Testimonial

I have spent 2 weeks here in Mbale and it was my 3rd project in Uganda. I hadn't chosen this project initially because it had no prior review on Workaway. I am very thankful that Ssembatya convinced me to come. My experience in Uganda would not have been the same without my stay in Mbale.
Ssembatya is a dedicated hardworking and very generous man who runs a primary school for 280 underpriviledged children. He provides for everything to run the school as well as he can and also gives shelter to 15 kids who have nowhere else to go. On top of this, he also studies medicine in Kampala. Mbale is a poor area and the children would not go to school if it were not for him.
Be ready to get out of your comfort zone and see for yourself the many challenges poverty creates (water and sanitation, lack of basic school equipment, dilapidated buildings). Be also ready to meet truly kind human beings, eager to make things better, and who are doing everything in their power to educate the children in a safe environment. Ssembatya and his staff will welcome you as friends and they will get out of their way to make you happy and comfortable. A special thanks to Grace who was my guardian angel for the duration of my stay. You will stay forever in my heart.
The accommodation and the food were very good. I have been regularly overfed !
The children are not used to see foreigners (I might have been the first white person some of them have ever seen) and were a bit shy at first, but soon they were smiling and making jokes. The first week was mainly preparation for the school's Sports day, and the second week was exam time. There is no strict schedule for volunteers. You need to be flexible. Any initiative you may have will be welcome.
If you want a real Ugandan immersion, this is the place. There are so many things to do and just showing up will make a big difference in the children's life. Ssembatya deserves all the help he can get and you will not regret it.

Joined: 30 August 2026