OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME FEES

Volunteer Impact Fees: Growing Together with WECO Uganda

At WECO Uganda, we believe that true community transformation happens from the roots up.

To make your journey meaningful and sustainable, we have developed a transparent Volunteer Impact Fee structure.

Your contribution helps cover the practical costs of hosting and supporting volunteers while also contributing directly to our community programmes.

We want every volunteer to understand what their contribution covers before confirming a placement.

Our transparent fee breakdown

Direct project contribution — $300

A $300 contribution is included in your initial programme fee to support WECO's community initiatives.

This funding helps strengthen areas such as:

• Educational materials and learning resources at WECO Uganda Schools.
• Community development activities.
• Initiatives supporting vulnerable children and families.
• Appropriate community health outreach activities, according to programme priorities and available resources.

Airport transfers — $200 return

We can arrange airport pickup and return transport between Entebbe International Airport and Masaka.

• Airport pickup: $100.
• Return airport transfer: $100.
• Total return transfer: $200.

Transfers must be arranged in advance and are subject to confirmation.

Accommodation

Your programme includes arranged volunteer accommodation through Casa WECO Residences or another agreed local accommodation option in the Nyendo–Kirinda area.

Three daily meals

Meals are locally prepared and may include fresh fruit, matooke, rice, beans, vegetables, and other seasonal foods.

Please tell us about any dietary requirements before arrival.

Orientation and local support

We provide pre-arrival guidance, an introduction to WECO's work, cultural orientation, assistance with practical arrangements, and local contact information for support.

Volunteer fee matrix

Longer placements: After the first four weeks, each additional four-week period costs $440 under this pricing structure. The initial project contribution and return airport transfers are not charged again.

Placements that do not fit these durations can be discussed individually with our team.

What's included?

• The initial $300 direct project contribution.
• Pre-departure planning and coordination.
• Return airport transfers when included in your confirmed package.
• Orientation in Masaka and the surrounding community.
• Arranged volunteer accommodation.
• Three daily meals during your agreed placement.
• Volunteer placement coordination.
• Local programme guidance and agreed support arrangements.

What's not included?

• International flights.
• Applicable Ugandan visa and immigration fees.
• Travel and medical insurance.
• Personal snacks, drinks, toiletries, and shopping.
• Personal travel and weekend activities.
• Optional safaris and tourism excursions.
• Personal donations beyond the agreed project contribution.

Visa requirements and fees depend on the applicable immigration rules and should be confirmed before travelling.

How to secure your placement

Step 1: Apply online
Complete the Volunteer Interest Form below.

Step 2: Discuss your placement
Our team will review your application and discuss your interests, availability, and suitable opportunities.

Step 3: Receive confirmation
We will confirm your placement, accommodation arrangements, dates, and total programme fee in writing.

Step 4: Pay your commitment deposit
Once your application is approved, a $100 non-refundable commitment deposit is required to secure your placement and reserve accommodation. The deposit is deducted from your total programme fee. It is not an additional charge.

Step 5: Settle the remaining balance
The remaining balance can be paid using an agreed payment method before travel or in cash upon arrival, subject to written confirmation.

Cancellation and refund conditions should be reviewed before payment.

VOLUNTEER ACCOMMODATION IN UGANDA

Stay with Casa WECO Residences

Volunteers staying with WECO Community Uganda can be accommodated at Casa WECO Residences, our director's home, where volunteer quarters are located close to our community programmes.

Our accommodation offers a convenient base for your placement while providing an opportunity to experience Ugandan hospitality, local culture, and everyday community life.

Depending on availability and the agreed arrangements, other local accommodation options may also be considered.

Before confirming your placement, we will discuss accommodation, meals, facilities, transport arrangements, and any additional costs.

Experience Uganda beyond the usual tourist route. Live, learn, and grow with our community.

WHAT MAKES VOLUNTEERING WITH WECO DIFFERENT?

COMMUNITY-BASED
Our work is rooted in a real Ugandan community, responding to locally identified priorities.

LOCALLY LED
Our Ugandan team coordinates activities and works alongside volunteers.

PRACTICAL
We focus on activities connected to real programmes and community needs.

ETHICAL
We do not support orphanage tourism, exploitative volunteering, or placements designed to replace local employment.

STRUCTURED
Volunteers receive orientation, guidance, and local support.

CULTURAL
Volunteers have opportunities to learn from local people, traditions, and everyday community life.

FLEXIBLE
We welcome short-term, extended, group, family, student, and skills-based volunteer applications.

LEGACY-FOCUSED
We want volunteer participation to contribute something useful that remains valuable after the volunteer leaves.

MORE WAYS TO VOLUNTEER

Short-term volunteering (1–4 weeks)

Ideal for students, travellers, and people seeking a meaningful introduction to community development in Uganda.

Extended volunteering (5–12 weeks or longer)

Ideal for people who want more time to build relationships, exchange skills, and contribute to ongoing programmes.

Placements longer than eight weeks are subject to an individually confirmed fee arrangement.

University service-learning programmes

We welcome enquiries from universities and educational institutions interested in community-based learning in Uganda.

Possible areas include:

• Education and teacher development.
• Community development.
• Sustainable agriculture.
• Nonprofit management and administration.
• Social entrepreneurship.
• Communications and digital marketing.
• Cultural exchange.

Institutional partnerships, academic credit, and formal placements must be agreed upon in advance.

Group and family volunteering

Families, university groups, church groups, school groups, professional teams, and other organised groups are welcome to enquire.

Activities will depend on group size, participant ages, programme needs, and available supervision.

Skills-based volunteering

Do you have specialist skills you would like to share?

We welcome enquiries from professionals who can contribute training, mentorship, technical assistance, or advice in areas such as education, accounting, fundraising, information technology, marketing, agriculture, business development, and project management.

You do not need to spend your entire placement on one specialist activity. We will work with you to identify where your skills could provide the greatest value.

VOLUNTEER SAFARIS IN UGANDA

Volunteer. Explore. Learn. Experience Uganda.

Your volunteer placement can also become part of a wider Ugandan adventure.

Through our local knowledge and Casa WECO Holidays, we can provide general guidance on responsible tourism options for volunteers interested in exploring more of the country.

Depending on your interests, schedule, and budget, you may consider:

• Culture and communities: Discover local traditions, music, crafts, food, and everyday life.
• Lakes and rivers: Explore Uganda's beautiful lakeshores, waterways, and island communities.
• Wildlife and conservation: Learn about Uganda's wildlife and conservation efforts.
• Landscapes and nature: Discover countryside scenery, forests, wetlands, and natural attractions.
• Markets and local enterprise: Visit local markets and learn about Ugandan produce, crafts, and small businesses.
• Historical and cultural sites: Explore Uganda's history and cultural heritage.
• National parks and safaris: Consider guided visits to Uganda's national parks and protected areas.

Optional tourism activities are separate from the volunteer programme and are normally arranged at the volunteer's own expense.

Transport, accommodation, permits, activity prices, and booking arrangements must be confirmed separately.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING AND RESPONSIBLE VOLUNTEERING

The safety, dignity, and well-being of every child are central to our work.

All volunteers must follow WECO's safeguarding procedures, respect children's privacy, and work within their assigned responsibilities.

Volunteers must not be left in unsupervised situations with children unless expressly authorised under WECO's safeguarding procedures.

Required references, background checks, orientation, and safeguarding agreements must be completed before the relevant placement begins.

Photographs, videos, and personal stories involving children may only be collected or published in accordance with WECO's safeguarding, consent, and privacy requirements.

WECO reserves the right to decline or end a placement if a volunteer does not meet our safeguarding standards.