COME AND JOIN US IN UGANDA
"We organise authentic life-changing retreats and trips with 22STARS since 2017"
Group trips to the pearl of Africa
Our Social Impact Trips are specially designed for adventure-seekers, who are purpose driven and want to make a difference.
Stella, Aidah and Susan are the founders of the 22STARS charity in Uganda. In order to promote the work they do and show the beautiful tourism side of Uganda, they have been organising 20+ group tours to Uganda since 2017. More than 80 people discovered this beautiful country and became part of the 22STARS Family. Stefanie Oeffner has been one of them, who joined a trip in 2018 and fell in love with the people, the food, the nature and the African music. Since then Stefanie came back many times to Uganda to co-host Social Impact Trips for the German speaking community.
Skill-Sharing and Exploring with Impact!
Our tours are specially designed for Adventurous people who love to dive deep into a local community, go off the beaten path and make a social impact while traveling. We organise a trip to Uganda benefitting the 22STARS Foundation and promoting local tourism.
PROJECT VISITS
ACTIVITIES
MASTER- MINDS
WORKSHOPS
SIGHT- SEEING
COMMUNITY
Are you up for an adventure?
Are you purpose driven?
Do you want a unique local experience?
Are you ready to make a social impact?
➥ Then sign up now for our future trips
IMPACT TRIP / SOCIAL WORKATION
Our Impact Trip in February is organised by Stella Airoldi, Aidah Wafula and Susan Laker (22STARS Foundation) with special co-host Stefanie Oeffner (Die geilste Lücke im Lebenslauf - 6 Jahre Weltreise). Our Impact Trip is for German speakers only and focuses on people who want to have a holiday experience while making a difference!
Our Social Workation afterwards is run by Stella, Aidah and Susan (22STARS Foundation) and is for Digital Nomads / Location Independent Entrepreneurs / Freelancers who speak English (Germans are welcome as long as they stick to English). We have Masterminds that focus on your work and making a social impact and we schedule in "Laptop Hours", in which you can either work on your own things, help us out at the 22STARS projects in the field or take the time to reflect and relax at the swimming pool!
We put all our knowledge and experience into this trip, so that it will be a true life- changing experience for you!
- We make a pre-trip assessment with you
- We take care of all your travel arrangements
- We have translators for you available during your whole trip
- We know Uganda inside out and the needs of our Western visitors
- We partnered up with amazing local organizations who assist us
- We make sure you don't get overcharged and
- We give you free coaching sessions, so you and the communities get the maximum social impact out of this trip!
Are you up for an adventure?
Are you purpose driven?
Do you want a unique local experience?
Are you ready to make a difference?
➥ Then block in your agenda 8-21 September
You would be crazy to not explore Uganda with the 22STARS team and me!
- We make a pre-trip assessment with you
- We take care of all your travel arrangements
- We have translators for you available during your whole trip
- We know Uganda inside out and the needs of our Western visitors
- We partnered up with amazing local organizations who assist us
- We make sure you don't get overcharged and
- We give you free coaching sessions, so you and the communities get the maximum social impact out of this trip!
The Experience
Kampala and Jinja off the beaten track!
Join us for a two week long workation to the Pearl of Africa. You will reconnect with nature, connect with local communities and make a social impact. We offer you an experience that is truly unique and very different from a standard (work-) holiday. We work closely together with the 22STARS Foundation, whose focus lies on Education, Entrepreneurship and Local Leadership.
You will spend one week with the 22STARS community in buzzling Kampala, which is the capital of Uganda. After that you will spend one week in a safari tent at the source of the Nile in Jinja, close to were our second 22STARS project is located. Jinja is the adventure town for adrenaline junkies and nature freaks! Wake up to an amazing view, practice yoga, swim or mediate before your day starts.
While we have every day activities arranged for you, we also scheduled in enough "Free Time / Laptop Hours". You can choose to join us at the co-working space Design Hub to get some work done, or to share your skills at the 22STARS projects, or just relax at the swimming pool. We make sure that everyone gets what they need!
We highly recommend you to stay a bit longer after your trip and add on a safari; we partnered up with the best local tour companies to give you the best deal and arrange everything for you!Are you joining our upcoming trip in September and are you a festival lover? Then join us already on 5-8 September 2019 at Nyege Nyege: the biggest music festival in East Africa.
The Experience
Kampala and Jinja off the beaten track
Join us for a group tour to the Pearl of Africa. You will reconnect with nature, connect with local communities and make a social impact. We offer you an experience that is truly unique and very different from a standard (work-) holiday. We work closely together with the 22STARS Foundation, whose focus lies on Education, Entrepreneurship and Local Leadership.
