Medical volunteering in Uganda
In 2022 we had around 50 medical volunteers from outside Uganda.
Common Questions about Volunteering
What are the benefits of volunteering for your organization? What will I gain?
It will change your life. As much as you learn about others, you will learn about yourself. Working with Whisper is a deeply rewarding experience. You will get to know the hardship of African life, as well as the magical feeling of making a difference, love and joy which the simple life brings every day. You will find out what are the most important things people really need for a happy life and you will help to bring it to them. For more information, please contact us
Do I need any medical or teaching skills to volunteer?
For volunteer positions in Uganda we do normally require medical or other relevant skills. If you don't have those skills, there are volunteer roles outside Uganda and other ways to help, which are also greatly needed.
What is the minimum age for volunteers?
Volunteers need to be over 18 years old.
Do you provide accommodation and food?
Accommodation is not currently provided for volunteers but it can be arranged in Jinja at low cost. Food is provided at the hospital during working hours. The meals are Ugandan cuisine.
Which languages are spoken?
English is the language of administration and commerce in Uganda, and most Ugandans speak English. If English is not your first language, we recommend knowing English to around level 2+ on the ILR scale. Ugandans in the local area also speak Lusoga, a Bantu language. There is no need to learn Lusoga although if you are a keen linguist or you will be staying for a long time, it can help.
Will I have access to electricity and internet?
The hospital is on the local mains supply, which can be unreliable and harsh on electronics. Please always use power conditioners or surge protectors when plugging in electronic equipment, even phone chargers. WiFi is available.
Do I need to pay to volunteer?
There is no fee to volunteer, although we ask our volunteers to fundraise for Whisper before and during their stay, with rare exceptions for certain qualified medical specialists. We're very happy to help and advise about fundraising; see our fundraising page for some ideas. You will get to see how your money is spent while you are in Uganda.
Can you help me with organizing the trip? How much are the flight tickets?
We can help, however it is your responsibility to meet all expenses involved. We can offer you a flight ticket at a charity rate, that will allow you to take up to 3 pieces of luggage for free, and other benefits such as reserving the ticket and make a payment just few days before departure, change of dates and cancellation.
How long can I volunteer for?
We normally require a minimum of 2 weeks for volunteering. Any other period of volunteering is your decision. Volunteers for more than 1 month will be assigned to a specific role.
Is there a high risk of malaria?
Yes. You will need to take malaria prevention whilst working in Uganda. You should use a mosquito net at night to minimize the chance of mosquito bites. Malaria is easily treatable in Uganda if it is caught early. If you decide to volunteer for a longer period of time and you get malaria symptoms, we can provide malaria tests and prompt treatment.
What type of vaccination do I need?
Seek medical advice before traveling to Uganda. Below is the basic list of vaccinations you may want to inquire about. Please note that vaccination should be done 6 weeks before traveling.
- Tuberculosis
- Hepatitis A and B
- Meningitis
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever
- Rabies
- Diphtheria