Visiting Love in Action as a Volunteer.
Your trip is sure to be a rewarding and life-changing time.
 

Please note - We welcome visitors from overseas but if you want to help then this is by application only.

Please email us for further details.

Here is some information to make your trip a success:

Prior to Departure

Upon Arrival

While In Uganda


Prior to Departure

MEDICAL PREPARATIONS

It is important that you prepare yourself physically for the change in environment.

Yellow Fever Vaccine (required by law)

Be sure to ask the medical professional providing you with the vaccine for an International Vaccination Record. (This is a yellow card which serves as proof that you have actually received the vaccination. You may be asked to present this at immigration.)

Anti-Malarial Medication (strongly recommended)

There are many options here. (See your doctor to find out which is best for you.)

Three options seem to top the list:

1. Malarone (Highly Recommended)

DOSAGE: Once a day starting two weeks prior to your arrival date in Uganda, and continued for four weeks following your departure.

SIDE EFFECTS: Mild. See your physician for details.

2. Lariam

DOSAGE: Once a week starting two-to-four weeks prior to your arrival date in Uganda, and continued for four weeks following your departure.

SIDE EFFECTS: Can be serious. They include extreme irritability, severe nightmares, and drastic personality changes.

3. Doxycycline (an antibiotic)

DOSAGE: Once a day starting one week prior to your arrival date in Uganda, and continued for four weeks following your departure.

SIDE EFFECTS: Increased sun sensitivity. Can cause skin issues.

Other Vaccines (not required, but strongly recommended)

Ø Hepatitis A

Ø Hepatitis B

Ø MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)

Ø Tetanus

Ø Typhoid

Ø Polio

Ø Spinal Meningitis

MONEY

It is important that you bring money in the right form. Here is some information to help you make the right choices (please read carefully):

Cash is used for virtually everything. Come prepared.

Ø Bring US dollars or UK Pounds ONLY.

Ø Bring crisp un-torn notes ONLY. (Anything else is costly, if not impossible, to change.)

Credit cards are accepted in only a few locations. Bring for emergency use only. Barclays Bank have a branch in Masaka where you can draw cash on Credit Cards (Visa or Mastercard).

Personal Cheques are not accepted and are dangerous due to the fact that they are can be “washed” and rewritten for huge amounts. Do not bring personal cheques.

Traveller's Cheques are difficult to cash, and are charged an exorbitant exchange rate. Not recommended.

CLOTHES

The people of Uganda generally take great pride in their appearance. You will probably feel underdressed if you bring only old, casual clothing.

Here are some hints:

Female visitors will likely feel more comfortable in skirts and dresses, making sure that the knees and shoulders are covered.

Male visitors should plan to bring trousers and button-up shirts.

Oh, and don’t forget a rain jacket and an umbrella.

OTHER ITEMS TO BRING

Mosquito repellent (Especially important due to the current outbreak of malaria.)

Sunscreen (Especially if using Doxycycline as an anti-malarial)

Sunglasses

Camera

· Film--and lots of it!

·

Airport Transfer Expenses A member of staff will be happy to pick you up at the airport, and to stay with you in Kampala the first night.Since it is quite dangerous to travel during darkness (7pm - 7am), you will need to plan to stay at a hotel in Entebbe [about 40 minutes from Kampala] the night before your flight. We make a charge of £75 for collection / return service.

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Upon Arrival

UGANDAN IMMIGRATION

Entering a new country is exciting and worry-free if you come prepared with the following:

Tourist Visa

You may purchase your visa at the airport upon arrival, or in advance through the Ugandan Embassy. Here are details for each process:

Ø Purchasing visa upon arrival at Entebbe airport (recommended by Love in Action):

Please note the arrivals area has been completly rebuilt in November 2007 so this section is subject to change!

1.Once you have disembarked the aircraft, and entered the terminal, join the immigration line

2.Present your passport along with $50.00 (US) or £30. Your passport will be stamped with a three-month visa.

3. Proceed directly to baggage collection.

Purchasing Visa in Advance

You can purchase a visa in advance - contact your nearest embassy for details

AMERICAN CITIZENS

The Embassy of the Republic of Uganda

5909 16th Street NW

Washington, DC 20011

Tel: 202.726.0416 Fax: 202.726.1727

BRITISH SUBJECTS

The Embassy of the Republic of Uganda

Uganda House

Trafalgar Square

London WC2 5DX

Tel: 071.839.5783 Fax: 071.839.8925

CANADIAN CITIZENS

The Embassy of the Republic of Uganda

231 Coburg Street

Ottawa

Tel: 789.7797 Fax: 232.6689

Passport You must have a valid passport with at least 6 month before it expires.

International Vaccination Record

This is a yellow card obtained from the medical professional providing you with the vaccine. It serves as proof that you have actually received the vaccination. You may be asked to present this at immigration.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

On arrival we will take you to a Kampala forex bureau, where you can change your currency into Ugandan Shillings.

The drive from Kampala to Masaka is about two hours to the southwest.

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While In Uganda

PRECAUTIONS

Uganda is a beautiful and wonderful place. Follow these simple suggestions for a comfortable stay:

D Drink only bottled water. (Readily available.) Be sure seal is not broken.

When not on the Love in Action site(s), do not eat fresh fruits and vegetables unless you know that they have been washed and prepared properly.

If in a restaurant, avoid buffets. The food sits for a long time, thus increasing the chance of getting food poisoning.

Avoid any movement after dark.

Accomodation

Amenities

Every effort will be made to be sure that you are comfortable while at Love in Action. Our amenities include:

Ø Facilities normally described as “western”.

Ø Email. You may send and receive emails at our Internet Cafe.

Ø Washing machine (no dryer).

Room and Board

You will be hosted by one of the families working with the project in their home. A charge of £35 per person per week is made to cover the cost of your food.

Safari

Uganda has some excellent Wildlife and National Parks. While here you are welcome to go on safari and see Lion, Elephant, Ugandan Cob, Buffalo, Hippo, Hundreds of different birds, gorillas etc. Please email for details.

Enjoy your stay