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The objective of the Uganda teaching program is to contribute to the academic development of poor local schools in order to provide the best opportunity...

...for Ugandans from poorer backgrounds to still receive quality education.

Teaching at a Ugandan community school is an experience not to be missed. Although their lives have been tough, the local children are extremely, polite, cheerful and friendly and are eager to learn. The presence of a mzungu (westerner) is always a great novelty for them. Volunteers are required to teach children ranging in age from 4-17 years. Typical subjects taught include – English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art and Physical Education. Schools in Uganda run for three terms a year although the school terms vary from year to year but are approximately as follows: (Term One – January to March, Term Two – May to July, Term Three – September to November). There are short breaks between these terms in the months of April, August and December during which time volunteers can take a break, travel, engage in tourist activities such as safari, take tutorials (holiday classes), or participate in another placement, (for example; volunteers can assist with the physical upkeep of the school such as painting, decorating and mending desks or work on an orphanage project) N.B. Volunteers DO NOT need to be a qualified or experienced teacher. Volunteer simply need enthusiasm, an open mind, caring spirit and a compassionate nature.

IVHQ Example Placement: Bupagengo Primary School – Located in the rural slum village of Bupagengo, this school has over 500 children ranging in age from 4 to 17. Previous to the establishment of this school, many children were not attending school and others were walking up to seven kilometres every day to attend school in a neighboring village. Approximately 60% of these children are orphaned and lived with extended families struggling to provide for their own children. Many Bupagendo children come from broken families in which they are not properly cared for (i.e. inadequate food, lack of basic healthcare).

NB - This is just one of many teaching placements IVHQ has in Uganda and is used here as an example. It is not necessarily the one you will be working at.