Kindergarten Support in Kajjansi, Uganda

WHY we need you in Uganda

_Participant with children in the classroom

HOW can you help?

WHAT can you do?

Why Involvement Volunteers International?

_Two children

  PROJECT NAME: KINDERGARTEN SUPPORT

LOCATION: KAJJANSI

  START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS) 

  ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE

  MIN DURATION: 1 WEEK

  MIN AGE: 16+

  SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Yellow fever vaccineCriminal background check required

    

Overview

Join us in supporting kindergartens in Kajjansi, where children under five are cared for in a safe and nurturing environment while their parents are at work. With limited resources, your support can truly change lives.

As a volunteer, you’ll help with daily childcare, support basic hygiene routines, and bring joy through fun, educational activities like teaching simple English, singing songs, and playing games. You’ll also work alongside local teachers, helping prepare lessons and organise creative learning experiences.

Program Highlights:

  • Hands-On Childcare: Assist with feeding, hygiene, and daily care routines for toddlers and young children.
  • Creative Education: Help prepare lessons and lead fun activities such as English games, singing, dancing, storytelling, and colouring.
  • Cultural Connection: Share your background while learning about Ugandan culture from the local staff and children.
  • Skill Building: Develop valuable experience in early childhood education, planning lessons, and organizing group activities.
  • Meaningful Impact: Play an important role in supporting children’s early development and wellbeing.
  • Open to All: Whether you have teaching experience or simply a heart for helping, your contribution is welcome and appreciated.

What You’ll Do:

  • Prepare and serve meals, and help feed the children.
  • Assist with hygiene routines like nail trimming, hair brushing, hand washing, and brushing teeth.
  • Support English learning with the help of local teachers.
  • Plan and organize fun and educational activities.
  • Lead songs, dances, storytelling, and interactive play sessions.
  • Join in with ongoing centre or school activities.
  • Help prepare and mark simple assessments or monthly evaluations.

Location

Kajjansi is a small but growing town located along the main road between Uganda’s capital city, Kampala, and Entebbe International Airport. It offers a peaceful, semi-rural setting while still being conveniently close to urban amenities. Surrounded by lush greenery and small farms, Kajjansi is known for its tight-knit community, local markets, and artisanal craft centres.

Project Tasks

  • Help the local children improve their conversational English
  • Give you practical experience in teaching
  • Assist the program staff with extra hands

Food & Accommodation

You’ll be accommodated in either a local homestay or our rural volunteer centre. The homestay offers a more comfortable experience with a cozy family atmosphere, while the farm-based accommodation is simpler and gives you a truly authentic rural living experience.

Rooms are single gender and will be shared with 4-8 volunteers. There are no fans, AC, or hot showers, and laundry needs to be hand washed, with brushes and buckets provided. Bed linen is included.

There are numerous shops within 10-15 minutes walking distance of our homestay. The homestay can arrange transportation to Kampala. Local transportation from farm accommodation is much less frequent, but arrangements can be made and/or information provided to help you get to Kampala, Uganda’s capital.

We ask that all participants live sustainably and use resources like water, electricity, and paper mindfully. Everyone is responsible for cleaning up after themselves and helping to keep the living spaces clean and organised.

Please note that there is no WiFi available at either location. To stay connected, you’ll need to purchase a local SIM card with mobile data.

Ugandan cuisine will be served, which means plenty of vegetables, potatoes, bananas, bread, and pancakes. Some dishes may contain meat, but if you are vegetarian, please notify your coordinator.

 

FAQ

If you love working with young people, are energetic and want to inspire the furture generation, then yes absolutely! Teaching in a foreign country can be challenging but the rewards are even greater.

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Lombok International Airport (LOP). You must arrive between 06:00 to 20:00 on Sunday.

If arriving outside of the pickup times, you can pay an additional fee for a private pickup and any extra nights, depending on availability.

Journey time from the airport (via road) to the Lombok accommodation takes 1 hour. 

  • Accommodation
  • 3 meals p/day & 2 p/day at weekends
  • Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
  • Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
  • 1 day orientation
  • Daily transportation to project
  • In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
  • Fundraising support
  • University course credits (where applicable)
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Ferry to and from Nusa Penida (only Sunday before project and Saturday after project)
  • Airfares
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project.

A free airport pickup is included on Saturday or Sunday when arriving to Entebbe International Airport (EBB). You must arrive by one of the pickup times (10am or 2pm). 

If arriving outside of the pickup times, you can pay an additional fee for a private pickup and any extra nights, depending on availability. Saturday arrivals need to book an extra night accommodation for an additional charge.

Journey time from the airport the accommodation centre takes 1-2 hours. 

You will attend our orientation day on Monday of your first week at this location to become acquainted with the surroundings as well as the local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday until the end of the week.

Schedule

  • Following breakfast, we will have an introduction meeting, discuss house rules, set expectations, get health and safety advice, and handle documents.
  • Ugandan Dos and Don’ts, a cultural introduction, a history of the nation, and lessons in the Swahili language.
  • Take a tour of the compound and the neighborhood to learn about local shops and how to get a SIM card if required.
  • Continue your tour of the neighborhood and become acquainted with your surroundings after lunch. A special dinner is served in the evening to welcome you to Uganda!

