malnutrition
Webmasters December 28, 2021 No Comments

MALNUTRITION

The World Health Organisation defines malnutrition as “deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients”.

The National Health Services of the United Kingdom refers to malnutrition as “poor nutrition”.

There is something in common here, based on those two definitions and that is food.

The food in question is available but it is not exactly the kind of food the body needs and requires to grow as it should grow.

Food is a very vital part of life for children and living life and it shall guide our discussion here.

 

The World Food Programme puts it so well;

“To get to Zero Hunger, food is not enough. Providing food assistance in an emergency can save lives, but the right nutrition at the right time can also help change lives and break the cycle of poverty”.

According to the Global Nutrition Report, Uganda is ‘on course’ to meet two of the global nutrition targets for which there was sufficient data to assess progress!

 

Take, for example, one group of malnutrition (under-nutrition). It includes wasting (having a low weight for one’s height), stunting (having a low height for one’s age), and being underweight (having a low weight for one’s age) as well as having deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.

Undernutrition makes children in particular much more vulnerable to disease and death!

 

According to the World Health Organisation fact-sheet on malnutrition, wasting usually indicates recent and severe weight loss, because a person has not had enough food to eat and/or they have had an infectious disease, such as diarrhea, which has caused them to lose weight. A young child that is moderately or severely wasted has an increased risk of death, but treatment is possible.

 

When it comes to stunting, we are generally dealing with a result of chronic or recurrent undernutrition. Usually associated with poor socioeconomic conditions, poor maternal health and nutrition, frequent illness, and/or inappropriate infant and young child feeding and care in early life. Stunting holds children back from reaching their physical and cognitive potential.

 

For a child to be underweight, they may be stunted, wasted, or both.

 

In the same spirit of having children under the condition of under-nutrition, there exists over-nutrition!

Overnutrition is the situation where a child has more nutrients in their body than they need to have.

Signs and symptoms of malnutrition.

The most common signs and symptoms of malnutrition in children include feeling tired all the time, feeling weak, getting sick often. And taking quite long to recover, a general lack of interest in eating and drinking. Having a low body weight, not growing or not putting on weight at the expected rate among others.

 

Many doctors advise that the best course of action to take once you realize a child is malnourished is to start them on a diet high in proteins and calories.

Food that is high in proteins includes poultry, lean meat like beef and pork, fish, eggs. Dairy products like yogurt and milk among others.

Food that is high in calories includes beans, whole milk, cheese, eggs, oily fish, potatoes, brown rice. And whole-grain bread among others.

 

If you can, it is recommended that you give out a snack in between meals to the child that is malnourished.

And begin them on a diet of drinks that are high on calories like orange juice, apple juice among others.

Adding plenty of fruits and vegetables to the diet of the children helps a lot, too!

 

 Feeding them a balanced and healthy diet, as much as possible hence prevention of malnutrition.

However, this can also begin with the entire journey of the expectant mother. As they are provided this same balanced and healthy diet. In the hope that their children are born healthy and have a lower risk of being stunted, developing poorly, or dying.

Breastfeeding mothers need to eat a plentiful diet to store the energy and nutrients they require to breastfeed successfully.  (UNICEF, 2018)

 

Ps. Since we are talking about malnutrition in children, it is strongly advised medical personnel are consulted to establish what is causing this condition in a child before any action can be taken.

Volunteering in Uganda is the only place you can choose to volunteer to reach out to those who are suffering from malnutrition. Through our community outreach and healthcare plus the orphanage programs, you will be able to extend services and help to these people.

At Love Uganda Foundation orphanage you will get to care for the orphans both external and internal. We care a lot about what type of food our children take. Although they are orphans they deserve to have a balanced and healthy diet. With the help of our partners Tuyambe.org, and Love Uganda Safaris. Through charities and donations that you give to us with we can ensure that they get to eat a balanced diet.

Christmas day
Webmasters December 24, 2021 No Comments

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas day is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ around the world on the 25th of December every year. Both religious and cultural people celebrate it around the world. It’s preceded by the season of advent that initiates the season of Christmastide which historically in the West lasts twelve days. Isaiah 9:6 – For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Christmas day involves giving gifts, Christmas music, and corals, going for church services, decorations of the Christmas tree. People do shopping all over the world. Markets are always full, supermarkets and shopping malls. Buying new clothes for that day is on everyone’s to-do list.

When I was young my mom used to take me shopping to get a Christmas dress and a new pair of shoes. I remember the smile on my face those days because I was just so happy to the extent that I couldn’t sleep. A lot of food was cooked and too many sodas were served. Up to today, nothing has changed.

