Oversees Volunteers

YOFAFO gladly welcomes volunteers from the ages of 18 and above from anywhere around the world. We welcome Volunteers who have a passion to see Social transformation among rural African Communities. These Volunteers can either be individuals, student groups, mission groups(christian), health workers, researchers, constructors and builders, teachers, special needs trainers, among others. YOFAFO is also open to people who just want to have an experience of what Africa is all about. We have hosted many volunteers from countries such as USA, Canada, U.K, Australia, Mexico and Belgium. We actively encourage volunteers from all over the world to participate in a true cultural experience and to serve others. International volunteers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as friendship, enthusiasm and ideas which enrich our ability to support rural communities. All Ugandans warmly and openly welcome volunteers. Your participation and commitment expand belief in themselves, shows that someone from so far cares about them, creates postive attitudes and imparts valuable knowledge in them.

The Activities that a Volunteer can participate in include;-Painting,-Teaching in classrooms in subjects like Math, English, Fine Art, Sports, Music and Drama, Science and Social studies. -Building of Schools, Orphanages, Elderly homes, Wells and Boreholes for safe water, plus houses for widowed mothers. -Library based activities,-Microfinance related activities, -Health, Sanitation and Dental Services, -Internships for people with skills in proposal writing, administration and fundraising. The period for any volunteer can be between Two weeks and Six months. To volunteer in YOFAFO, please check out our contacts page to get to us.

Some of the Comments and Testimonies from pevious Volunteers

Comment Date-Aug. 30th. 2006-By-Ian Wishaeusk

How can I sum it up all? I was here for too short a time and already love it! The people are amazing and the lifestyle and outlook on life is refreshing. Just keep your mind open and empty of prejudices and let Uganda soak in and go out exploring! Afritours Safari of Masai Mara is awesome. We had a great guide;Jared, and saw lots! Try and hit up camp Flamingo, its brand new and a bit Ghetto but its stuff is super cool (don't disobey the Masai Warrior,he will chase you back to your tent!). Valence is a great guy and his program is gaining momentum, watch for opportunities and you will find innovative ways to help out. Have fun and remember, even though this trip isn't about you, take time for yourself to really appreciate the experience. Best of luck, Ian.

Comment Date-Sept. 02nd. 2006-By Rebecca Kilby, North Yorkshire, UK-22 yrs Old

It's taken me up till the end of my time here to realise what an amazing time I've had here in Uganda and the friendships that i have made. The only reason it has taken so long to realise this is that my judgement was affected by the few health problems i encountered whilst being here. I thought i would be going thinking that i would never come back and that i was dissappointed with my time here but looking back on the experiences that i have had both in the villages and on the weekends away and the many great people i have met both other volunteers and village people, i feel i am a very lucky person to have had the opportunity to be here. The thing that i will miss most is the postiveness and friendliness of the people, even when times are hard. It has made me look at my life in a different way. I have so much respect for the people that i have met. Just afew of the people that i will never forget from the villages are Johnson,Grace,and Peter. If you get to meet them tell them that 'NAMASWE' said hi!! Whilst i was here i had the idea of putting together a booklet that very simply explains about HIV/AIDS, STD's, Female-Male Reproduction System and Sanitation, but never really got the time to do it (it's very easy to fall into African time!!), so if anyone fancies trying that project out, it would be great. Some of the things that Sharon and I did that i can try to remember are:

1-We stayed at Hotel Triangle Annex for a weekend in Jinja and shared a room, so it ended up being really cheap and a luxury weekend! I even had a hot bath and the food was great! I recommend the whole tilapia! We walked to Rumours Restaurant near the source of the Nile Plaque which is a Cafe on Stilts but unfortunately there was no power, but it was a lovely place.

2-We went on a Safari to Kenya with a company called African Point which cost us US $315.00 for 3days and it was well worth the money. Take the Scandinavian Bus to Nairobi. We were well looked after and stayed at Flamingo Camp and had an excellent weekend.

I would also advice you to be careful when showering as i got an ear infection from the water getting into my ears! Oh and also if you have any medical ailments,go to the Kampala International Hospital rather than the IAA, they are much much better. And if you are looking for fantastic food at a great price and you want to be well looked after then go to 'Cafe Viva' in Kampala. There are so many ups and downs here but make the most of your time. Enjoy! I will miss Valence and his team here in Lugazi and YOFAFO. If you fancy a good night,give Wilson a call,he really looked after me here. He's a great guy. Take care everyone-Bex(Namaswe)

Comment Date-Jan. 28th. 2008-By Elle Ti (Nabatanzi)

Welcome to Uganda and to YOFAFO! Hm,don't really know what to write....comments,suggestions,advice? Well,i have been with YOFAFO for 3months (In Uganda for 4 & Half) and i am sad to leave! I love it here.......Tell Valence what kinds of foods you like,and they will make it for you! Definitely get to know other Volunteers and hang out with them,you will need some other 'bazungu' friends. Megan-YOFAFO Peace Corps Volunteer-is awesome! Chapati is delicious! Jinja-particularly NRE Campsite-is a great weekend hangout on the Nile if you want to get away from Africa for a bit! Smile, be friendly, and open up and Ugandans will love you! Try to learn some Luganda, Ugandans love it when you speak their language! Doreen is an amazing cook,probably the best in the country. Murchison Falls is great and cheap through Red Chili Team. Teach the kids around Lugazi your name so they don't just call you Muzungu. The children at the Children's village are great kids(and they are crazy dancers!). Just connect with people, i think that means the most. One of the most long-term challenges i think volunteers face here is keeping things going once they leave.....i don't really know how to fix that,just a FYI. I don't really know what else to say,but please email me for anything! ---etietbohl@gmail.com---I hope you have an amazing experience,I am sure you will-you are with a great project! Your time will be up before you know it, so enjoy!----Uganda,I will miss you!

Comment Date-Sept. 1st. 2009-By Jessica Praznick-j_praznik@hotmail.com

Hello there New Volunteer,

So much has already been said by former volunteers so i probably going to repeat things. If you're scared right now,don't be,you are the luckiest volunteer in Uganda. YOFAFO is an amazing organization created by an extra-ordinary man;Valence, who married the best woman in the entire world,my best friend/momma (even if she says we're not)-Doreen, who together created "Captain Sus Pants" Joe! So take a deep breath and relax, you are in good hands. Lugazi is awesome,the best Rolex is in the taxi park, ask for Dennis. Simple Supermarket is great because the guys that work there are nice. If you're craving chocolate they have it! There are some great samosas just right of the house,the pea one is my favorite. You should check out the market on Wednesday,even if you aren't buying anything,it's fun just go! There's also a food market on the other side of Jinja road and at night if you want a snack they will have it. The taxis here are so much fun,the biggest number of people i got in one was 24(including babies!). Be prepared for animals on the taxi as well. For me i was teaching at the Children's village,P.5 and P.6. If you are lucky enough you will get to teach these kids,they are brilliant and you will have so much fun with them. Please,please,please teach these kids some serious things along these lines,they will need to know about them,and do this sooner thatn later or you'll be like me and time will have passed before you could teach it all.The walk to the Children's village is great, and if at first you don't like it you will. It's the best when you get to walk with the students. Well,i hope you'll have a great experience which i know you will,live it up,learn Luganda,everyone loves it when you speak it to them. And my final note is that if you mess with my soul sister Doreen, watch your back! Jessica Praznick 'Musota'