Undergraduate Students | Volunteer Opportunity
Hope Speaks offers a state of the art internship program to students seeking to expand the scope of their studies and experiences. While you get a once in a lifetime experience, Hope Speaks is able to increase their services to hard to reach communities and individuals through the work of volunteers, students and interns.
Based on experience and level of education, daily tasks may include:
- Observation of evaluations
- Assisting in the creation and implementation of treatment plans
- Community Outreach and Education
- Familiarization with reporting tools such as Fusion Web Clinic
- Assisting in day-to-day program needs
On the weekends, you get to enjoy the best of what Uganda has to offer - safaris, a trip to the source of the Nile River, cultural experiences and more.
Our undergraduate program includes hands-on experience working in both our outreach programs and our private clinic setting. Students will have the opportunity to partner with a Ugandan SLP to gain a unique perspective and approach to speech therapy in a global setting.
- FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS YOU MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN SLP OR SUPERVISING PROFESSOR IN ORDER TO SERVE WITH US. They must travel with you to Uganda. No unaccompanied undergraduate students will be able to serve with us by themselves. (new policy from clinical committee)
- Applicants must be at least a junior in college
- Must be able to commit to a minimum of three weeks in Uganda
- Pass background checks and clearances
- Complete a pre-trip course that includes cultural preparedness and child protection training
- Be able to fully fund your internship whether privately or through fundraising
- Sign and adhere to Hope Speaks’ Code of Conduct for the duration of your internship
- Airfare
- Western style lodging with 24/7 security
- 2 Meals a day
- Transportation to and from intern related activities
- Travel insurance
- Wifi (at lodging and clinic)
- Laundry
- A donation to Hope Speaks programming
- Processing and application fees
Not Included (But available at an additional cost)
- 2-3 day Safari
- Tourist and Cultural Activities
The cost of each of the 3-week trips for 2025 will be $5000 for May/June trips and $5300 (possibly more due to increase in flights) for July/August trips. This includes: Airfare, lodging in a beautiful guest house with 24/7 security, 2 meals/day, ground transportation while in country (either Hope Speaks vehicle or taxi with Hope Speaks staff), health insurance while in country, WIFI internet, laundry, utilities, a donation to Hope Speaks programming, and processing fees.
Not included in the cost: Immunizations prior to travel to Uganda, the $55 Ugandan visa (online prior to trip), phone data, possible meals out to eat, snacks, souvenirs, personal expenses, and excursions (safari and other optional outings depending on what you would like to do). If you need more information on any more of this, please don't hesitate to ask.
*A non-refundable $100 deposit is required after your application is approved and before a background check is run to secure your trip reservation.
PLEASE NOTE: Hope Speaks is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All money that you raise for your trip is through donation to Hope Speaks and is non-refundable. Hope Speaks is legally unable to issue refunds of tax-deductible donations if your trip is canceled.
Thank you for your interest in serving with Hope Speaks! We look forward to hearing from you!
If you have any further questions, please feel free to let us know.
For the following trips, the first date is the date you will arrive in Uganda.The last date is the date you would fly out of Uganda. For planning purposes, you will be leaving the day before the first date, and returning the day after the last date.
- May 16- June 6, 2025
If approval is given, a $100 non-refundable deposit must be made and a background check passed. Once that is done, you will need $2000 in your fundraising account page before we can book your flights. The balance of $3000 will be due 6 weeks before you leave. (Deadline for this trip is Feb 16, 2025) - June 13- July 4, 2025
If approval is given, a $100 non-refundable deposit must be made and a background check passed. Once that is done, you will need $2000 in your fundraising account page before we can book your flights. The balance of $3000 will be due May 31. (Deadline for this trip is March 13, 2025) - July 11- August 1, 2025
If approval is given, a $100 non-refundable deposit must be made and a background check passed. We then will need $2200 (or more) raised/paid, so we can book your flights. The later we book the flights, the higher the flight costs. (You pay difference above $2200). The balance of $3100 will be due by the end of June. (Deadline for this trip is March 31, 2025)
- For Undergraduate students YOU MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY an SLP or supervising professor in order to serve with us. They must travel with you to Uganda. No unaccompanied undergraduate students will be able to serve with us by themselves. (new policy from clinical committee)
- Custom travel dates are available between September 2025 and May 2026
- If our scheduled summer trip dates do not work with your personal, work, or school schedule, we are very flexible and will try to make other arrangements so that you are able to serve with Hope Speaks when it works best for you.
- For professionals who can only volunteer for 2 weeks, the cost is $4300. Volunteers coming for 2-week trips ideally should be able to arrive on the arrival dates listed above so that team training and orientation activities are all done together with the team at the beginning.
- If you would like to join us for longer than 3 weeks, the cost is $5000 for initial 3 weeks for the May/June trips or $5300 for the July/August trips + $90/day for every additional day beyond the 3 weeks.
- If you stay longer than 3 months, the daily rate is reduced to $85/day, plus the cost of your flight and a donation to Hope Speaks for programming
- If you would like to complete your CFY with us, please request additional information from our U.S. volunteer coordinator, Deb Bratt
Where We Work
Uganda has been referred to as the Pearl of Africa and for good reason. It's home to over 40 million people. Apart from having such a large population, Uganda is a very poor nation. This has resulted in a lack of education, unclean water, and inconsistent income for its residents.
With all of these factors in play, it's easy to see why about 19 percent of the population is living with a disability. Our speech team helps to assist these children with speech therapy and rehabilitation services. By means of a diligent work effort, we're able to provide speech therapy in multiple locations throughout the country.
These include:
- Kampala School For The Physically Handicapped
- International Schools
- Dawn Childrens Centre
- Mukisa Foundation
- Mercy Childcare Ministry
- Angels Center For Children With Special Needs
- Katanga Slum
Why Volunteer For Hope Speaks?
Hope Speaks is a nonprofit organization. We're looking for undergraduate students that are looking to make a real difference in a country that will much appreciate it. By simply donating some of your time and experience, you can make a real difference in the life of children with disabilities in the Uganda region. You'll give them a true voice that they can use to change their culture's history going into the future.
Become A Volunteer
Serve with Hope Speaks by becoming a volunteer. Download our application to get started.
How to Contribute to Hope Speaks?
If you would like to help disabled youth in Uganda, it's time to act. As an undergraduate student, you can apply for our intern work program. This time commitment is three weeks, at the minimum. Even if you are unable to donate your time, Hope Speaks also accepts donations. By donating, it will help us expand our outreach.
