INTRODUCTION
The Medium and Long Term Volunteer Program (MLTV program) is an international volunteer exchange program that is

run by Uganda Pioneers' Association (UPA). UPA has hosted international volunteers since it’s inception in 1989. UPA

uses volunteer exchange and intercultural cooperation as tools to promote community based development, intercultural

understanding and youth participation through voluntary work. 
The objectives of the MLTV program are to:

• Contribute to the development of community based social services
• Promote and improve natural and acquired skills useful to the community
• Promote and exchange cultures in order to create friendship and mutual understanding
• Encourage the youth as dynamic age group to take leading roles in development

UPA partners with organisations/institutions and projects that aim at the development of the local communities. These

projects include; schools (primary and secondary), orphanages, hospitals, children with special needs and working with

community based organisations and Non-Government Organisations. 
How to participate
Participants are required to pay a participation fee of Euro 500 (five hundred Euros) on arrival for a period of 1- 3months

 and 80 Euros (eighty Euros) in advance for each additional month/s. The fee covers pick up from the airport or bus terminal upon arrival in Uganda, on-arrival training (orientation), guesthouse maintenance, accommodation and other operational

bills for water, cooking gas, power, kitchen utensils and a monthly contribution for those living in host families, project

evaluations and administration costs. Volunteers are advised to have a comprehensive study of our volunteer’s guidebook

to acquaint themselves with the dynamics of volunteering with UPA and our projects before making decision. 
Cancellation of participation
Cancellation of participation before the project starts while in Uganda will attract a 50% refund. In case a volunteer cancels

his/her participation during the project, no refund of any amount of the participation fee. This is because a lot of expenses

are incurred in communication, airport pick up, orientation, prior preparations before the project and other logistics. However if a volunteer cancels his/her participation before arriving in Uganda, he will be given back the entire fee if payments were

made prior to their arrival in the country. 
Orientation
Upon arrival, you will be given a 3 days orientation at the UPA office. UPA will share with you information about Uganda

mainly covering history, cultures, economy, political situation and social aspects. It also includes a one day tour to Kampala,

assisting you in getting the basic necessities for example SIM Card, Internet and bank services etc. and getting to know

how the transport system works.
More still, the volunteer undergoes through the orientation of UPA and its partners and programmes. After all that, UPA

introduces the volunteer to his/her project.
Evaluation
During your placement on the project, there will be regular evaluations to check on you and your project performance. In

addition there are regular volunteer meetings to talk about your placement, your wellbeing and anything. Apart from that,

the UPA office is always open for any concerns and you are always welcome anytime. 
End of Projects
All volunteers joining our MLTV projects shall be required to submit a written report of their experience to UPA and a copy

to the host project. Volunteers are also welcome to share their experiences with UPA during the final evaluations.
Accommodation
UPA has a guesthouse for the international volunteers that can accommodate up to 18 volunteers at a time. The volunteers

have to share rooms with others. The guesthouse has basic facilities including a kitchen, a bathroom, a toilet and latrines.

Apart from the guesthouse you can choose to stay with a host family. The host families are either in the same area with the

guesthouse and the UPA office or can be chosen close to your project. Staying with a host family gives you the chance to

get in touch with the Ugandan cultures on a different level than staying in the guesthouse among other international

volunteers, even though the standard of living might be more basic than in the guesthouse. 

Workload, Work schedules and Work plans
We would recommend a volunteer to come with a very open mind and be highly motivated, creative and innovative as not

all projects will have the capacity to follow the stated activities, duties or tasks. Some projects run on very informal

approaches without clear work plans or not very organized. The volunteer should take time and efforts also to discuss with

the project managers on any new ideas he/she feels can contribute to the project.

Occasionally, workload and activities may get low at certain times or eventually the volunteer may become too busy. There

is no guarantee that the volunteer will be fully occupied during all the time of stay. Activities may often fluctuate due to

various factors in the project. Many projects do not have a sound financial base. Therefore volunteer expectations should

not be too high and if anything does not workout as earlier planned this is the best time that a volunteer’s creativity,

innovation and patience are most called for. 
About Uganda
Uganda is a beautiful country gifted by nature. Volunteers may take time off on weekends or after the project to visit National parks (lions, elephants, giraffes, kobs, buffalos etc), go white water rafting, visit the mountain gorillas and enjoy the

Ugandan sun. For further information visit: www.visituganda.com.

Website of UPA：https://ugandapa.bitwebcms.com/