If, having read all the information here, you still have burning questions please do get in touch with us.

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1 This guide is designed to give you a better idea of what to expect and how to prepare for your time in Uganda. Whether you are a first time or return traveller to Uganda, we hope it will answer the majority of your questions. For those of you keen to know more, we ll also point you in the right direction to find more in-depth information. If, having read all the information here, you still have burning questions please do get in touch with us. What happens before you go? We re a small team dedicated to looking after you, giving you useful advice, answering your questions and helping you to sort your travels. What you ll need to do Book your flights and let us have details once booked. Arrange suitable travel insurance and let us have details. Complete your CRB check. Pay your deposit then the balance one month before departure. Visit a nurse or travel clinic for advice on inoculations. Read all details and prepare as much as you can for your trip Take contact details of the in- country team and where you re going in your hand luggage - just in case! Get on the plane! A registered self addressed envelope if applying by mail.

2 Travel Arrangements One of the first things to do once you ve been accepted is to get your flights booked. Flight prices vary massively and when you find a bargain it s worth snapping it up! Booking flights You should book your flight to arrive into Entebbe International Airport, code EBB. Alternatively you can fly into Kigali in Rwanda (British and US citizens do not require a visa, but for some people this will result in also obtaining a Rwandan visa). Airport pick up We can arrange an airport pick up and accommodation for you, please let us know if you require this. Important note If you ve missed your flight or if your flight has severe delays please make sure you get in touch with the Operations Manager in Kabale (+256 (0) ). Insurance It is an Edirisa requirement that all travellers are covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy and you will not be able to commence your trip until we have proof of your coverage. You will need to consider your own circumstances to determine the policy that is right for you, but check whether your policy covers you for volunteering or light work and check the level of coverage for the following important things: Loss of baggage and personal belongings. Cancellation of your trip due to unforeseen circumstances. Personal liability. Medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become too ill to continue travelling. Any other activities included as part of your trip (e.g. trekking).

3 Visa information You need a tourist visa to enter Uganda. Dependent on your nationality you can get a 3 month tourist visa on arrival for US$50 (single entry). This fee must be paid in US dollar notes dated after 2004, notes dated before that date will not be accepted in Uganda. If you stay for a longer period you can either apply in advance at your nearest Ugandan embassy or you can extend it in country. You should state on the form that you are a tourist in order to avoid confusion at immigration as the perception of volunteers is that they are being paid a basic allowance. Passport holders of the following countries can get a visa on arrival for 3 months: United Kingdom; Ireland; most other countries of the European Union; United States; Canada; Australia and New Zealand. What you will need Your passport (valid for 6 months beyond your return date and showing at least 2 blank pages). Return or outward bound ticket of your next destination. Ensure that you have several blank pages in your passport to allow for customs to stamp. Volunteers from other countries Please contact your closest embassy/commission to see what your requirements are to get a tourist visa for Uganda. Make sure you apply for your visa well in advance to avoid delays and so that you get your passport and visa back before your departure. You will need to submit the following to your closest embassy/commission: A completed visa form. 2 passport sized photos of you. Confirmation of your itinerary (i.e. a photocopy of flight details). International Yellow Fever and Cholera vaccination certificate. Visa fee must be paid by cash (personal applications), postal or bank cheques for applications through the post. Please check the website of your Ugandan embassy/ commission for the current fee. A registered self addressed envelope if applying by mail.

