, locally grown ingredients. Typical dishes include beans, rice, matooke (green bananas), posho (maize flour), sweet potatoes, chapati, groundnut sauce, and seasonal vegetables. We sometimes also serve fish or meat, depending on availability.
We are happy to accommodate dietary preferences such as vegetarian or vegan, as Ugandan food is naturally rich in plant-based options. If you have other special dietary needs (allergies, gluten-free, etc.), please let us know in advance so we can make the best possible arrangements.
Fee transparency 🆓🔍
No mandatory fees. To support clean water, utilities, and our programs for mothers and children, we welcome optional donations. If you’re able, the suggested amount is $4 per day. Your time and skills are the most valuable contribution; any donation directly supports your stay and the local families we serve.
VISA SUPPORT – Are you able to assist with visa support, information, or provide invitation letters? 🛂
- Yes, we can help with Visa/invitation letters ✅
Volunteers’ benefits 🏆🏅
- Cultural Exchange – Learn about Ugandan traditions, language, music, dance, and daily life by living closely with local families.
- Certificate of Appreciation – At the end of your stay, we provide a certificate recognizing your contribution and impact.
- Learning Opportunities – Volunteers can take part in workshops on local crafts, farming, child development, and community health awareness.
- Community Involvement – Participate in village visits, storytelling, and school activities that connect you directly with the people you’re helping.
- Nature & Exploration – During free time, volunteers can enjoy nearby attractions such as the River Nile, waterfalls, local markets, and cultural sites. We are happy to guide you in planning low-cost or group tours.
- Personal Growth – Gain experience in teaching, leadership, teamwork, and intercultural communication.
What are the available activities during free time? 🚴🚣🦒
- Source of the Nile – Visit the spot where the Nile River begins its journey north from Lake Victoria.
- Boat rides & fishing trips – Relax on the Nile with a traditional boat ride or try local fishing.
- Adventure sports – Jinja is famous for white-water rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, tubing, and quad biking.
- Nature & wildlife – Explore Mabira Forest for birdwatching, monkeys, and nature walks, or visit local farms and gardens.
- Cultural experiences – Join traditional dance and music performances, visit craft markets, or learn to cook Ugandan meals.
- Day trips – Easy access to waterfalls, hot springs, and scenic villages in the region.
Language 🗣🇬🇧
English
Geography 🌳
Mothers and Children Uganda is located in Bugembe, Jinja City in eastern Uganda.
The area is mostly green and rural, with small villages, farms, and gardens surrounded by banana plantations, sugarcane, and maize fields. Jinja city is nearby, offering access to shops, markets, and adventure activities.
Weather & Climate 🌤
Uganda has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. In Jinja, the average daytime temperature is about 25–30°C, while nights are cooler and comfortable. There are two rainy seasons (March–May and September–November), but even then, the rains are usually short and followed by sunshine. The dry seasons (December–February and June–August) are hot and perfect for outdoor activities.
Environment
The setting is peaceful, with a mix of community life, lush nature, and fresh air. Volunteers will experience a relaxed village lifestyle while still being close to Jinja’s lively town and the famous Nile River.
How to get to your site ✈ 🗺
Volunteers usually arrive through Entebbe International Airport (EBB), which is the main entry point into Uganda. From Entebbe:
- By Car/Taxi: The easiest way is to take a taxi or airport shuttle to Jinja, which takes about 3–4 hours depending on traffic.
- By Bus/Matatu: From Kampala (the capital), you can take a bus or shared taxi to Jinja. The journey takes about 2–3 hours.
- From Jinja to Bugembe: Once in Jinja City we will guide you to our community in Bugembe (about 15 minutes by boda-boda/motorcycle or local taxi). We can also arrange to pick you up in Jinja for convenience.
General Address:
Mothers and Children Uganda (MCU)Bugembe, Nakanyonyi Complex Cell, Jinja City
Eastern Uganda
(We provide detailed directions and local contacts once a volunteer confirms their stay, to make arrival safe and easy.)
Is there internet access? 🌐
Yes!
“Paying guests” Option. Could you accommodate “solidarity” tourists? 🎎
Yes, we can accommodate eco/responsible tourists & paying guests 👌
CONTACT DETAILS 📧🔍
- WhatsApp: +256 700 285 977
- Instagram: @_mothers_and_children
- Hostname 📛: Mothers and Children Uganda
- Host Email ✉: mothersandchildrenfoundation2@gmail.com