You will spend some time with the 22STARS community in buzzling Kampala, which is the capital of Uganda. After that you will spend several nights in a safari tent at the source of the Nile in Jinja, close to were our second 22STARS project is located. Jinja is the adventure town for adrenaline junkies and nature freaks! Wake up to an amazing view, practice yoga, swim or mediate before your day starts.
While we have every day activities arranged for you, during our Digital Nomad Workations, we also scheduled in enough "Free Time / Laptop Hours". You can choose to join us at the co-working space Design Hub to get some work done, or to share your skills at the 22STARS projects, or just relax at the swimming pool. It is you who decides how much of work / holiday you will have! We make sure that everyone gets what they need!
We highly recommend you to stay a bit longer after your trip and add on a safari; we partnered up with the best local tour companies to give you the best deal and arrange everything for you! Additionally, you can also stay longer with the 22STARS Foundation as a volunteer! You tell us and we arrange it!
The Impact
22STARS focuses on Education, Local Leadership and Entrepreneurship to empower families in Uganda. You will have the unique opportunity to get a deep inside in the work of 22STARS and the Ugandan culture and you will grow during the mastermind and coaching sessions. On average we generate 1.5 K in extra donations per workation participant for the Foundation and our participants go back home with a new mind and skill set!
Project Visits
You will visit small businesses, schools and homes of the 22STARS community. Aidah, Susan and Stella will show you how to make a positive contribution. Share your skills and optimize impact!
Workshop
We organize an Impact Workshop in which we show you the best ways to help, and where we will also address topics such as 'White Savior Complex' and 'Neo-colonialism'.
Community
After our Retreat, we keep in touch with the group through Whatsapp. Many valuable friendships have already been formed that go beyond the Trip :). We share valuable social impact articles with each other and our thoughts and experiences.
Masterminds
Each session will offer you a combination of brainstorming, education, peer accountability and support to sharpen your business and personal skills.
Our meals are prepared by the women of the 22STARS Foundation. We help supporting their businesses and also invite them to join us having a meal together
Meals
Our meals are prepared by the women of the 22STARS Foundation. We help supporting their businesses and also invite them to join us having a meal together.
What Else Is Included
• Breakfast; lunch during project visits (5 times); goodbye dinner and meals for our team
• Payment for our translators: English/Luo/Luganda/Lusoga
• Airport pickup and Transfer to Jinja and transport to the projects
• Welcome Ceremony with culture dance
• T-shirt, String-bag, Bracelets, Notebook and Sim card with 10 GB
• 4 mastermind sessions and 1 impact workshop
• 5 visits to the 22STARS projects
• One-on-one coaching with Stella and 3 group coaching calls after the trip
• City tours in Kampala and Jinja including all entrance fees and a boat trip
Not included: visa, flights, lunch and dinner (except when mentioned), drinks, mandatory travel insurance, incidentals, optional activities.
NEW DATES T.B.A.
Apply now for our next trip! For special requests and upgrades email us!
A Few Travel Notes
- Arrive to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda
- Make sure that you have all necessary vaccinations and a visa!
- Apply for your tourist visa online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/
- In Uganda, you can get the local currency UGX out of almost every ATM
- 3800 UGX is about 1 euro, but exchange rates keep changing
- We pick you up from the airport and have your name on our sign!
- After your booking is confirmed you will have pre-booking support for all the questions you might have
- We will send you a packing list and a day to day itinerary
Not included: visa, flights, lunch (at non project days) and dinner, drinks, mandatory travel insurance, incidentals, optional activities.
Meet Your Hosts!
Aidah Wafula, Stella Airoldi and Susan Laker are your hosts for our English Speaking Retreats!
"This trio met 10 years ago and are changing lives!"
Aidah - on the left - who is passionate about helping women setting up small businesses, Stella - in the middle - who loves personal development and making a social impact, and Susan - on the right - who is the best example of the impact education makes and who fights our future.
Together they run the 22STARS foundation and know each other already since 2009, when Stella was volunteering at an Aids Information Center in Kampala and did research about post war victims. Aidah, who was from the big city connected Stella to Susan, who was a refugee from Northern Uganda. Stella met Susan using a translator to communicate, but to understand Susan's jokes and see her big heart no one needs a translation! Susan was certain that she would see Stella again, hence when Stella send once a year money to Aidah and Susan for their handmade paper jewellery, Susan took this opportunity to go back to school in order to talk directly to Stella herself!