4 Health and inoculations Your health is a vital thing to take care of while you re away! Getting ill can ruin an amazing experience so be sure to be prepared before you go. We re not trained medical experts, so a travel clinic or doctor will be the best people to speak with as they ll be able to give you up to date, accurate medical advice that is relevant to your circumstances. The information below is provided to help steer you in the right direction: Malaria Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes and you cannot be vaccinated against it. There is a high risk of malaria all year round in Uganda. You can help to avoid mosquito bites by covering up as much as possible in the evenings, using insect repellents on exposed skin and sleeping under a treated mosquito net. Mozi coils and citronella candles can be lit in the evenings to help keep the pests away. Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable anti-malarial tablets. As a general rule in Uganda the stronger and more effective tablets the better. There are many different types with some side-effects so please discuss this with your doctor. Remember malaria can develop up to one year after exposure, so if you do develop a fever or symptoms of malaria then seek medical advice to be on the safe side. Yellow Fever Yellow fever Immunization is compulsory to enter Uganda (particularly if travelling from an infected area) and you need to prove that you have been inoculated. Please note that yellow fever vaccinations take approximately 10 days to take effect. HIV/AIDS There are high levels of HIV/AIDS infection in Africa which is predominantly transmitted through sexual activity so don t worry about general contact with infected people. Exposure to blood, blood products or bodily fluids may put you at risk of becoming infected. If you believe you have been put at risk please visit a doctor or tell your in-country team straightaway, as there are treatments that can limit your chances of becoming infected but they need to be administered quickly. Don t take risks with your health in Africa.

5 Packing Suggestions Packing is a very personal thing; you could spend a small fortune buying up all those nifty travel items that you see in the shops! If you re on a tight budget then please don t feel the need to go overboard. You are normally able to buy most things that you need while you re in Uganda, particularly in the main cities. Part of the challenge and charm of this trip is that you probably won t have everything you consider necessary at home, so dive in and enjoy it! We have listed some items that we think may be useful to take with you General Light weight shoes and/or trainers Sandals and or/flip flops Sun hat and sunglasses (with UV protection) Personal drink bottle Towel Head torch (for use during power cuts) Camera/ binoculars (if you intent to go on a gorilla trek!) Wet wipes or waterless soap Padlock (to secure belongings when travelling) Insect repellent + mosquito net these can be bought cheaply in country (optional) First Aid Kit including: Paracetamol, antiseptic wipes, plasters, water purifying tablets, sunscreen (high factor), malaria prophylactics Day rucksack/backpack Sleeping bag liner or sleeping bag (if you intend to travel around) Personal hygiene pack e.g.; toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, toilet paper etc. Clothes that you don t mind getting dirty as some activities will be hands-on so best to avoid light colours. No revealing or provocative clothes (short sleeve t-shirts and 3/4 length trousers/ skirts are fine to wear). A rucksack/backpack or a suitcase? We would recommend taking a rucksack/backpack as these are handy to carry around when travelling. However, if you ve only got a suitcase then you can use this instead of making a new purchase. Suitcases are useful if you have plans to stay in one location for an extended time. Plug sockets Right is the plug that is used in Uganda (same as English plugs). We advise that you get an international adapter (you can buy these at most airports) so that you can use it for other destinations as well.

6 What happens when you arrive It is really important to know what happens when you arrive! If you arrive by plane we can pick you up from the airport if you require it. If you are already travelling around you can make your own way to the accommodation that you will be staying at for the first night. Your project will be in the Kabale region. Kampala to Kabale takes around 8 hours by bus. The journey from Kigali is two hours and we can arrange collection from the airport and accommodation if necessary. The Home of Edirisa (a hostel in Kabale) The Home of Edirisa Plot 1 Nyerere Avenue Opposite Hot Loaf Bakery/Little Ritz Restaurant Kabale T E. home@edirisa.org Orientation Your orientation will give you a good insight into Uganda, the culture, things to do and see, what to do in case of an emergency and much more! It can also be a good way to meet other volunteers.

7 Your in-country contact The Edirisa UK Operations Manager is George Kakonge and he will be your main contact for any questions, help or just a chat. george@edirisa.org.uk Tel (0) If you are expecting mail to be delivered while you re in Uganda please send to: Edirisa Volunteer Mail P.O. Box 318 Kabale Uganda Placement During your placement please ask questions or ask for help from the staff that work for Edirisa. Volunteers will be given a primary role, eg teaching, social work etc but should be open to having secondary roles when requested. Be flexible! In countries like Uganda things work differently to what you are used to back home. Enjoy it and talk to the in country team if you are not happy or if you want to get more involved!

