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(1) Tell me more about the Global Volunteer Network?
The Global Volunteer Network was set up by Colin Salisbury, its founder and director, after spending time volunteering in Ghana, West Africa. While he was there he saw the tremendous difference volunteers could make in helping local organizations achieve their goals. Upon returning to New Zealand he spent some time researching the different volunteer organizations around the world and was amazed at how expensive some programs were and how limiting many were in terms of volunteer options. The Global Volunteer Network was launched in December 2000 with the aim of providing quality placements for volunteers.
We are currently offering volunteer placements through our partner organizations in China, Ecuador, Ghana, Nepal, Romania and Uganda. If you are interested in volunteering in other countries I suggest you subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
(2) Tell me more about Uganda?
Uganda is a land locked country in East Africa whose land area of 241,139 sq. km shares borders with Sudan to its north, Kenya to the east, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Tanzania and Rwanda to the south. 40 ethnic groups make up the 21 million people of Uganda, 90% of which live in the rural areas, undertaking subsistence agricultural activities. Lake Victoria the second largest fresh water body in the world provides for the small-scale fish industry in the south and south-eastern region. In the drier northern region of the country, millet and sorghum are the staple foods, whereas the south and the western region feed mainly on plantain (matooke) and cassava.
Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world, with per capita income at US$ 276 and a life expectancy of 47 years for men and 50 years for women which expectancy is expected to worsen as a consequence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There are 9.1 million children under 18 years of age of which 1.9 million are orphans. The under five mortality rate is 156 children per 1,000 live births and 38.3% of every new born gets stunted due to malnutrition. For more information I suggest you purchase the Lonely Planet's guide to East Africa.
(3) What kind of volunteer work is available?
The program aims to reach out to the Orphans and "Street" Children, and families by helping them have a better life now and a constructive future through initiating community sustainable projects and programs. You can participate in:
1. Rural Community Development
Rural communities comprise a large percentage of the Ugandan communities Most rural communities are faced with challenges, including a poor Sanitations, lack of economic opportunities The lack of economic power of the rural community, especially among women, is a major obstacle to long-term development. By providing the villagers with alternative income sources, the income generation programs form a crucial part of promoting sustainable development within the area. Through the programs, the villagers learn crafts and agricultural methods, as well as gain a basic knowledge of practical and marketable skills. The aim is for the local people to learn new skills or recapture traditional Ugandan ones using only local materials.
2. Primary Health Care Project
The ACF Primary Health Program aims to increase access to basic healthcare for the rural people, decrease the prevalence of endemic disease and improve overall village health by providing public health projects and promoting health education in the villages. In the project, we seek to construct health care clinic for the rural communities.
3. HIV/AIDS Prevention & Counseling Project
The ACF HIV/AIDS program focuses on providing culturally sensitive methods of awareness raising and education with the goal of preventing transmission of the disease within the target populations. There is a great lack of HIV/AIDS awareness among the rural indigenous community and essentially no educational programs directed specifically towards the rural communities especially among the youth in primary and secondary schools. ACF seeks to work with trained TASO Counselors who have developed and adapted HIV/AIDS educational materials to the local village population. With these tools we visit local communities to educate them about prevention, transmission and the reality of HIV/AIDS.
4. Education & Training for Orphans
We help Children access education by providing for the needs they have to be able to go to School. The Ugandan extended family system, like many other developing countries, has been the core support provider for orphans, but AIDS, combined with other social and economic pressures has pushed the extended family system to breaking point especially in the worst affected communities here in Uganda. As a result, the Streets of our Towns and Cities are getting big numbers of orphaned Children who do not have anyone to look after them come to live a life of a beggar on the Streets
5. Mother's Empowerment Program
In most of our Ugandan culture, the husband is the breadwinner and after he becomes sick, the family is left to suffer. Getting ahead becomes tough especially for the poorest families without savings to fall back on. Many HIV/AIDS parents pull their children out of school. They cannot afford the school fees and end up selling their few possessions to feed the family. And when they die, their children are left with nothing. Therefore the Mother's Empowerment Program seek to address this problem by teaching the mothers and widows practical skills in micro project such as tailoring, Knitting, running of small kiosks etc... And after training them, we provide them with a small loan of money through the "Micro-Credit Scheme" to help them initiate income generating projects of their choice.
Your placement will be tailored according to your individual needs and interests.
(4) Do I have to be from New Zealand?
No, you can volunteer through the Global Volunteer Network from any where in the world.
(5) What age do you have to be to volunteer?
You must be 18 years old and above. There is no upper limit. You just have to be in good health.
(6) Do you provide any financial support?