But who provides for the vulnerable children, who cares if they have got Christmas gifts, new clothes and something to eat. These children don’t have families that care for them, no basic needs, no health care, and no family. Remember Christmas is always fun celebrated with family but where is the family. Some end up on the streets and others in the orphanages where they try to get a picture of what it feels like to have Christmas.

Children are happy for there Christmas gifts

The joy of being given gifts.

So how can you help vulnerable children enjoy Christmas like any other child with a family? Through volunteering, this can be made possible. The memories may seem like a small thing but to a child in foster care means a world to them. Our orphanage program gives you a chance to reach out to the vulnerable children at the Love Uganda Foundation orphanage.

  • Vulnerable children or any other child love gifts. You may not know the name of the child but know the age and gender of the child you are a blessing. This will help you choose the gift or items you wish to purchase. The extra time and effort put in to make a huge difference in helping the child feel loved. You may choose to donate clothes, pairs of shoes, toys, and a teddy bear to kids under  Love Uganda Foundation
  • Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem and when you read luke2:7 says “she gave birth to the firstborn son and wrapped him in the swaddling clothes, and laid him in the manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” Jesus looked like a vulnerable child and he faced hunger, sadness pain and isolated. Many vulnerable children are isolated once their parents die by relatives. They look for what to eat and they are always sad. So choosing to donate food to orphanages during this Christmas season. As you do shopping for your family pick some items to take to the orphanage? For example, sacks of sugar and rice, cooking oil, and loaves of bread.

These kids long to have something they can call theirs and it will become special to them. You will remain in their hearts and pray. I challenge you his holiday season as you decorate your house and Christmas tree, gather around as a family, and celebrate think of ways to make a child in an orphanage and streets feel special. Maybe your love this year will make ornaments for the organization.  The way you love to be given gifts is the way kids at Love Uganda Foundation love them too.

Volunteering in Uganda and its partners Tuyambe.org, Love Uganda Foundation, and Love Uganda Safaris. Wishes you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. We thank you for all the help through donations and sponsoring a child in 2021. And we look forward to working with you in the year2022. Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves. It directs our thoughts to give. This is according to BC Forbes, the Scottish-born American financial journalist

 

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Gender-based violence refers to the harmful acts directed at an individual based on gender. This can be directed to both men and women who go through this but most women go through this around Africa. Gender-based violence takes many forms such as intimate partner violence, sexual violence, child marriage, and genital mutilation. Threats of violence, coercion, and manipulation are involved. 43% of the girls are married before the age of 18.

During COVID-19

One in three women experiences physical or sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner every day in Uganda. In Uganda, 22% of women experienced sexual violence during the lockdown. Gender-based violence cases increased to 3,280 with only 1,148 reported to the police. 3.3million Ugandans are exposed to adult domestic violence each year but the government of Uganda was more focused on treating COVID-19 and averting the spread.

Neglecting gender-based violence by the governments has fueled its effects on people. Limited funds were allocated to the fight. Education, health, and security were allocated supplementary budgets during the COVID-19. In addition, the priorities of governments to focus on the spread of COVID-19 and the elections preparations that happened in Uganda. Leaving women’s wellbeing aside. As a result of the death and injury of many girls and women who suffered sustained emotional and physical abuse at the hands of their husbands and relatives. The economic inequalities between men and women also have fueled the problem too.

East and Southern African regions have the highest rates of sexual violence against women and girls aged 15 to 24 years. Sexual violence against adolescents aged 15 and below is high in conflict and post-conflict countries. For example DRC, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

The persistence of harmful gender norms, alcohol use have maintained the high rate. And overall increased poverty, violence in urban slums areas and conflict areas.

Survivor-centered, ensuring the safety of the survivor, confidentiality that’s how Programs should be. And also respect for the survivor and her/ his right to informed choice.