8 Your Trip Travel safety Travelling in Uganda is basically trouble-free but you definitely need to keep your wits about you. You should follow these simple rules to avoid getting into trouble: Never carry anything you can t afford to lose and don t look like you may have valuables or a lot of cash. Expensive designer clothes can put you as much at risk as flashing your wallet or jewellery about. Listen to the advice of your in-country team and other locals on unsafe areas and general safety tips. Where possible stay in groups and avoid deserted areas Don t do anything you wouldn t do at home. People often behave differently abroad, doing things they wouldn t even consider doing at home. Before you do anything, stop and think would I do this at home? Don t leave your possessions lying around, as it only takes a minute for someone to walk past and pick them up. Don t leave your wallet on the table, your bag on the floor etc. Always keep money (and an emergency card) in two places, e.g. some in your wallet/money belt and some in your pocket. Female travellers should take particular care to dress responsibly (i.e. don t attract attention to yourself), and look confident wherever you go as the impression you give can be a deterrent to crime. Observe the local women and do as they do. Avoid stares and continual eye contact from men as this is often considered as a come-on. Also stick to places where there are lots of people. As a female traveller, being stared at constantly in Uganda is, unfortunately, something you will have to get used to and is often out of curiosity. Transportation Your project is normally reached by foot from your accommodation. Below you can find some more information on other types of transport in Uganda. Minibuses If you re looking for a less expensive option then you should consider shared mini buses (matatus) which operate a fixed rate policy and leave once all seats are filled. Bus Buses are great for budget travellers and will take you to most major cities, other routes are available but they run much less regularly so you will need to plan in advance.

9 Money Cash The local currency in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX) and you can change money on arrival. You can exchange British pounds, Euros and US dollars at a bank or foreign exchange bureau. If you are bringing US dollars, please ensure that they are not printed before 2004 and the notes should be in denominations higher than US$50 as they fetch better exchange rates Bank/credit cards Before leaving it s best to check with your bank as to whether your card is accepted in Uganda. It is best not to rely solely on credit cards since power shortages can happen. ATMs are available in major towns. VISA cards and MasterCards are accepted at larger retailers and all ATMs. AMEX and Diners are not usually accepted in Uganda. Be sure to tell your bank of your travel plans before leaving your home country. Using a card overseas can sometimes cause them to freeze your account if they don t know you re away. Traveller s cheques In Uganda travellers cheques are difficult to cash so we would advise against using these. Travel money cards/cash passport Cash Passport is a prepaid travel money card available in different currencies (GBP, EUR, USD, NZD, AUD, CAD etc.). You can nominate one of the listed currencies e.g. US$ which will allow you to withdraw local currency at over 1 million VISA ATMs. This card is not linked to your bank account which means it is much safer! For more details check out: or ask your bank or post office if they have a similar product. Budgeting Budgeting is a very individual thing and can vary from person to person. In general 60/ 70 per month is adequate to cover food costs. We recommend you spend some time seeing how amazing Uganda is but you need to make sure that you budget for trips during the weekend or outside of your placement time. You will also need to ensure you have some monies, or access to funds, for any unforeseen expenses such as emergencies e.g. medical expenses where you may have to pay upfront before making a claim through to insurance. It is advisable to have a credit card with a reasonable credit limit just in case you need it. You need to think of other things that you might need to budget for e.g. shampoo, sunscreen, SIM/ phone cards, cultural activities, souvenirs or any other items you might need to buy when you are in country. If you stick to local brands they will be cheaper.

10 Staying in touch It s a good idea if you contact at least one person from home to let them know that you have arrived safely in country. Make sure you do this within the first day of your arrival. How to stay in contact You can use your mobile phone but these costs can be very expensive. Please check before you leave what the costs are with your provider. Be aware that most providers will also charge if someone calls you! You can buy phone cards that offer cheap rates to call home. Ask our team in country for advice on where to buy them. Another option is to buy a global SIM card before you go or take a global phone card. Alternatively if you are staying in Uganda for a long time you might want to check out buying a local SIM card. Your phone will need to be unlocked for other networks but this could be a good way for your family to call you. For advice on where to get these please ask the in country team at orientation. Internet is the easiest way of staying in touch. You will find that the connection is slower then at home but you can find internet cafes almost everywhere! Mobile broadband is becoming more popular and you can buy Ugandan usb internet devices in most cities. Emergency If something happens at home and your family or friends need to reach you, the best person to call is the Edirisa UK Operations Manager,-- George Kakonge (unless you have your own phone). Make sure you leave his contact details at home for your family and friends.