Susan is our local project manager in Kampala, Aidah is our local project manager in Jinja, and Stella, well she works from anywhere! Susan and Aidah know best what their local communities need, while Stella's unique nomadic lifestyle brings also a lot of advantages in. Stella is in Uganda about 5 months a year, bringing visitors to the projects, making payments and helping out where needed. The other 7 months she connects with donors around the world and makes sure the operations run smoothly.
Your host Stella knows Uganda inside out and she knows what is important for Western people: you will be in the best hands for an off the beaten track experience. Your Ugandan hosts Aidah and Susan speak several local languages and will be available for you throughout the whole trip.
Special Co-Hosts for our next Trip!
In addition to Aidah, Susan and Stella, Steffi already co-hosted several Social Impact Trips and the next one is in NOVEMBER 2024!
Meet our Co-Host: Stefanie Oeffner
Our german speaking trips were co-hosted by Steffi who brought her community already several times to Uganda! Steffi joined Stella's Social Impact Workation in March 2018 and fell in love with the people & the country! After sharing her story on stage at the show of Nick Martin "Die geilste Lücke im Lebenslauf", many people wanted to join Steffi to Uganda! So the Social Impact Trips were born:
A meaningful and authentic holiday experience for german Speakers with Steffi as co-host. We had our first Social Impact Trip in May 2019 and several more since. During Covid we needed to have a big break but finally back with a new Social Impact Trip in November 2024.
The Acommodation
In Kampala, we are staying at a lovely hotel in the middle of a forest in the city with a lovely swimming pool, where also our 22STARS children can come and visit us. Our twin rooms are equipped with two single beds that are wide, with linen and mosquito nets supplied as standard, and a private bathroom.
In Jinja we are staying in Bujagali, a small village next to Jinja at the shore of the Nile. It is a 15-minute drive to the 22STARS project. We sleep in safari tents overlooking the Nile with hot showers around the corner. Glamping at its best! You will wake up with the nicest view: a beautiful river sunrise just outside your safari tent. Start your day with a morning swim and yoga class!
Testimonials:
Since 2016 we had more than 50 visitors!
Bastian Barami
Entrepreneur at Officeflucht
"Through my network I found new sponsors for the children, who were crashing stones for survival. In my second week I could already visit them in school! A life can change in the wink of an eye!"
Stefanie Oeffner
Event manager and co-founder at Travel University
"I could write a whole book about my experiences in Uganda, however you have to feel and see Uganda with your own eyes! I have been there twice now, and plan on coming back at least once a year!"
Lina Hernandez
Pediatric ICU nurse in NYC
"I knew that I wanted to sponsor a child through a trusted organization and the best way for me was by visiting the projects and seeing the impact of 22STARS' work first hand."
Daniel Hünebeck
Digital marketing consultant
"I have been in Africa quite a few times, but this trip was totally different. Through Stella and 22stars we were so much closer to the lives and stories of community and learned the best strategies to help."
Lin Pham
Office Executive, member LebensAthleten
"By joining this trip I avoided the hassle of finding right accommodation and transport. Having a host that speaks the local languages and gives you access to their community was truly priceless. I felt so loved and taken care of!
Testimonials
Since 2017 we have had more than 50 people joining us in in Uganda!
Videos from what our 2020 visitors had to say!
The First Impression
Check out our Welcome Ceremony, which we always have on the first day. It is all about listening to the stories of the people we visit, to share our own stories with them and connecting on a deeper level!
Stay Longer And Travel Together In Uganda!
After your Retreat, come and join us on a 3 day Safari to Murchison Falls: which is a must-see! Or Explore one of the other amazing places. We are there to help you with further travel arrangements. As we partnered up with local tour companies, we can assure you that we will get the best deals and tours for you. So before you book anything, get in touch with us so we can organize discounts for you! Click on the picture to find some travel inspiration and see what this amazing country has to offer!
A Few Travel Notes
- Arrive to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda
- Make sure that you have all necessary vaccinations and a visa!
- Apply for your tourist visa online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/
- In Uganda, you can get the local currency UGX out of almost every ATM
- 4000 UGX is about 1 euro, but exchange rates keep changing
- We pick you up from the airport and have your name on our sign!
- After your booking is confirmed you will have pre-booking support for all the questions you might have
- We will send you a packing list and a day to day itinerary
More questions? Read our FAQ or send an email!
The Impact
On average we generate 1.5 K donation per person for the Foundation and our participants go back home with a new mind and skill set!
