Volunteer Contribution Fee

Being a small organization with limited funding, we can not afford to cater for all expenses incured while a volunteer is staying with a host family or at the orphanage. We therefore request that a volunteer make some contribution toward expenses such as food and lodging. The fee should be paid to the Volunteer cordinator in Uganda in US dollars.  Please, this is NOT a donation to Uganda Rural Fund. The money is simply used by the host family to house and feed you. If you concerns about this contribution fee, please feel free to find alternative accomodation.

• First month fee:        $350.00 (U.S dollars).
• Second month:         $300.00
• Third month:             $250.00
• Subquent months:    $200.00  

What it covers:

• Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and evening tea): Only meals taken at the host family and at off-site project BUT not for personal outings.  Also, if working on a project off site and choose to eat at an expensive restaurant, you will be responsible for your meal expenses.
• Lodging: bed, mattress, blanket are provided. Please bring bedsheets. Also bring a towel and mosquito net and other personal toiletries.
• Fees also help with: bottled water, electricity bill, the cook/house maid, water transportation, phone calls by coordinator, and various basic utentials/supplies in the house to service your stay.
• $50 on your first month payment goes to support the kids at the orphanage with groceries.

PS. We buy bottled water for drinking.  Please be aware that certain things (groceries) can be expensive in Uganda. There is a tendence for some volunteers to think things are cheap in Uganda--and fail to realise how much it costs to cater for them.

<> Airport pick up fee: $100 If you need arrangements made for pick up, please be ready to remburse $100. For returning to airport, you can make your own arrangements or have the cordinator drop you off and remburse expenses. This has been raised from 80 to 100 because the dollar has fallen in value and gas prices are going up.

<> Internet fee: $20 (US.dollars): We have internet on site. We ask volunteers to make this contribution toward the monthly service fee. We hope this will make communication easier for you and your family and friends back home. It would cost you way more than this amount if you were to travel to cafes and pay per minute to use the internet.

<> Volunteer Application Fee: $30 (US.dollars): Non refundable. Pay after an interview with the volunteer cordinator. Mail cash or check to Uganda Rural Fund, 12829 River Road, Richmond, VA 23238. Any other volunteer fees are to be paid to the host family in Uganda.

What is NOT covered under the volunteer fee:

• Ground transportation. Some projects are not on-site and if arrangement is made to work off-site, we ask volunteers to contribute toward gas expenses and we rent the vehicle.  
• Medical expenses
• Meals not taken at the host family or service site
• Telephone expenses

<> Carrying Cash: Please make sure you carry larger bills of $50 or $100 and they should be printed at least after 2003. The bills should not look old, ripped, or wrinkled. The people at the banks are very picky; they wont accept old bills and they will give you a very low exchange rate for smaller bills. Please take this serious if you want to avoid frustrations. ATMs are available in Masaka and Kampala. More about monnies

Essentials: Please bring a pair of bedsheets, a mosquoto net, and a towel. See details about what to bring

Volunteer Personal Financial contribution to Community Projects

URF NEITHER requests nor expects volunteers to make financial contribution on any projects. If one wishes to do so, it's simply out their personal initiative. However, some volunteers have been able to use their personal funds or money raised from family and friends to initiate projects or contribute to existing projects. But it's not URF asking them to do so. It's their own initiative. Please do not feel pressured to make financial contribution just because others are doing so. If you wish to help out, it's okay, you can fundraise before you come and use your funds on desired projects. Some people can afford this and others can not. URF only expects you come with an open heart and passion to serve on existing project.

Return to Volunteer Manual for other volunteer tips!