We welcome all persons that love to startup a project in Uganda to share their skills, tools and resources to better our communities. We have plenty of opportunities to grab in the sectors of Health, Education, Business and Entrepreneurship, Energy, Agriculture, among others. You will support and work with children, adolescents, teenagers, youth, girls and women as your beneficiaries. You’ll partner with us to offer your skills on a day-to-day basis with community support to build your dream project.

Under the Volunteers Fellowship, everyone is free to startup a project of their own choice and select their own beneficiaries. This enables you to work directly and interact with the beneficiaries on a personal level through our guidance. You can as well work in any part of the country through our partners to achieve your project goals and personal dreams. The Fellowship also allows you to travel and you enjoy the beautiful sceneries across the country with our guidance. You are guaranteed to build new networks, accomplish your project, gain professional development skills, enjoy our different cultures in the Pearl of Uganda.

Story By Sharlot

It always starts with you; a positive mindset is everything you ever need in life. It was a beautiful morning when I thought about working with nonprofits. I immediately acted on my thought by picking up my phone to search for available opportunities. I landed on the advert where Habitation for Empowerment Network in Uganda was calling for volunteers/internship students. Oh! Voluntary work! I was excited because it would allow me to serve and make someone else’s life better. I was successful in my application, was invited to Uganda then placed to serve in Njeru West Village, Buikwe District, somewhere in the central region of Uganda.

The Pre-Service Training was an exciting time for me meeting the organization staff and other vibrant community people from diverse backgrounds passionate about serving local communities. It was a fascinating learning experience being equipped with various knowledge and skills for our service. My colleagues later became family.  

Staying with my host family allowed me to embrace the local culture and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the community members as well as build trust. I initiated some integration activities in the community like making kitchen gardens and saving groups, encouraging members to work as a team and take ownership of their development.  

My Startup Project

One of my great joys is our saving group; The Village Fund. Our saving group is a bit different from the usual ones. In our savings group, our collections start from one thousand shillings onwards.  Every Sunday at 4 pm, our group of thirty-seven members meets not only to save but share experiences and ideas to economically develop members. In each sitting, we collect thirty-seven thousand shillings (37,000 Ugx equivalent to US$10) which is given out to a lucky member chosen through lots. The first lot member uses the money to startup a business that generates income back quickly like selling vegetables, fruits, etc. In the next meeting, the second lot member gets, and the cycle continues until the last member gets money to start a business. It is a joy to see people who were not working together before now meet and share so much to grow themselves.

Agatha is another community member who makes me proud because of the steps she has taken in her economic development. She is one of the farmers who I supported to do commercial vegetable gardening. Having set up a grocery stall near her home, she had the opportunity to sell her vegetables. In a day, she can earn at least 7,000 Ugx equivalent to US$2 which she wasn’t earning before diversifying her stock with vegetables.  Whenever I visit and see her sell her vegetables, my heart is content. 

I have learned that a hard start doesn’t have to dictate how my service ends. I have learned to wear my boots and get into a garden to help a community member, have a laugh with members along the way, go to schools to set up vegetable gardens, and play with children. Community service keeps on shaping me by the day in communication, interpersonal skills, mobilization, and critical thinking. This is a life-changing opportunity for me. 

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Our future Goal:

The Volunteer Fellowship Program under Habitation for Empowerment Network is looking forward to acquiring volunteers to startup simple projects within our communities to share their valuable skills, experience, tools and resources. We wholehearted welcome you to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.

Please share within your networks, friends, family and well-wishers. For more Information, contact us +256704224948 and haven@hafug.org