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.
Hosting arrangement 🏡
- Organisation/NGO
Location 🌏
What help is needed?
- Administration 🔑
- Charity Work / Fundraising 💰
- Computer / Web 💻
- Teaching / Language Exchange 🧑🏫
- Film-Making 🎥
- General Help 💁♀️
- Health / Medical / Assistance 👩⚕️🩺
- Marketing 📈
- Writing ✏
- Research 🔬
Mission of the community 🎯
PLANE’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
- Advocate for the protection and promotion of children’s, youths’, and women’s rights.
- Build capacity for rural communities to access social services like education, health, water, and sanitation for improved livelihoods.
- Increase knowledge on health and gender-related issues in communities.
- Support provision of vocational skills to orphans and school dropouts for improved wellbeing.
- Support the establishment of Orphans and Vulnerable Children model homes.
- Contribute to increased livelihoods among youth and women.
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 girls’ education and teenage mothers’ empowerment.
Women’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 “Greening Uganda Project”, waste management, and awareness programs.
Volunteers’ age restrictions 🔞
- All ages welcome, including senior volunteers and minors.
Volunteers with disabilities ♿
Volunteers with disabilities are welcome.
Notes on restrictions ✍
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 🎎
- Up to 10 volunteers.
When are volunteers needed? 📅
All year round.
Working hours ⏱
- 4–5 hours per day.
Days per week 🌒
- 4 days per week with 3 days off.
Expectations 📝
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 🏠🍜
Yes, food and accommodation are provided.
Accommodation types 🏕🛌🏠
- Dormitory/shared rooms
- Private room
- Private home
- Private room for a couple
Diet 🥗🥤
African rich and nutritious food with fruits and vegetables is provided. Alcohol is at your own cost.
Fee transparency 🆓🔍
No program fees. Free-will donations toward ongoing projects for sustainability are welcome.
Visa support 🛂
- Yes, visa/invitation letter support is available.
Volunteers’ benefits 🏆🏅
- 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 founder’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 🚴🚣🦒
- 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
Language 🗣🇬🇧
English is used; you will also be introduced to the local language.
Geography 🌳
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 20–27°C. Rainy seasons are March–May and September–late November. The environment is a savanna, with tropical areas in national parks and forests.
How to get to the site ✈ 🗺
- 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 Isekahungu–Kacwamba, Central Division, along Fort Portal–Kasese road (about 5 minutes by motorcycle).
- Location is available on Google.
Internet access 🌐
Yes.
“Paying guests” / solidarity tourists 🎎
- Yes, eco/responsible tourists and paying guests can be accommodated.
CONTACT DETAILS 🔍📧
Website: platformfortheneedyuganda.org
YouTube: @PLANEUG
Facebook: facebook.com/platformfortheneedy
Instagram: @platformfortheneedy
Host name: Stephen Waddell
Email: platformfortheneedyuganda AT gmail DOT com
PLANE Uganda volunteering
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