Programs have been created in the presentation of gender-based violence  as discussed

  • Combating gender-based violence in schools in Benin. Its focus is to combat gender-based violence against girls in schools. Working with the Ministry of education to raise awareness of gender-based violence in schools and legal protections that exist and develop a support network. This will involve the students, Teacher Association members, health care workers, police, lawyers, and magistrates specializing in gender-based violence and social workers.
  • Promoting Women’s Legal Rights in Uganda. It focuses on legal education and assistance to women survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. This is through the provision of paralegal training to community health workers, conducting legal aid outreach events, and training practicing lawyers on women’s legal rights. This will create a platform where women and girls can run to in case violence has occurred.
  • Women for action project in The Gambia. It seeks to accomplish three-goal that is: promotion and advocacy of legal reform for the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Promotion and advocacy of legal reform of national women’s rights bill. And, the sensitization of civil society on the practice and implementation of women’s legal rights under local Muslim law.
  • Stigma Reduction and Empowerment for Women and Survivors of Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The goal is to advance the health, economic and social well-being of women. And girls survivors of sexual violence in rural villages in Walungu Territory Kivu.
  • Elimination of Gender-based violence in Liberia. This is to fight the continued marginalized and discrimination against women and girls in homes, schools, and the workplace and on a professional level.
  • Empowerment of teenage mothers and victims of sexual abuse. This is to empower and assist marginalized groups of young women and girls (teenage mothers and victims of sexual abuse).
  • Women’s Access to Justice: more effective resolution for GBV. And so many others.
About beliefs.

Women have been taken as second-class citizens. So it will take time for men to appreciate that women and girls have the same rights as men.

This is where you as a volunteer come in to support the good cause. So how are you going to help? Through volunteering in Uganda, you will be able to reach out to the affected people to offer help to them through the following ways.

It can be through our community outreach program where you get to interact with people in the communities.

Secondly, healthcare program where you will get a chance to offer medical help to the affected people in many ways.

Lastly, the orphanage program where you will be able to care for the orphans who have been orphaned due to Gender-based violence.

Gender-Based ViolenceAs I summarize, Gender-Based Violence must be addressed as soon as yesterday. .  Reporting the cases of violence to the concerned people: like police concerned NGOs and other organizations. Volunteering in Uganda with its partners Tuyambe.Org and Love Uganda Foundation looks forward to addressing Gender-Based Violence but it cannot do it alone. Let’s join hands through donations, joining the charities organized in communities, and also sponsoring children who are victims of Gender-Based Violence. When we raise our voices together we can communicate, and when we join hands we can help. It does not matter how big or small you can offer as long as it’s for the good cause. Choose to volunteer with us.

 

christian volunteer program
Footprint Volunteer Uganda October 25, 2021 No Comments

CHRISTIAN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM IN UGANDA

 

Uganda is a gifted country located in East Africa. It is known as the pearl of Africa covered with water and green vegetation. The mountains, the lakes in the country for example lake victoria, lake Albert, and lack kyoga. Uganda is a land-locked country. But that does not stop visitors from coming around to enjoy the natural breathtaking beaches on the lakesides. Uganda has a tropical climate because of its location on the equator and it has wet and dry seasons. Christian volunteer program in Uganda allows volunteers that come to Uganda can enjoy the cool breeze around the lakes and mountains and also tour around the country.

Christian volunteer program in Uganda creates so many questions that come into your mind on why you could choose to volunteer in Uganda. But your questions are answered below.

When you choose to volunteer in Uganda you are building a community through service delivery.  You will be able to eat with the people in the community, work together which unites people towards a common good. When volunteering, you can untie with students, teachers, and community members. This will show you there is little or no difference between you and community members that may set you apart.

You will be able to learn the old fashion way of trade that’s to say people still use hand hoes to dig despite the introduction of farming machines and also fetching water from a well.

Uganda is gifted with people who always have something new all the time. They will ask you your names, what you do in terms of your job, your life experiences, and what inspired you to come to Uganda to volunteer and you will also be able to know more about the people here.

Volunteering in Uganda gives you a free ticket to tour around beautiful places like Jinja where the adventure starts from the shores of the River Nile. You will get to play games like bungee jumping, ATV riding, and zip-lining to white water rafting.

You will also get to taste the true organic foods of Uganda. Such as fruits and vegetables straight from the gardens to the table, chicken that lays eggs, sweet fresh juice made locally not from machines that are a grantee, you will not be disappointed at all.

Volunteering will make your way to your childhood life.

When did you last be a child, you will be able to play football and netball, sing children’s songs and dance with them and also get to tell stories of your childhood to the children. You will understand what they mean when they say being around kids is fun and restores joy to your heart.

Uganda is a gifted country due to its wildlife at Murchison falls located in Lolim, Masindi. When you choose to take a safari, you will be able to see the gazelle, giraffes, elephants, and also a chance to see a lion.  You will get a chance to move on the water to see the crocodiles and the hippos, the breathtaking landscape at the view of Murchison falls and a powerful flow of water at the Nile River which the tour guide will take you through.

