PLANE Uganda: Free Volunteering in Fort Portal

A smiling group of PLANE Uganda volunteers with local women and a child in Fort Portal, wearing colorful patterned clothing and standing outdoors during a community project.

Volunteers needed at PLATFORM for the NEEDY (PLANE) in Uganda

PLATFORM for the NEEDY (PLANE) is a nationally registered, not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organisation headquartered in Fort Portal Tourism City, Kabarole District, Rwenzori region, Western Uganda. Reg. No. INDR111193949NB; Kabarole District Local Government Reg. No. 2323.

Since 2010, PLANE has led collective efforts to promote general and reproductive health awareness with a focus on Family Planning, HIV/AIDS prevention, malaria prevention and control, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), and education for vulnerable children.

Mission: Transform the lives of disadvantaged populations in Uganda through empowerment programs, human rights advocacy, health promotion, and literacy campaigns, improving the quality of life for vulnerable individuals and communities.

Volunteer opportunities: Health promotion campaigns; water, sanitation, and hygiene; education for vulnerable children; tree planting in schools and communities; SGBV mitigation through dialogues, radio talk shows and drama; community development empowering women and girls (especially teenage mothers); adolescents and youth mentorship trainings; teaching in primary and secondary schools; and more.

Volunteer cooking with local Ugandan women outside a brick home in Fort Portal during a PLANE Uganda community visit.
Cooking with local women in Fort Portal, Uganda | PLANE volunteering
Hosting arrangement ๐Ÿก
  • Organisation/NGO
Location ๐ŸŒ
What help is needed?
  • Administration ๐Ÿ”‘
  • Charity Work / Fundraising ๐Ÿ’ฐ
  • Computer / Web ๐Ÿ’ป
  • Teaching / Language Exchange ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿซ
  • Film-Making ๐ŸŽฅ
  • General Help ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธ
  • Health / Medical / Assistance ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โš•๏ธ๐Ÿฉบ
  • Marketing ๐Ÿ“ˆ
  • Writing โœ
  • Research ๐Ÿ”ฌ
Mission of the community ๐ŸŽฏ

PLANEโ€™s mission is to transform the lives of disadvantaged populations in Uganda through empowerment programs, human rights advocacy, health promotion, and literacy campaigns. The goal is to improve the quality of life for vulnerable individuals and communities.

Objectives
  1. Advocate for the protection and promotion of childrenโ€™s, youthsโ€™, and womenโ€™s rights.
  2. Build capacity for rural communities to access social services like education, health, water, and sanitation for improved livelihoods.
  3. Increase knowledge on health and gender-related issues in communities.
  4. Support provision of vocational skills to orphans and school dropouts for improved wellbeing.
  5. Support the establishment of Orphans and Vulnerable Children model homes.
  6. Contribute to increased livelihoods among youth and women.

Group of Ugandan children holding school supply packs during a PLANE Uganda distribution event in Fort Portal, with banners in the background.

Key Areas of Focus
Health Awareness and Social Security
  • Health Promotion: Education on Family Planning, SRHR, malaria prevention, cervical cancer screening, HIV/AIDS, and related topics.
  • Social Security: Economic empowerment for teenage mothers.
  • Violence Prevention: Advocacy against violence toward children and women.
Educational Support
  • Orphans and Vulnerable Children: Scholastic materials (uniforms, shoes, soap, bags, jelly, sanitary pads) and school fees to ensure access to quality education.
  • Youth Empowerment: Programs supporting youth education with a focus on girlsโ€™ education and teenage mothersโ€™ empowerment.
Womenโ€™s Empowerment
  • Livelihood Interventions: Skills development and livelihood projects for rural women and youth.
  • Maternal and Reproductive Health: Awareness campaigns and clinics to ensure access to essential services for women and adolescent girls.
Gender-Based Violence Prevention
  • Support Services: Counseling for GBV survivors, legal support, and community outreach to protect women and girls from abuse and discrimination.
  • Radio drama and talk shows to create awareness about GBV and mitigate its effects among children and women.
Environmental Education and Conservation
  • Sustainable Practices: Tree planting initiatives through the โ€œGreening Uganda Projectโ€, waste management, and awareness programs.
PLANE Uganda staff in blue shirts sort piles of notebooks and supplies on classroom desks while pupils watch; banners for the organization hang on the wall.
PLANE Uganda classroom handover of scholastic materials in Kabarole
Volunteersโ€™ age restrictions ๐Ÿ”ž
  • All ages welcome, including senior volunteers and minors.
Volunteers with disabilities โ™ฟ

Volunteers with disabilities are welcome.

