Spaces can only be reserved for individuals who submit their application along with a trip deposit of $250. Each trip has a maximum number of spots available, and they are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on the completion of the registration process.

UGANDA SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIP DATES:

June 13—24, 2025
June 27—July 8, 2025
July 11—22, 2025
July 25—August 5, 2025
August 8—19, 2025
August 22—Sept. 2, 2025
September 5—16, 2025
September 19—30, 2025
October 3—14, 2025
October 17—28, 2025
October 31—November 11, 2025
January 23—February 3, 2026
February 6—17, 2026
February 20—March 3, 2026
March 6—17, 2026
March 20—31, 2026
April 3—14, 2026
April 17—28, 2026
May 1—12, 2026
May 15—26, 2026
May 29—June 9, 2026
June 12—23, 2026
June 26—July 7, 2026
July 10—21, 2026
July 24—August 4, 2026
August 7—18, 2026
August 21—Sept. 1, 2026

Trip payments can be made by credit card or check. Please note that a 3.5% transaction fee will be applied for credit card payments.

Team size requirements range from 10 to 30 participants. If your group meets the minimum size, you can select any of the available trip dates. If your team is smaller than the minimum, you may still have the opportunity to join a week when a larger team has already met the requirement.

Yes! You can join a week where the minimum team size has already been met by a larger team.

Special permission from TEL International is required for children outside the specified age range for the trip (Junior High, High School, Adult, etc.). If a child does attend, they must be accompanied by a parent, who will assume full responsibility for the child at all times. Children under 10 may receive a price reduction on a case-by-case basis.

TEL International is an interdenominational Christian non-profit organization. We are not affiliated with any specific denomination, and participants from all Christian denominations are welcome to join our mission trips.

In each country, we collaborate with our partners where teams serve. Ministry partnership assignments are typically finalized 6-8 weeks before the mission trip dates. Throughout the planning process, your consultant will be assessing the best location(s) for the team and will inform you of your assigned ministry as soon as the details are confirmed. Typical assignments include the following ministry outreach activities:

1). Worship with a local church and get involved by offering music, delivering sermons or short exhortations, teaching.
2). Tutor students, observe classes, assist teachers with arts and crafts, games, storytelling, singing, or participate in recess activities.
3). Use sports and group games as a way to build relationships and share the gospel.
4). Offer medical services and support to the community and healthcare system and general counseling on health issues.
5). Work alongside a local builder on various projects, including painting, roofing, cement work, tiling, or landscaping.

Team members will be staying at the guesthouse or hotel depending on the size of the group. In most cases, you will share the room with at least one roommate of the same gender. No sleeping bags, pillows or sheets are necessary. Private rooms are also available depending on availability. However, married couples usually get priority for single rooms.

Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided, featuring a mix of local cuisine and some American-style dishes. During the consulting process, we will identify team members with allergies or dietary restrictions. While we can accommodate vegetarian diets, we are unable to accommodate other dietary restrictions. We recommend that team members with specific dietary needs bring additional food to supplement their meals. Bottled water will be readily available at the guesthouse, all worksites, and service locations. Food and drinks outside of mealtimes are the responsibility of the volunteers.

Our staff is fully trained and prepared to ensure a safe and incident-free mission experience. TEL International staff members will accompany the team throughout the entire trip and will have access to transportation, cell phones, hospitals, and first aid kits at all times. In case of an emergency, a staff member will guide the team and assist with the necessary steps to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.

In many of the countries we serve, local communities are bilingual or trilingual, with English being one of the languages spoken. However, in some areas, English is not widely spoken, and a language barrier may exist. In these locations, local staff members serve as assistant trip leaders and are available to translate for the team.

Our staff includes a blend of full-time employees, local staff, and seasonal interns. We deeply value the contributions of our local staff, recognizing the positive impact they have on the ministry we carry out.

If the deposit has been received and processed, but no flight has been booked and no other trip-related expenses have been incurred, the participant will receive a full refund. If the deposit has been received and processed, and a flight has been booked and confirmed by the airline, or if other costs related to the participant’s involvement in the trip have been incurred, the participant will receive a refund of the deposit minus the cost of the non-refundable flight, incurred expenses and a $75 administrative fee.

If the deposit or full payment has been received and processed, and the cancellation occurs less than 45 days before the departure date, no refund will be issued. However, 50% of the non-flight portion of the deposit may be applied toward a future mission trip scheduled within the current or upcoming calendar year.

If a trip is canceled due to the minimum team size not being met, terrorism, civil unrest, natural disasters, widespread illness, a pandemic, or other extraordinary circumstances, all funds paid will be credited toward a future mission trip, to be used within 24 months from the date of issuance.

If a trip participant cancels or withdraws from the trip voluntarily less than 45 days before departure, the Missions Trip Coordinator must be notified in writing via mail or email. All funds paid are non-refundable; however, credits will be applied toward future trips within 24 months.

1). A $75 processing fee will be deducted before credits are issued, along with any expenses incurred by TEL International that cannot be refunded or transferred by the vendor/partner.

2). When TEL International can accommodate a new trip date, funds from the original trip date may be transferred to a future trip according to the following guidelines: a) If the transfer is made 3 months prior to the original trip date and the future trip date is within 12 months of the original date, the registration fee will not be forfeited; b) If the transfer occurs within 3 months of the original trip date or the future trip date is more than 12 months after the original trip date, the registration fee will be forfeited, and a new registration fee will be required.

When you join TEL International on a mission trip, our staff team invests real time and energy preparing for your mission trip and supporting the team. Non-refundable amounts not only allow us to cover all organizational costs associated with your trip, but also to cover upfront expenses already committed to the community and on-field partners prior to the team’s arrival. Below are a few ways we support you and the team to make mission trips a meaningful experience for all:

1). We take the time to plan all the logistics, including housing setup, meal planning, safety protocols, team training and debrief materials; and recruiting and training field staff to lead and run each trip.

2). Our staff and local Community Partners work well in advance of each team’s arrival, setting up work projects and areas of service within the local community. Last-minute withdrawals from a trip within 45 days of the trip start date have a direct impact on our ability to maintain commitments to Community Partners, community members, local churches, schools, service organizations, and ministries, while no leaving enough time to adequately fill spaces vacated by team members.