About Us
Trust Primary School is a private nursery and primary school in Kaggulwe LC 1, Uganda, serving children aged 3 to 14. Our vision is "Empowering minds, fostering the future."
We began with just two children — my daughter, Shalom Ann Mercy, and Doreen, a neighbour's child. By the end of the first year, we had grown to 14 pupils.
Because our school is Christian-founded in a mainly Muslim district, some in the community initially feared their children would be converted. But I stayed focused on the children and our vision. Parents who gave us a chance saw their children learning and cared for — and trust replaced fear.
Today, Trust Primary School serves 300 children. Muslims are now the majority of our pupils, and they are thankful — we even have the children of sheikhs learning here. The community that once feared us now trusts us with their children.
We welcome volunteers who share our belief that every child, of every faith, deserves a strong education.
Program at a glance
Why choose us?
Trust Primary School is not a big organisation — it is a small, real school built from the ground up. Volunteers are not spectators here; they become part of daily life and see the direct impact of their work.
We began with two children and have grown to 300. That growth came from trust — including in a mainly Muslim community that once feared our Christian-founded school, and now sends us the children of sheikhs.
Volunteers who choose us will live with a Ugandan host family, teach children who are eager to learn, and experience a community where faiths coexist peacefully. You will be welcomed, not just hosted.
Our program is free — accommodation and meals are covered. We ask only for your time, your care, and your willingness to serve.
If you want a genuine, meaningful experience rather than a polished tourist program, Trust Primary School is the place for you.
Requirements
· Background Check: Volunteers must provide a recent police/criminal background check (required for working with children)
· Age: Minimum age is 21
· Language: Must have a good conversational level of English to communicate with staff and students
· Skills: No formal teaching degree required, but volunteers should be patient, flexible, and enthusiastic about helping children. Optional: Add specific skills here, like "Experience in sports, arts, or music is a plus."
· Visa: Volunteers are responsible for obtaining a valid tourist or volunteer visa for their stay
· Health/Other: Volunteers should be physically able to participate in school activities. Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Volunteer experience
A typical volunteer day starts at 7:30am with breakfast with the host family. School begins at 8:00am with an assembly, where volunteers help supervise the children.
From 8:30am to 12:30pm, volunteers assist in classrooms — supporting teachers with reading, writing, and maths, or helping with nursery children who need extra care. Mid-morning includes a short break for porridge or tea.
After lunch (around 1:00pm), volunteers help with afternoon activities: sports, music, art, or remedial lessons for children who need extra help. Some volunteers assist with administration, organising learning materials, or preparing the next day's lessons.
The school day ends around 4:00pm. Volunteers are free in the late afternoon to rest, explore the local area, or prepare lessons. Dinner is shared with the host family around 6:30pm — a good time to talk, learn the local language, and share stories from the day.
Weekends are free for rest, travel, or community activities.
Free
Volunteers stay with our host family in a private room, in a simple home close to the school — walking distance or a short boda ride.
We can host up to 2 volunteers at a time, each with their own private room. Bathrooms are shared and include a flushing toilet.
Three meals a day are shared with the host family: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals are simple, local, and home-cooked. Vegetarian options and dietary needs can be arranged with advance notice.
The home is in a friendly, safe neighbourhood in Kaggulwe LC 1. Volunteers are treated as part of the family — a chance to experience real Ugandan daily life, not a hotel stay.
Meals: three meals a day — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — shared with the host family. Simple, local, home-cooked food.
Volunteers have their late afternoons, evenings, and weekends free.
Around the community: take walks in the neighbourhood, visit the local market, or relax and chat with the host family — a great way to learn Luganda and experience everyday Ugandan life.
Sports and games: join the children for football, netball, or other games after school. This is often the most rewarding part of the stay.
Faith and community: volunteers may attend local church or mosque activities if they wish, always with respect. Trust Primary School is Christian-founded but serves a mainly Muslim community, so volunteers can experience both traditions.
Reading and rest: quiet time for reading, journaling, or preparing the next day's lessons.
