Volunteer blog | East African Playgrounds

How EAP Changed my Mind on Voluntourism

When I first heard about the Gorilla Trek offered by EAP, to be honest, I was a bit sceptical. Having studied voluntourism during my politics and international relations degree and having chosen to write coursework on the subject, slating tourism that can be categorised as voluntourism or poverty-tourism – for me to join this trip seemed hypocritical to say the least. Read more

How EAP Changed my Mind on Voluntourism

Launch of the Alumni club

We have so many wonderful alumni who have volunteered with us in Uganda over the years, so to say thank you we wanted to give you something back. To celebrate our upcoming 10th anniversary, today’s the day we launch our alumni club! Read more

My intern experience

Find out more about what being a summer intern with East African Playgrounds meant to Ilaria. 'Ever since first volunteering with East African Playgrounds, I had my heart set on doing the summer internship. Once I got accepted it had made my year and there was nothing else I’d ever been more excited about.' Email [email protected] for an application form Read more

Volunteering: Top tips

And round it comes again, our 9th summer of running volunteering projects. And still I feel huge excitement and anticipation for the summer ahead. As I first volunteered 10 years ago in Uganda and it changed my life. Read more

Latest

Join me to Help Build a Playground in East Africa

Where would we be without the magic of play?
A playgrounds is like a classroom in disguise, children don't know their learning, they don't feeling like they are learning, but really they are taking in the whole world whilst playing with their friends.
Join me in helping to build a playground in Uganda.

East African Playgrounds Gorilla Trek 2020

Play is a vital part of learning. It helps children focus, recall information and learn key social and cognitive skills which are essential in adult life. In the UK, 49% of people go to university, but in Uganda only 55% finish primary school. East African Playground (EAP) is a charity which builds playgrounds for schools in Uganda in order to encourage children to stay in school. In places where EAP has built playgrounds, schools have seen up to a 90% increase in attendance. I am travelling to

Ben Cheng Volunteers in Rural Uganda 2020

Working in Uganda

Who we are

East African Playgrounds is a UK registered charity and international NGO, focused on East Africa, primarily Uganda. Children need to play to access their childhood, allowing them to gain all the developmental benefits that play has to offer giving them the tools for future success.

Gorilla Trek registration

The Gorilla Trek is the ultimate African adventure allowing you to explore, discover and develop the incredible country of Uganda. As an ethical, affordable trip, it’s what you need to have the summer of a lifetime. Apply now! Don't miss out on your place

The Gorilla Trek

The Uganda Volunteer Project

Uganda Volunteer Project

Uganda Volunteer Project is all about experiencing a new culture whilst giving children their childhoods through play. Weekdays volunteering at a school building a playground and weekends exploring the amazing activities on offer in Uganda. What's not to love! Apply now! Don't miss out on your place.

Fundraising support

To make sure you are bursting full of ideas and plans for your fundraising we have provided you with every resource you could possibly need. Have a read through all the documents below to make your fundraising is a breeze.

Preparing for the Gorilla Trek

Being prepared will make for having the best time in Uganda, so make sure you have run through our checklist of documents before you arrive in Uganda.

Gorilla Trek videos

The Gorilla Trek

The award winning, ethical, affordable and life changing charity volunteer expedition to the stunning country of Uganda

Why play?

Play is the universal language of a child. Play is incredibly important for children’s learning, wellbeing and for healthy brain development – the UN includes the right to play in its Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most complete statement of children’s rights ever produced.