Our community managers Aidah and Susan and Executive Director Stella will show you how to make a positive contribution to the communities you visit anywhere in the world. We organize an Impact Workshop in which we show you the best ways to help, and where we will also address topics such as 'White Savior Complex' and 'Neo-colonialism'. During the 22STARS project visits in both Kampala and Jinja, you will learn how to share your skills and knowledge to empower people on the ground with dignity and respect. The 22STARS projects consist of a Sponsorship Program, providing education to more then 320 children and several community development projects. They give inter alia entrepreneurship training and micro loans to 65 families and train their staff to become the leaders of tomorrow. You will be able to connect closely with local entrepreneurs and get a deep insight in how a grass root organisation works. You will grow during the mastermind and coaching sessions. With this trip you make a positive impact on many people's life, and it will be also a live changing experience for you.
Impact Workshop
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We organize an Impact Workshop in which we show you the best ways to help, and where we will also address topics such as 'White Savior Complex' and 'Neo-colonialism'.
project visits
A small tagline
During the 22STARS project visits in both Kampala and Jinja, you will learn how to share your skills and knowledge to empower people on the ground with dignity and respect.
Title Text
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Title Text
A small tagline
The Impact
On average we generate 1.5 K donation per person!
We start with an Impact Workshop to discuss topics such as 'White Savior Complex' and 'Neo-colonialism'. Our community managers Aidah and Susan and also Stella will show you how to make a positive contribution! During the 22STARS project visits in both Kampala and Jinja, you will learn how to share your skills and knowledge to empower people on the ground with dignity and respect. Your host Stella knows Uganda inside out and she knows what is important for Western people: you will be in the best hands for an off the beaten track experience. Your Ugandan hosts Aidah and Susan speak several local languages and will be available for you throughout the whole trip giving you the best insights on what their communities truly need. You will have the unique opportunity to get a deep inside in the work of 22STARS and the Ugandan culture and you will grow during the mastermind and coaching sessions. With this trip you will not only leave Uganda having made an impact on many people's life, but it will be also a positive live changing experience for you.
Project
Visits
Twice a week
We go five times to the 22STARS projects, where we visit small businesses, schools and the community!
Private
Coaching
90-minutes long
You will have a one-on-one coaching session with Stella and three group coachings with the focus on how to make a difference!
Impact
Workshop
No saviors please
We discuss topics such as 'White Savior Complex' and 'Neo-colonialism'. Our community managers will show you how to make a positive contribution!
Mastermind Sessions
Twice a week
Each session will offer you a combination of brainstorming, education, peer accountability and support to sharpen your business and personal skills.
Free Time
You decide
We help you organizing your free time how you want it to be! For example, join us in a co-working cafe and get work done, go to the gym and hang out at the swimming pool, or volunteer at the 22STARS projects!
THE FULL PROGRAM
Check out here our day to day program !
Our Next Social Impact Trips
Early booking get's rewarded with a good price, as early commitment is essential for our planning and bookings! Stella is hosting two English trips from 8 to 20 September 2019 and from 21 February to 5 March 2020! Together with Stefanie Oeffner Stella is doing a German trip beginning of February upon request.
See You In Uganda!
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PARTNERS
Want to become a partner? Contact us!
Our Next Social Impact Trips
We have only a few spots left for September, sign up now to secure your spot! In addition to our typical English trips, Stella is organizing a special German Trip together with Steffi Oeffner; click on the picture below to see the special trip features.
AUTUMN 2020 TO BE ANNOUNCED
🇩🇪 IN GERMAN🇩🇪
Co-Working, Skill-Sharing and Exploring with impact!
Your co-host Stella Airoldi is a Nomad since years and the founder of the 22STARS Foundation, she is organizing Non-Profit trips to Uganda since 2016. Join her on this epic 2-week long trip that is especially designed for Digital Nomads and Change-Makers, who are purpose driven and want to make a difference! We work closely together with the local team of 22STARS, who are empowering 320 children and 65 parents through Education, Entrepreneurship and Local Leadership in Uganda. In addition we partnered up with Terrace Safaris, Design Hub Kampala and Entrepreneurs Hands Uganda to give you the best rates for any safari you wish to do, connect you with local entrepreneurs and give you space to work.
We often refer to this Social Impact Trip as a Workation or Retreat - as you can choose how to fill in your "Laptop Hours"; join us at the co-working space, share your skills at the 22STARS projects or just relax at the pool. We make sure that everyone gets what they need! Stella is running these trips now since 3 years and so far everyone had an unforgettable experience and the communities grew a lot; not only financially (we get on average an extra 4k in per trip) but also from the skill sharing experiences with the participants!
MASTERMINDS
PROJECT VISITS
SKILL SHARING
SIGHTSEEING
COWORKING
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
© Stella Airoldi 2016-2024 | 22STARS & SOCIAL IMPACT NOMAD
Kasteelplein 73, 4811XC, Breda, The Netherlands.
Chamber of Commerce nr: 53768108