Monday to Friday

You will be working for 4-5 hours per day. Some of the nurseries/kindergartens are located 10 minutes away by foot, while others can be from 30 minutes to an hour away by car. Below is what a typical day might look like:

  • Breakfast
  • Work at the kindergarten/nursery
  • Lunch
  • Work at the kindergarten/nursery
  • Back to the accommodation
  • Free time
  • Dinner

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***

Things to Do in Uganda

  • Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – A once-in-a-lifetime chance to see endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
  • Safari in Murchison Falls National Park – See elephants, lions, giraffes, and hippos in one of Uganda’s most stunning parks, capped off by the thunderous Murchison Falls.
  • Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest – A close encounter with our closest relatives in a lush tropical forest.
  • White-Water Rafting on the Nile River – Thrill-seekers love Jinja, the adventure capital of East Africa.
  • Boat Safaris on the Kazinga Channel – Spot elephants, buffalo, and crocodiles from the water in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Hiking the Rwenzori Mountains – Known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” these peaks are a challenge for trekkers and a paradise for nature enthusiasts.
  • Cultural Tours in Kampala – Visit the Uganda Museum, Ndere Cultural Centre, and bustling markets like Owino.
  • Relax at Lake Bunyonyi – Canoe across this tranquil, island-studded lake surrounded by rolling hills.

Things to Do in Kajjansi

Kajjansi is a small but lively town located on the main road between Kampala and Entebbe.

  • Visit Kajjansi Craft Village – Support local artisans by purchasing handmade crafts, jewelry, and textiles. Some centres offer workshops where you can learn skills like weaving or bead-making.
  • Explore Local Markets – Wander through Kajjansi’s bustling market to experience daily life, try fresh produce, and interact with locals.
  • Take a Trip to Lake Victoria – Uganda’s share of Africa’s largest lake is just a short drive away and perfect for boat rides, birdwatching, and picnicking.
  • Visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe – Just 30–40 minutes away, this zoo-like conservation centre is home to rescued native wildlife.
  • Birdwatching and Nature Walks – The area around Kajjansi is rich in birdlife and lush greenery, great for casual hikes or photography.
  • Easy Day Trips to Kampala or Entebbe – Whether you’re up for nightlife, shopping, or historical sites, both cities are within easy reach for a day out.

Additional Requirements

  • Genuine interest in teaching and working with children.
  • Energy, patience, and adaptability.
  • Medical clearance for participants over 65 years.
  • Signed parental consent for participants under 18 years
  • Proof of yellow fever vaccination (mandatory)
  • Have completed or are recommended to have the following vaccines: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), chickenpox, and influenza

Additional Equipment

Packing List
        Clothing

  • Modest clothing (covers knees and shoulders)
  • Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
  • Sun hat, fleece sweater, windproof rain jacket (depending on weather)

 

Documents

  • Passport
  • Flight info, insurance, vouchers, visas, and vaccination certificates (with photocopies)

 

Health & Safety:

  • Hand sanitizer, face masks (if required)
  • First-aid kit (medications, sunscreen, insect repellent, rehydration tablets)

 

Essentials:

  • Toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc.)
  • Day pack, small travel towel, reusable water bottle
  • Moneybelt, locks for bags
  • Personal entertainment (books, cards, music player)

 

Optional Items:

  • Games, books, color pencils, chalk, rulers, etc.
  • Pictures from your country, family, and friends.
  • Other small cultural objects from your country of origin.

For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: UG – Holidays – All Programs

Uganda is a landlocked country located in East Africa, bordered by Kenya to the east, Tanzania to the south, Rwanda to the southwest, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and South Sudan to the north. With a population of approximately 48 million people, Uganda is one of the most youthful countries in the world, with the majority of its citizens under the age of 30. The capital city, Kampala, is a lively urban hub known for its markets, nightlife, and cultural diversity.

Religion plays an important role in Ugandan life, with Christianity and Islam being the most practiced faiths. Geographically, Uganda is part of the African Great Lakes region and boasts incredible biodiversity, including a portion of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. Its varied landscape includes mountains, savannahs, forests, and wetlands, making it an exciting destination for travellers and conservationists alike.

Uganda’s location near the equator gives it a tropical climate that is generally warm and pleasant throughout the year. Average daily temperatures range from 25°C to 29°C (77°F–84°F), making it comfortable for most travellers. The country experiences two main rainy seasons—from March to May and September to November—which can make rural roads difficult to navigate. The dry seasons (December–February and June–August) are the best times for travel and outdoor activities. Elevation also plays a role in climate; higher-altitude regions like Kabale or the Rwenzori Mountains can be quite cool, especially at night.

Uganda has a mix of diverse cultures, ethnicities, and traditions, with over 50 ethnic groups, each with its own language and customs. The Baganda are the largest ethnic group and dominate the central region, but others like the Basoga, Banyankole, Bakiga, and Acholi contribute to the nation’s rich heritage. Traditional music, dance, and storytelling are integral to social life, often performed during community gatherings, weddings, and festivals. Respect for elders, hospitality, and strong community ties are central to Ugandan society. Religion also plays a significant role in daily life, with many people attending church or mosque regularly. Visitors are often struck by the warmth and friendliness of the Ugandan people, making cultural exchange a rewarding part of any trip.

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