Uganda has got several volunteering programs that help the vulnerable children

Volunteer in teaching is a program that involves teaching orphaned children, street children, and vulnerable children in rural areas. You can teach the children English to improve on writing and reading English words. And also other subjects like math hence helping in educating a child.

HIV/AID is a problem in Uganda as the numbers of those who are sick are rising as days go by. So HIV/AIDs has become a program or project to volunteer in too. Every day parents and children are affected by the disease and many die. So the volunteer is allowed to deliver educational programs, training, and other activities. These are to help those suffering from it. The volunteer will offer support in terms of giving encouraging words, treatment informs of ARVs to the patients. And also psychological support through guidance and counseling to the patients of HIV. And help create awareness to the population on ways how to protect themselves from the disease. To those who already have the disease not to spread it to other people.

The community development program;

involves developing communities through empowering women and youth in the community. This is through giving them skills on how to work and reduce poverty in their households. For example, tailoring of clothes, agricultural skills. And how to run and manage the business. The basic hygiene and health care of their bodies. The best way is to educate the girl child so that they receive equal opportunities with men.

Child care /orphanage program; this program runs around child development, showing love to orphanages. This is by providing for them in so many ways that are to say education where volunteers can sponsor or donate for the education of the child. Teach them ways how they can clean themselves, take drugs in case they are sick, and also prepare meals for them to eat. Hence making them feel loved and also showing them that somebody cares for them.

Health care programs, this is to cater to the health of the people, children in the community. The opportunity is for medical persons. These will work in both public and community hospitals to offer needed assistance to doctors. And financially unstable patients. There are so many people in Uganda who are suffering from curable diseases. But this is due to inadequate healthcare professionals, hospitals, and also money to fund the treatment. And this will give a valuable medical experience that will benefit one greatly in the future.

In conclusion, the Christian volunteer programs in Uganda should work towards improving the lives of vulnerable children, orphans, and street children and also develop more volunteer opportunities to attract more volunteers to come into the country to offer their support in communities. Let Footprint Volunteering in Uganda take you through your volunteering process.

 

volunteer programs in Uganda
Footprint Volunteer Uganda September 16, 2021 3 Comments

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN UGANDA

As Jesus said in John 15:12 “my command is this; Love each other as I have loved you.” Volunteering is showing love to the people.  volunteering is working to help the needy, the less fortunate, and also the vulnerable people at no cost. There are so many areas where one can volunteer in Uganda. Volunteer programs in Uganda give you a chance to open up your mind. And also know what people go through to find solutions for the problem.

When you choose to volunteer in any place, it’s giving it your all. To help develop the people and also the communities where one is from. These include charity works, developing skills for the people, and also empowering people women and youth in the community. Remember it’s not the company to benefit but the community to benefit from the volunteering company.

The list below shows several volunteer programs offered in Uganda to the volunteer.

Health care programs, this is to cater to the health of the people, children in the community. Medical persons will work in public and community hospitals. They are to provide needed assistance to doctors and patients who are financially unstable.

There are so many people in Uganda who are suffering from curable diseases. But due to inadequate healthcare professionals, hospitals, and also money to fund the treatment. The people will get free treatment. This will give a valuable medical experience that will benefit one greatly in the future.

Education program; this is to provide education to the members of the country. Several people are uneducated not because that’s the way they want it. But because they lack funds to pay for schools.

And also lack professional teachers in the rural and poor areas especially those in English teaching. This is in terms of correct use of words, English grammar, writing, and reading and comprehension skills.

Furthermore, the volunteers will work along with the local teachers in the community in delivering the services to children. This will help them improve their vocabulary and speaking of the children.

Hence opening for them a worldwide opportunity for which could change their future. The teaching program calls for creating a playing environment for the children. This helps to enhance the creativity of the children that is through singing, playing games like football, netball too.

HIV/AIDs has become a problem in Uganda. The number of those who are sick is rising as days go by. So HIV/AIDs has become a program or project to volunteer in too. The disease affects and kills both parents and children. So the volunteer under this program will deliver educational programs, training, and other activities. This is to help those suffering from it.

The volunteer will offer support in terms of giving encouraging words, treatment informs of ARVs to the patients. Also psychological support through guidance and counseling to the patients of HIV. As well as creating awareness to the population on ways how to protect themselves from the disease. Those who already have the disease do not spread it to other people.

The community development program is also a big shot for volunteering. This involves developing communities through empowering women and youth in the community. This is through giving them skills on how to work and reduce poverty in their households.

For example, women are taught how to do tailoring of clothes, agricultural skills. And how to run and manage the business. Women are taught basic hygiene and health care of their bodies. In addition, the best way is to educate the girl child so that they receive equal opportunities with men.