Notes on restrictions โœ

As a human rights organisation, we accept volunteers with disabilities who can contribute to administration, social media marketing, and fundraising. For volunteers under 18, a consent letter from parents and school/college is required.

Capacity ๐ŸŽŽ
  • Up to 10 volunteers.
When are volunteers needed? ๐Ÿ“…

All year round.

Working hours โฑ
  • 4โ€“5 hours per day.
Days per week ๐ŸŒ’
  • 4 days per week with 3 days off.
Expectations ๐Ÿ“

Volunteers may use their talents and skills to help the organization grow and initiate good programs. Be ethical and respect cultural norms. No drinking alcohol at the office, in schools, or in the community. In free time, personal choices should be kept private and respectful. Follow security guidelines.

Accommodation and food ๐Ÿ ๐Ÿœ

Yes, food and accommodation are provided.

Accommodation types ๐Ÿ•๐Ÿ›Œ๐Ÿ 
  • Dormitory/shared rooms
  • Private room
  • Private home
  • Private room for a couple
Diet ๐Ÿฅ—๐Ÿฅค

African rich and nutritious food with fruits and vegetables is provided. Alcohol is at your own cost.

PLANE Uganda representative speaks into a studio microphone during a community radio program in Fort Portal, with guests seated beside him and organizational banners behind.

Fee transparency ๐Ÿ†“๐Ÿ”

No program fees. Free-will donations toward ongoing projects for sustainability are welcome.

Visa support ๐Ÿ›‚
  • Yes, visa/invitation letter support is available.
Volunteersโ€™ benefits ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ…
  • Warm welcome: Greeting at Entebbe International Airport and support for a smooth transition to Fort Portal. Orientation on organization culture and programs, introduction to staff and community, leadership, and Toro culture.
  • Comfortable living: Convenient accommodation for the duration of your stay (minimum 2 weeks), shared same-sex room with separate beds or a self-contained private room.
  • Essentials provided: Soft pillows, warm blankets, treated mosquito net.
  • Stay connected: Free Wi-Fi at the office and house.
  • Local gastronomy: Three home-cooked Ugandan meals daily.
  • Cultural immersion: Rich exchange with the founderโ€™s family; enjoy local cultural dance and drama.
  • Reliable power: Power supply at the house.
  • Recognition: Certificate from the organization and school upon completion, plus a farewell gathering.
  • Impact: Make a difference while building friendships and memories.
Free time activities ๐Ÿšด๐Ÿšฃ๐Ÿฆ’
  • Sports with kids and community (soccer, volleyball, music, dance, drama)
  • Hike Mabere Ganyinamwiru hills
  • Visit Tooro Royal Palace, tombs, and cultural sites
  • Enjoy cultural entertainment centres
  • Visit a local bar for entertainment
  • Walk or drive around Fort Portal to learn about culture and investment opportunities
  • Worship and prayer in local churches, if it applies to you

Ugandan pupils hold colorful posters reading โ€œEmpowering Eco-Warriors,โ€ โ€œGreening Schools, Greening Minds,โ€ โ€œLearn. Act. Sustain.โ€ and โ€œPlant Today, Grow Tomorrowโ€ during a PLANE Uganda school activity.

Language ๐Ÿ—ฃ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง

English is used; you will also be introduced to the local language.

Geography ๐ŸŒณ

Fort Portal and Kabarole (Rwenzori region) have moderate weather. Mornings and afternoons are warm, with possible rains or cloudy conditions. A light sweater is usually sufficient. Temperatures range between 20โ€“27ยฐC. Rainy seasons are Marchโ€“May and Septemberโ€“late November. The environment is a savanna, with tropical areas in national parks and forests.

How to get to the site โœˆ ๐Ÿ—บ
  • Entebbe International Airport to Kampala: about 1 hour 3 minutes by taxi.
  • From Kampala: take a Link Bus from Kisenyi Bus Park to Fort Portal (about 6 hours).
  • From Fort Portal to the project site: approximately 3 km to Isekahunguโ€“Kacwamba, Central Division, along Fort Portalโ€“Kasese road (about 5 minutes by motorcycle).
  • Location is available on Google.
Internet access ๐ŸŒ

Yes.

โ€œPaying guestsโ€ / solidarity tourists ๐ŸŽŽ
  • Yes, eco/responsible tourists and paying guests can be accommodated.

CONTACT DETAILS ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ“ง


Website: platformfortheneedyuganda.org

YouTube: @PLANEUG

Facebook: facebook.com/platformfortheneedy

Instagram: @platformfortheneedy

Host name: Stephen Waddell

Email: platformfortheneedyuganda AT gmail DOT com

 

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Un post condiviso da PLANE (@platform_for_the_needy.kz)

PLANE Uganda volunteering

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Author: Voluntouring staff

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