UGANDA / Banda Island
Banda Island is a small, privately-owned island in Lake Victoria, Uganda. Since 1999 it’s been run as a backpackers, catering for those on a budget wishing to do some serious relaxing.
It’s pretty remote and access is by boat only. The only inhabitants are the small Banda Island staff plus a few dogs and cats. There is no mains electricity (but there is solar backup), no shops, no crowds to spoil the peace and quiet.
Sadly, the owner and founder of Banda Island passed away in May and a small group of us in Uganda and elsewhere (friends and family) are trying to keep the island going. To this end, we need an island-sitter/manager. We are looking for either one person or a couple/pair of friends.
The main part of the job is simply being on the island keeping an eye on things. There are guests but it’s not running at anything like capacity due to the sudden death of the owner and the subsequent lack of management over the following few months. But we’re restarting advertising and getting the word out that the island is still in business so, hopefully, more people will come.
Some management/hospitality experience would be a bonus but common sense and trustworthiness are far more important. Plus you need to be happy staying in a remote location in a developing country.
There are two or three long-term staff members on the island and they deal with most of the day to day stuff such as cooking, cleaning etc
The position will initially be unpaid (but will include food and accommodation). There is very little income on the island at the moment so no profits. As time goes by and more guests come then there may be a salary/profit share available but this cannot be guaranteed so please look at this as a purely unpaid position to avoid any future confusion and possible disappointment.
However, none of us are looking to make any personal profits out of this so please be assured that if the business regains its momentum then the resident manager(s) WILL be paid!
We’re open to offers on length of stay. If you are passing through Uganda and just wnat somewhere to stay for a few weeks that’s fine. If you’re looking for a few months or longer then we’d like to hear from you too. As I said, we’re just a group of people trying to keep this going so are very happy to hear from anyone who’s interested.
This is a great opportunity to come and stay for free on a fantastic tropical island. Banda is one of those places where a list of things to do seems pretty short but where you’re never actually bored. There is the island to explore (on foot and on the lake by kayak) but there’s mainly just the peace and quiet, fantastic sunsets, all year round sunshine, chilled out guests and, of course, the fantastic lake itself.
Have a look here :
http://www.traveluganda.co.ug/banda-island/
Expires: Mar 1, 2012