Furthermore, youth empowerment is also key to community development. Many youths in Uganda are unemployed and less educated. They lack the skills to either work in companies or start up a business of their own. This can be helped by advising the youth to take part in the development of projects. Youth advisory programs, and also elementary and high school clubs would help them develop skills.

Child care /orphanage program; this program runs around child development. Showing love to orphanages by providing for them in so many ways that are to say education.

Volunteers can sponsor or donate for the education of the child, teaching them ways how they can clean themselves. Taking drugs in case they are sick and also preparing meals for them to eat. This makes them feel loved and also shows them that somebody cares for them.

In a nutshell, volunteer programs in Uganda lookout to develop people in the community. They help them to break the poverty line in the families. These programs help in the child development, development of skills, empowerment of youths and women. They also call for equal rights for men and women.

 

 

orphanage project in Uganda
Footprint Volunteer Uganda September 15, 2021 No Comments

ORPHANAGE PROJECT

ORPHANAGE PROJECT

It’s a good project but a challenging one. It needs a lot to put in without expecting a lot to come out of it. Orphanages are homes that accommodate orphans, children with special needs, street children, and vulnerable children. The orphanage project provides shelter for children, gives them health care, provides education, and also gets basic needs of life. These children have abandoned children due to financial problems, conflicts, or wars, some have lost one or both parents due to HIV/AIDS. Some leave homes due to child labor, and domestic violence, and abuse from their relatives who tend to take care of them when their parents die. Due to extreme poverty in their homes/ families, their parents or relatives abandoned them on the streets.

Below are some of the skills need in the orphanage program.

In an orphanage project, you do not need much to be a volunteer. What you need is to be able to love the children, play with them, care for them and teach them some of the skills you know. This is to enable them to grow up knowing that somebody loves and cares for them amidst their childhood times. When around children you have to be patient, kind, and at the same time flexible when working with children that’s all you need to have.

Responsibilities of the volunteer in an orphanage project

The volunteer in an orphanage will help in preparing meals for children, feeding them, bathing and dressing the children, washing clothes, and help in keeping the orphanage clean, well-organized at all times.

The volunteer will take care of the children in the orphanage in an affectionate manner. You should be able to offer support in their times of challenging situations and also play with them during their leisure times.

The volunteer may be asked to help in teaching children in an orphanage school. This would depend on the volunteer’s capability on the subjects said to be taught and his or her comfort zone. Subjects mostly English will be taught to children and other subjects, educate them about personal hygiene, and impart valuable life skills.

Organization of Educational games by the volunteer for children at the orphanage. For example, learning fun songs and rhymes, and sports activities. This helps in the growth of children, child development, and also their well-being.

How does volunteering in an orphanage project helps the children?

Volunteering helps children discover their inner strengths and life skills. That’s to say as they can talk to people, they become open and say what they feel like. The volunteers can guide them in their day-to-day life hence becoming successful in life.

Volunteering helps children in orphanages to attain quality education. Volunteers help in teaching the children English and other subjects like math and also help them in doing homework. This helps them to become better citizens of the country. Quality education allows them to acquire skills, values, beliefs, moral habits, and achieving knowledge.

Volunteering also helps in building better classrooms, houses/shelters for the children. This gives the children better learning structures and a good place for them to leave in hence a secured living.

Volunteering helps the children attain good health services.  At the orphanage treatment of malaria, cough, and flu is done. This helps children grow healthy and strong.

Children can eat balanced and good food in an orphanage. Volunteers help in feeding the children food that develops their immune system. To fight diseases and also build their bodies.

Volunteering helps in restoring hope to children who had lost hope.  It makes them feel loved when shown love, care, a listening ear, and playing with them. This helps the children to grow well knowing that they have a shoulder to run to. For instance, in chase danger knocks on the door.

Summarily, volunteer in Uganda orphanage project, volunteering is of great importance in the lives of children. It creates a unique bond between the children and the volunteers. children get their restored hope, love, care, and kindness restored. It also helps the volunteers to improve on their skills, learn new cultures, and how they do things. All in all, it’s always fun when you choose to volunteer.

 

 

 

 

volunteering in Uganda footprint volunteer
Footprint Volunteer Uganda September 14, 2021 3 Comments

VOLUNTEERING IN UGANDA (FOOTPRINT VOLUNTEER UGANDA)

A volunteer refers to a person who offers to take part in an organization with little or no pay. Footprint Volunteer Uganda is an initiative project to reach out to the various needs within our society. And these include; vulnerable people, wildlife, water and environment, Agriculture, human rights.