We unfortunately are not in a position to offer any financial support. You may want to consider enrolling in a later program to allow enough time to save the funds required.
(7) What immunizations/vaccines will I need?
This will depend greatly on what country you are from. Once you have paid your application fee you will be sent a pack that includes the vaccine information required. You should always consult your doctor before having any medication as some may not be necessary. In many countries you may have already had some of the required vaccinations as a child.
(8) Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer?
Yes it would be helpful if you speak English. You may have English as your second language and that is also fine. While there are many local languages spoken in Uganda, the majority of people speak English.
(9) When do I need to arrive in Uganda?
You can arrive at anytime as training is based at the school and does not run at set times of the year. You will be met at the airport if you are planning to begin volunteering straight away. If you are planning some tourist time in Uganda before beginning teaching then arrangements can be made for you to be picked up at a required destination.
(10) What countries do most volunteers come from?
The majority of volunteers that come through the Global Volunteer Network are from the United States, Canada, England and Australia. We also have smaller numbers of people from the Europe, Japan and New Zealand.
(11) Are the fees and expenses tax deductible?
No, we are only registered as an organization in New Zealand.
(12) Do you have any ideas for fundraising for my volunteer experience?
Yes. Once you have paid your application fee, We will send you the link to our 26 page program guide which includes fundraising ideas.
(13) What are the living arrangements when volunteering?
When you are met at the airport you will be taken to your host family. The next day you will be shown around the projects. You will have your own room and your family will cook all your meals. You are advised to buy your own bottled water once you arrive in Uganda.
(14) Do you need travel insurance?
As with any overseas traveling, insurance is recommended. Talk to your travel agent about this or check out our 26 page program guide which includes links to some online insurance companies. Make sure you look into the details of the policy. You may like to make sure an emergency flight home is included for health reasons. Always include medical or health insurance as part of the deal.
(15) Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering?
Yes. Any time that you are not expected to be at school you are free to do as you please. Teaching hours very from 2 - 5 hours per day. The locals are very friendly and would be more than happy to entertain you or show you some of the local attractions - particularly animals.
You may want to spend some time in Uganda before or after volunteering to see more of the country. You can survive on as little as $7 (U.S) a day in Uganda. You can also spend much more if you want a bit of luxury.
(16) Are there more expenses once I arrive?
The program fee covers all meals during your placement. If you arrive early or intend on staying on in Uganda for longer than you are volunteering then you will need to have spare money for this time. Also some money may be required for your days off depending on what you intend doing.
Other costs include buying bottled water, departure tax and any shopping you will do personally.
(17) How safe is it to volunteer in Uganda?
Uganda is one of the safest countries in East Africa. It has a democratic electoral process and a stable economy. We work very hard to ensure you are placed in safe environments while volunteering. The people are very warm and friendly towards foreigners, so you will be well looked after.
(18) How many volunteers are there on site at the same time?
This depends on how many people volunteer at any one time. Usually we have between 4 and 10 volunteers arriving in Uganda each month.
(19) What resources are available for teaching when I'm volunteering? Do I need to bring my own?
Any teaching resources you have that would be of benefit to you in your teaching placement would ideally be taken with you. You can discuss ideas with our partner in Uganda via the email. If you are doing the teaching program we will send you a resource on teaching to help you in your placement.
(20) Can you tell me more about your partner in Uganda?
Our partner is a non-profit NGO whose main goals are:
- To assist the rural families to overcome poverty and the hopelessness by easing the financial burden of many families who are caring for orphans, provide an opportunity for financial self sufficiency from which the whole family unit can benefit and by so doing ensure that some of the root-causes of poverty are redressed.
- To avoid cultivating aid dependency. This is done by providing the assistance in the form of either a loan or a once-only gift (seed money) for the specific purpose of achieving the goal of self-sufficiency.
- To provide education and an opportunity for orphans to grow up in a caring family environment, other than in institutional care.
(22) How are families accommodated while volunteering?
You would need to pay addition costs for accommodating your family. You would also need to let us know if this is required so you can be placed in your own accommodation.
(23) How can I get in contact with previous volunteers?
Previous volunteers are happy to discuss their experience with you through email. If you would like to do this, contact us and we will put you in touch.
(24) Who organizes my flights?
You do. Once you have paid your application fee, We will send you the link to our 26 page program guide which includes links to discount travel sites.
(25) Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement?
You will organize your Visa through your travel agent before you leave for Uganda. Also our 26 page program guide which includes links to Uganda Embassies through out the world.
If we have not answered your question. Send us a message below. (We aim to answer all emails with in 48 hours).
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