What is the Environmental Protection Internship in Uganda project all about?
The Environmental Protection Internship in Uganda concentrates on a number of particular villages that are off the hydropower grid, and on installing solar power for the beneficiaries.
Uganda is still struggling with high levels of poverty, and access to energy and electricity is a real struggle for many. Hydroelectricity is the main source of energy, but contributes only 1.4% to the national energy (*Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Strategic Investment Plan 2014/15 – 2018/19). 93% of rural households without access to electricity use traditional lighting technologies such as candles or kerosene lamps. These give out poor quality light, emit noxious fumes, and present fire hazards. Further to this, the majority of social institutions (e.g. schools and health centers) in rural areas do not have access to electricity. This inevitably leads to inferior health and education services, contributing to an ongoing cycle of poverty.
The Environmental Protection Internship project aims to utilize the abundance of sunlight in Uganda, and to address the challenge of energy poverty within rural villages by providing quality, affordable solar energy solutions to institutions and households.
By contributing to this initiative you will contribute to the local communities’ access to affordable, reliable, and renewable energy technologies. You will support the communities in your placement to conserve their surroundings by creating awareness, increasing knowledge, and promoting of the utilization of environmentally friendly solar and renewable energy.
Why choose this Environmental Protection Internship in Uganda project?
- Learn about the challenges of access to affordable, reliable and renewable energy technologies in Uganda
- Contribute to local communities’ capacity to conserve their surroundings by creating awareness, increasing knowledge, and promoting the utilization of environmentally friendly energy using sustainable development approaches
- Gain hands-on experience within the local Ugandan communities while making friends and exchanging cultural differences
Role of the Environmental Protection Intern
As an Environment Protection intern in Uganda, you will contribute to eradicating energy poverty within rural communities. Working alongside local community colleagues, the intern/ volunteer will have the opportunity to identify villages that will benefit from being powered with solar energy, develop a user manual, train the community end users on the benefits of renewable, clean energy, design payment plan for credit clients, and organize the installation of the solar panels.
What skills do I need to be an Environmental Protection intern?
This placement is open to any individuals, with no specific skills or education history. However, the intern should be enthusiastic and self-driven, and interested in capacity building. Interns/ volunteers should have; an interest in renewable energy, good communication skills and initiative, creativity and innovation, and have a good command of spoken English. You will be required to submit a CV, as well as to go through a phone interview for the vetting process before your placement is confirmed.
Any professionals with relevant experience wishing to contribute to this project are also welcome to apply on a volunteer basis (speak to a Kaya advisor for more information).
Travel during COVID times
The health and safety of our travelers and our local communities remain central to our plans for reopening countries and projects. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been adapting our programs and protocols to protect all those involved, and ask for everyone’s patience and collaboration as new rules are implemented in-country. For all projects, new standards of sanitation, procedures and social behaviors are in place, including new health and hygiene protocols and social distancing practices. You can read more here. Each location may be slightly different in the way they operate. We encourage you to inquire to your placement advisor to learn more about your specific project as you plan for your responsible return to travel!
RECRUITING FOR 2023
WHY JOIN THE PROJECT
FEATURED VIDEO
PROJECT TESTIMONIALS
Where will I work in Uganda?
About the location
The local community organization you will work with is located in Jinja. As the second largest town and commercial center in Uganda, Jinja has around 90,000 people. It has a major rail connection to Kenya and the Indian Ocean, and is famous as the historic source of the Nile River.
Accommodation
Interns will be living with host families. The living conditions are generally considered middle class by local standars and therefore, you will have indoor plumbing with running water, electricity and your own private room.
Jinja is now the adrenaline capital of East Africa, with many tourist activities including white-water rafting, kayaking and quad biking, all set in a stunning natural setting with charming colonial architecture. During your trip in Uganda, you may want to visit the famous Itanda Falls, or take a sunset cruise on the Nile river. With so many activities, you are sure to find something to do during your spare time!
Details & Costs
- Duration: 4-8 weeks
- Cost: £1628 / $2542 for 4 weeks
£336 / $524 for any additional weeks - Requirements: Age 18+
- Location: Jinja, Uganda
- Working hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 17:00
- Project availability: January through November
- Arrival day: Last Saturday of each month, except for December
What is included
- Accommodation: Host family
- Meals: 3 meals a day
- Airport: scheduled pickup and dropoff from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda
- On the ground transportation: to/from projects included
- Access to personal online Kaya Community account including:
– Pre-departure information pack
– Fundraising Guide
– How to Manage your Money Abroad
– Learning Reflection Guide - On the ground training: cultural and safety orientation and project induction
- Internship support:
– Certificate upon completion of your internship presentation
– Supervision from qualified professional - Support: 24-hour support including emergency contact numbers from local team
- Excursion Planning assistance from local staff (activity prices may be extra)
What is not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Visas
- Police/Government Background Check; US and UK citizens will be processed through Kaya (admin fee applies). All other nationalities must provide local police check.
- Routine or country specific vaccination if applicable
- Any costs for COVID-19 PCR tests required pre-departure and in-country
Pictures from our Environmental Protection Internship in Uganda project
Easy 4-step application process
APPLY ONLINE
Click here to apply online and pay your application fee to apply for your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.
TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
Once we’ve received your application, we’ll review your details and be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.
CONFIRMATION
Following your interview, we will provide you a placement offer. Once you are ready to confirm your placement and dates, you can pay your confirmation fee to book and secure your space.
GET PREPARED
When you have confirmed your project dates we'll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.