Volunteering involves providing a safe health environment that could accommodate life and any kind of living. Various programs are currently running under this project among which include; Elderly program, Childcare/Orphanage program, Widows program, Disabled program, HIV/AIDS program, Youth program, Water and sanitation, Healthcare program, Human rights, and Community development program. The major objective of the footprint is an opportunity for everybody out there that has the zeal of changing and transforming a society positively basing on the mentioned needs.

Discussed below are the programs carried out in Footprint Volunteer Uganda.

Childcare/Orphanage program

is a volunteer program set up to render support to orphaned, poor, and marginalized children of Uganda who have not acquired parental support and have faced several challenges in life.

A local orphanage based in Kalagi-Mukono [Uganda], founded by the late Emmanuel MacMillan Kitumba in 2012 to rescue and restore hope to the vulnerable children in most war, epidemic, poverty, HIV/AIDS affected areas. The orphanage shelters around 20 children around the age of 3 to 15 years. This program is based to show love and restore hope to the orphans around Uganda.

These children have encountered a lot of problems that make it hard to trust anyone so easily. So a trained team on grounds specialized in children trauma healing education. Some children are sexually abused by their relatives so volunteering in Uganda works with Love Uganda Foundation that connects to the police

Health care program

its aim is (To improve health in rural communities through educating and engaging people in health programs.) Medical volunteers or interns can join our Public health & medical care project and sustainably change the health, and hygiene of Uganda’s rural people.

The medical volunteer program takes you to rural hospitals, clinics, small communities or orphanages, sub-urban medical centers to provide checkups. Basic medical care, early intervention provide services for infants and toddlers less than three years of age who may have or be at risk of developmental delay.

Family planning-provide information about birth control methods to help in planning the number and spacing of children, when to become pregnant and provides to improve the health and well-being of children in their care.

Treatment of malaria, tuberculosis, and syphilis are the most common health ailments in Uganda. For example, a registered nurse, medical doctor, lab technician, and paramedic or have a trained medical skill then you can.

Participate in patient care such as diagnosing, injections, lab work. If you are a midwife then you can work in the maternity ward assisting with prenatal and antenatal care. All the activities are under the supervision of professional doctors, nurses, and support staff.

Education/teaching program

is also a program undertaken to equip the orphans and the community to attain education at all levels. The volunteer project involves teaching primary school children using dedicated one-on-one sessions to help bring them up to required standards. The aim is to give certain students extra attention as they have fallen behind the rest of their peers. The education volunteer will help children learn the correct use of English words, master English grammar, encourage writing, reading, and comprehension skills. This will let the children practically learn the language and may be able to improve their verbal skills.

Volunteers are also to work in government and public primary schools located in and around the areas to teach children. Volunteers mainly teach children aged between 4-16years. Subjects to be taught include English (Conversational and Written), Math’s, Geography, Religious Education, Entrepreneurship skills, General Knowledge as well as Physical Education a sports program in schools. They teach for approximately 4-5 hours a day, five days a week.  They may be alone or with the help of other teachers.

Community development/ empowerment

involves work alongside local people on community development programs. This includes education, women’s empowerment, environmental monitoring, income-generating activities, health management, and mapping.

Women empowerment is one of the programs under community empowerment that works towards better welfare and social development of women.

Empowering women to improve basic hygiene and health care, to fight high rates of infant mortality. The answer is to educate girls. Volunteering in Uganda therefore, understands that the future of many communities lies in the hands of empowered female leaders. Women may share their knowledge in the community’s best interests.

Equal opportunities are what we aim for in Uganda.  volunteers have a chance to assist women by boosting literacy and health education, providing income generation tips and microcredit loans education, rights, and life skills.

saving and credit – micro-credit through cooperatives, income generative skills training, women health, and maternity education. Teaching the English language to young women, help with small business skills.

We see the rise in quality of life for the women as fundamental to positive development for Uganda as a whole. By providing women with the tools to be at the head of their own future successes.

Lastly, youth empowerment concludes then community programs.

The percentage of unemployed youth in Uganda both skilled and unskilled stands at 2.44%. Covid-19 made the matter worse companies closed and some lied off workers due to limited funds. (UNICEF generally defines youth as being between the ages of 15 and 24 years old). Some youth also have negative views on certain jobs so they are unwilling to take them if offered a position. Youth unemployment poses a serious political, economic, and social challenge to the country and its leadership. It’s difficult for Uganda to break out of poverty.

