Become a Volunteer

Book/reserve your desired volunteer project at least 1 month prior to your departure date (Though we allow for flexibility due to travel constraints).

If possible, we suggest you apply a few months in advance to ensure availability at your chosen project, and to give IRUCE and yourself plenty of time to make all of the needed arrangements and preparations.

Each application must be submitted with a $300 program deposit fee. IRUCE guarantees you a placement but must prepare essentials for maintenance.

In case you cancel, the program deposit will be refunded per our financial policy.

Full refund if you cancel within 24 hours, Full refund if we fail to give you a placement 50% refund if you cancel within 3 days, 25% refund if you cancel within 7 days, No refund after 7 days No refund for situations beyond our control like war, disease outbreaks, natural calamities etc.

Once we receive your application with your program deposit, we will revert on your application within 24 hours for processing. Our coordinator will carefully review your interests and experience, find the most suitable volunteer placement for you, and make all the arrangements for your housing, food, and other forms of logistical support. And subsequently send you a letter of acceptance and all the full details of your project, home stay, and other arrangements.

You can be rest assured that we have carefully vetted all of these things so that you will have a safe, secure, and satisfying volunteer experience.

Once you receive your confirmation and placement details from IRUCE, there are a number of steps you will need to take to prepare for your volunteer trip.

First you will need to book your flight. Do not wait to do this until the last minute, as you will pay more for your flight, and IRUCE needs time to make arrangements for your accommodations and airport pick-up. Once you have booked your flight, please e-mail us a photocopy of your passport and your trip itinerary to our office.

All IRUCE volunteers are required to purchase reliable travel insurance in order to participate in our programs, and you will need to do this before you depart your home country. If you need help finding and securing a reliable policy that is appropriate for you, IRUCE can help you with this.

You should make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your upcoming trip. He/she will advise you on any and all health precautions you should take based on your destination, and let you know which vaccinations you will need for travel.

You should be up to date on your routine vaccines, and each country you are traveling to will have a different set of vaccines that you may need to get to protect yourself. Be sure to let your doctor know if you will be traveling to and working in rural or impoverished areas, and if you will be coming into contact with wildlife during your volunteer work.

You will need to research the visa requirements based on your destination, length of travel, and your home country. Every country has different requirements regarding this, and these will vary based on your own nationality. Most often volunteers will need a tourist visa.

Although some countries may allow you to apply for a visa upon arrival at the airport, we advise you always apply for and acquire a visa prior to travel to avoid any issues. Visa applications can take up to a few weeks to be processed, so please do this well in advance of your travel to ensure you are ready and will be able to gain entry.

You will be traveling to a new country and immersing yourself in a new culture. Each culture has its own customs and expected behaviors, dress codes, etc. In order to deepen your understanding of the place you are traveling to, as well as the people you are working with, and to be sure that you are always respectful of cultural customs, we recommend you research the country you are going to be volunteering in before departing on your trip. In most cases different languages are spoken in Uganda, depending on place of placement.

Participants must make a full payment of the program fee at least 1 month prior to departure. You will also need to budget for extra activities and recreational travel to make the most of your free time abroad.

After we receive your flight itinerary, this information will be passed to our country coordinator. Our airport representative will be informed at what date and time to pick you up, and they will be there waiting for you The next day, your program starts with an orientation class. At your orientation you will learn all about your program, what to expect, your duties, your schedule, etc. In Uganda for your volunteering experience, you are assured of the best weather both rain and sunshine and a rich culture with diverse customs.

After your orientation you will finally be ready to get started at your volunteer project!