11 Getting the most out of your volunteering As a volunteer, you will need to show patience and initiative to cope with the variety of projects and the sheer volume of children in the classes. You could be working with children from difficult and deprived backgrounds. Some have been abused, neglected or abandoned. As a result, they may be badly behaved, attention seeking, introverted or clingy. They all act out their emotions in different ways so try to be understanding of this and sensitive to their behaviour. Bringing resources to your project Schools are poorly resourced and therefore if you are coming to assist in the schools you will need to be creative in your approach to teaching. Whilst it is a good idea for you to bring a few resources for your project, please only bring what you can fit into your standard backpack/suitcase and do not exceed the baggage allowance (as you may be asked to pay large amounts of money to bring them into Uganda). Sending goods to Uganda by ship/air is best avoided as it can be a costly and time consuming process. It is generally recommended to wait until you are in Uganda before buying resources for your project, most basic scholastic materials can be sourced locally and your money will go further. Please contact us for ideas on what may be needed. Your role as an Edirisa Volunteer While you re in Uganda you ll be interacting with the local community and this means that you ll come face-to-face with a number of cultural differences. While in Uganda you are a representative of Edirisa UK and we would appreciate it if you could adhere to the following: Clothing: Whilst interacting with Ugandans we ask you not to show your legs above the knee, bare your shoulders, or wear low cut tops. This is considered immodest and disrespectful to the locals. Alcohol: We prefer that you don t drink in front of children at all, and not to excess in front of locals. Smoking: Please do not smoke in front of children. Marijuana is prohibited at all of our locations (as are all other drugs). Listen to and respect your in-country team, they are the experts and are there to help you. Consider the way you behave and what impact it has to the local community, their opinion of you and other foreigners. Look at what the locals do; how they dress, what time they stay out until, how they behave and try to fit in with them as much as possible. Avoid trouble; this could be demonstrations, it could be a local person with a bad reputation or it may just be letting your hair down too much. Think about your safety first; remember you are not at home!

12 At the end of your trip Leaving your placement Our in-country team can tell you what the best and cheapest way is to get to the airport so please ask them for advice. Alternatively, we can arrange this for you prior to your trip. If you are planning on staying in Uganda after your volunteering project finishes, please ensure you have arranged additional accommodation for your stay prior to arriving in Uganda. Please contact the support team if you need further help or advice on this. You can keep in touch with Edirisa by joining our Facebook pages - Edirisa UK - and following our Blog, found on our website. Spread the word about our work and fundraise for our projects. The value of volunteers Since the stabilisation of the government, the tourism market has begun to emerge, exposing the people to more and more travellers who come to discover more remote locations within Africa. As a result, English is more widely recognised and as such, learning English and developing marketable skills is the route to a better life for many Ugandans. The projects that we work with offer valuable support to children or young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Education is seen as a privilege in Uganda and until recently was reserved for those who could afford to pay school fees. In 1997 primary education became free for four children in every family and (in theory) universally accessible. With very little funds the schools particularly in rural areas simply cannot afford to hire new teachers or purchase resources. The support of volunteers is critical in order to continue providing the most basic of education to children. Creativity is absent in the schools and by running creative workshops we are providing a unique opportunity for children to explore new ground and discover painting. It is important to take into account that local teachers are underpaid and not very motivated because for most of them this wasn t the career of their choice. Their teaching is based on rote and authority. Volunteers bring a different approach, open up new worlds to children. The support that volunteers provide allows young people to improve their English skills and gain an insight into Western culture, which will create more opportunities for them in the future in finding jobs.