Volunteers help in sensitization of the youth through sharing, success stories experimentation with different case studies, acquisition of some important skills such as leadership,  at times even a financial push where needed.

Youth are also encouraged to take part in community activities like Leading and attending Events for example arts and crafts, games like group games, non-competitive games, and puzzles and quizzes. Youth advisory programs, Aid work in remote parts of the country Elementary and high school clubs’ and Development of projects.

In a nutshell Footprint volunteer, Uganda offers a platform for people around and outside Uganda to volunteer in all areas to help the orphans, the vulnerable women in rural areas to develop skills, support financial support, health care to develop social development hence reducing poverty, the dependence of women on men and stopping domestic violence.

 

 

volunteer Uganda packing list
Footprint Volunteer Uganda September 13, 2021 3 Comments

`VOLUNTEER UGANDA PACKING LIST

`VOLUNTEER UGANDA PACKING LIST

As it’s written in proverbs 22:9 “the generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Volunteering is something that would give someone peace of mind and at the same time restore someone’s lost hope.

 Volunteer Uganda Packing list for a trip is hard for any person to do but when you have a guiding list makes it easy for you to pack for any trip. Volunteering is a hands-on activity where certain clothes do not fit. So the guide protects you in a way that you are able not to spoil your best outfit. People tend to overpack while planning a trip.  Some planes carry limited kilos. So it’s good to know what to carry and not to carry while coming up to volunteer.

Below are some of the things you should include in your volunteer Uganda packing list.

The volunteer has got to have an open mind when planning a trip to volunteer in Uganda. When volunteering you don’t have a clear mind on what you are going to do. And how it’s going to be done. So many people get so excited while planning a volunteer trip and try to imagine things. It’s easy if someone has not built up any expectations. So it’s better if everything takes you by surprise but not getting disappointed when what you expected did not happen.

As you enter a country one has to be very patient in learning a new culture of the community. This is not going to be easy to do nor does it just happen in one day. So you have to be patient with yourself and also with the people around you.  The things that are done back home may not be the way they are done here. It is sometimes testing to adopt a new culture but if given time, it becomes easy for you.

What to pack in terms of what to put on as you are going to your volunteering place should be known. One should be able to know the weather and the environment of the country. Uganda at some points is a hot country. So one should carry some light clothing to cope up with the weather. As it may get hotter while working so one needs some comfortable, suitable clothes and also some easy shoes. It does not matter whether you are teaching, gardening, or working with animals. 

The volunteer should be able to communicate with the volunteering company on what to bring from home. The company should be able to provide information on what to bring. If it can be brought from the country or community where one is going to work from. This is to ensure that the money goes back to the local economy to develop them.

As the volunteer is preparing for a volunteer trip, one should mind about the safe that he or she has in the volunteer accommodation. A body hygiene kit can be folded on a wall so it’s advisable.

One should be a positive person as one prepares to volunteer in any country for example Uganda. You should prepare your mind to think positively no matter what work he or she is going to volunteer into that’s to say, teaching, working with orphanages, and health care. No matter how hot or cold the place may be one should be able to cope up with anything.

Volunteer’s imprinted documents should not be carried when on a volunteer trip as it saves space in the suitcase or backpack. These documents can be downloaded on smartphones or tablets and also on laptops. This makes it possible to assess all documents and information needed instead of carrying documents in large quantities as this also saves space and time.

Well, in a nutshell, volunteer Uganda packing list offers to make one comfortable while coming on a field trip as it’s easy for one to cope up with any situation around. Guidance to a volunteer is also something to put around to make the visitor feel at home to reduce the discomfort of the volunteer. It’s also advisable for the volunteer company to always update the volunteer on the updates of the company so that he or she is well equipped with information about the company.

 

Webmasters January 28, 2021 2 Comments

KNOW MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING UGANDA

Volunteering in Uganda is an NGO initiative aimed at reaching out to the various needs within the Ugandan society through volunteerism. The organization has the objective of availing an opportunity to everybody. That has a zeal for changing and transforming a society positively. Through the provision of a platform and hands-on involvement in the support process. Through its partnership with Love Uganda Foundation, Volunteering in Uganda intends to “make volunteerism a relevant, purposeful engine for democracy and sustainable communities today, and by so doing, create a vibrant purposeful society tomorrow.”

