faqs
What will the schedule consist of? Please refer to the itinerary in this binder. A much more detailed daily schedule will be provided as we get closer.
What type of accommodations will we have? All team members will stay in a local “guesthouse.” In most cases there are two people per room, and each room usually has a private bathroom. Housekeeping services will be provided on a daily basis. The guesthouses are comfortable but basic. There is no air conditioning or heat, although temperatures are quite moderate throughout the year in Uganda. Raise the Roof Academy has no involvement in the operations of the guesthouses, but we have found the staff to be quite helpful and accommodating. The guest houses are gated with 24-hour security guards.
What happens if I am unable to go on the trip? If due to personal reasons, any expenses incurred on your behalf must still be paid and are non-refundable (i.e. plane ticket, accommodations, etc). However, we can try to reschedule your reserved spot for a later trip.
Can we do laundry while in Uganda? Yes. Each morning you have the option to pay for laundry service. It will be collected and returned the same day or next day. Costs will be discussed at check-in.
What kind of power supply does Uganda use? Uganda uses 240-volt power supply. You will need either a converter or adapter depending on your appliance. The converter is the same as used in the UK.
How will we find our way around? Ugandan chaperones will drive and accompany the team throughout the trip. The Raise the Roof chaperones will accommodate the team however possible.
Where do we keep our valuables? This is case by case and it depends on you. If you want your valuables stored by the Uganda team, they will be collected at the orientation meeting when you arrive in Uganda. All money, passports, plane tickets etc. should be kept on your person. We recommend that you keep cameras and laptops on your person, or nearby, always.
What type of currency is used in Uganda? The currency used in Uganda is “shillings”. Please bring US CASH in the form of large bills. The money exchangers prefer $100 US bills printed in 2009, or newer. We will make arrangements to have your money converted to shillings in Kampala after orientation. Because of fake currencies on the black market, money exchange bureaus in Uganda want clean – not heavily used or creased bills with tears on them. You can carry your credit card or debit card with you. The best advice for using credit cards in Uganda is: use cash! If you plan on bringing your debit card and you plan to use it, please inform your bank that you will be using it outside of the United States. Give your bank your itinerary that way it is not canceled for suspicion of fraud. Plan to carry between $300-$500. Most likely you will use about half of that.
Will we have access to wifi while in Uganda? Yes. There is internet (wifi) at the guest house where you can check email and do face-time if you have an apple product; however, it is not always reliable wi-fi. If you do not have a smart phone and would like to stay connected to your family while away, we will have access to a local phone. You may also provide your family members with RTRA’s contact information for more regular text communication and updates (615-686-9085).
Will we be able to interact with the children? Will we see our sponsored children at camp, and can we bring gifts? Can I see my friend’s sponsored child? Yes, throughout our time in Uganda, the team will be working to serve children who have been selected for sponsorship. Our ministry will directly impact the children from the communities we serve. Let us know if you will be seeing a particular Sponsored Child on behalf of a friend, so we make plans to point him/her out for you. You are welcome to bring gifts for your child or child’s family. Our hope is that you also get to be hosted by a family for a meal. This will give you another opportunity to learn about village life.
Will we be able to communicate with the Ugandans in English? In almost every situation you will be able to communicate with people in English. The Raise the Roof staff speak English and the children are educated in English, though their fluency varies depending on how long they have been in school. Also, certain American accents are more difficult for the children to understand. During work hours, you will have a translator with you.
Will we be able to attend worship or a church service? Yes! Our team will attend worship on the Sundays during the trip. This is an experience you don’t want to miss!
What is the weather like in Uganda? The weather in Kampala is very moderate throughout the year. Average temperatures are between 75-85 degrees.
What is the dress code? Dress according to the demands of the work you will be doing. For example, the Leadership-Education team is encouraged to dress in a professional manner. For the men, we encourage a shirt and slacks, and for the women a skirt/blouse or dress when you are giving a presentation. Medical team members, you are encouraged to wear scrubs or a white coat. Singing, VBS team, and painting team, you should be casual. Ladies, if you are participating in the VBS, and during excursions, it is OK to wear pants, jeans, capris and shorts. Overall the dress-code is quite casual except when we are presenting. You may wish to bring some “smart casual” clothes for church on Sunday. Bring at least one long-sleeved item to protect yourself from bugs at night. Keep in mind the soil in Uganda is red, so avoid white. Also, we recommend you bring comfortable tennis shoes, a pair of flip-flops, and a simple pair of dress shoes. No need to bring ties, suits, or jewelry. Bring what you are willing to leave behind after the mission.
Tell me more about the African concept of time. Most systems that support our Western ‘on-time’ way of life are not fully developed in Uganda. In Kampala, traffic jams can bring everything to a halt and in the villages when it rains, more people take longer to walk to the center where we will be meeting. In Uganda, time is seen in terms of relationships not in terms of tasks. It is seen in terms of being with family and friends. Our hope and goal is that on this mission, everything will go according to the itinerary we have developed, but we appreciate your flexibility.