Also known as “Footprint Volunteer Uganda“, the organization has diverse programs. That is to say the elderly program, disabled program, HIV/AIDS program, Youth program. Childcare program, widows program, water, and sanitation program, healthcare human rights, and development program. All the above programs are catered for within the organization’s four major programs which are; The Community Development Program, The Healthcare program, The Education/teaching program, and The Childcare/Orphanage program. Each of these programs is specifically and carefully arranged. To cater to the needs of the different beneficiaries of the Organization.

The Community Development Program

believes that through training local farmers, helping the local women groups. Sensitizing women, and child advocacy, volunteers can be able to cause a rewarding impact on society.    This program involves working alongside people within the local communities, engaging in developmental programs through education.  Women`s empowerment, environmental monitoring, income-generating activities, health management, and mapping. The Women Empowerment program and the Youth Empowerment Program fall under the Community Development program.Volunteering in Uganda

Under the Women Empowerment Program,

Volunteering in Uganda notes, “If you want to change a culture, to empower women, to improve basic hygiene and healthcare, to fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls”.

It is for this reason that this volunteer program is steered. Towards the creation of better welfare and socio-economic development for women.  From poor areas both within rural areas and Uganda`s capital city – Kampala.

Through many projects, for example, teaching the English language to young women, providing training on proper account keeping to women in small finance groups. Participating in, as well as initiating awareness-raising activities in various issues. Working with women in their farms, arranging activities to improve the self-confidence and educational development of women. Working with Love Uganda Foundation local staff to train women, etc. All the volunteer programs are aimed at ending discrimination against women in the most marginalized communities.

The Youth Empowerment Program

is geared towards supporting the youth, who demographically, make up 78% of Uganda`s population. Making it the youngest population worldwide. UNICEF defines youth as being between the ages 15-24years. Unfortunately, despite being the majority of the country being young and vibrant. Statistics show that the unemployment rate in Uganda is 83%, with 3.2% of Uganda Youth working for waged employment.  90.9% work for informal employment, and 5.8% are self-employed. It is thus Volunteering in Uganda`s desire to changes these statistics through availing opportunities for volunteers. To support the youth in Uganda by sharing success stories, the impartation of skills. Such as leadership to the youth, and where the need is, grant financial support to them. The youth are also encouraged to take part in community stimulating activities.

Under the Healthcare program,

Volunteering in Uganda aims to improve health in rural communities by educating and engaging people in health programs.  Volunteers with a medical background and public health. Volunteers in this program are taken to some of the rural hospitals, clinics, communities, or orphanages. Where they provide checkups, basic medical care, early intervention services, family planning information, etc. Volunteering in Uganda understands that Health is a basic human right. And as a result, it put in place such programs to ensure that the vulnerable people in Uganda can access them.

Recognizing that the Right to Education is a fundamental human right,

Volunteering in Uganda seeks to make access to that right possible for as many children as it can reach. Through its Education/Teaching Volunteer program. Under this, volunteers work in government and public schools. Mainly teaching children aged between 4-16 years in English, Maths, Geography, Religious Education, Entrepreneurship, General Knowledge, and Physical Education. This particular field requires the volunteer to be compassionate and can care for and relate with children. Through fun and outgoing activities that can grab the interest of the children. And creative teaching methodologies with which they can easily learn. Volunteers under this program are required to work for 4-5 hours each day, for five days a week.

Childcare program

Finally, Volunteering in Uganda has a volunteer program set up to render support to the orphaned, poor and marginalized children of Uganda. Through its Childcare program. This program seeks to reach out to children who have not acquired parental support. That they need and have faced several challenges in life. Under this program, Volunteers can support and love orphans. Under the care of Love Uganda Orphanage which is based in Kalagi – Mukono. The orphanage is home to 30 vulnerable children aged between 3-15 years. Among those who are disabled children, those that were abandoned, and some of them living with HIV/AIDS. This Volunteer program also reaches out to 300 other children under the external child care program. Where the organization gives support to very poor single families. Within this program, volunteers can participate in the rescuing and restoration of hope to such vulnerable children.

Seeing as the world has partnered to create a positive and long-lasting impact globally through the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals. Volunteering in Uganda is actively playing her role, with emphasis on SDG No. 1-No poverty, SDG No. 3- Good health, SDG No.4- Education, and SDG No. 5- Gender equality. It is thus a call to action for all those with a passion for causing and participating in the creation of a world. That can support the existence of life today, as well as enable a fruitful life for future generations. Through either partnering with Volunteering in Uganda or giving to the cause.

Webmasters October 1, 2018 3 Comments

VOLUNTEERING IN UGANDA ORPHANAGE.

Bring joy to the orphans of Uganda while volunteering in the Uganda orphanage.

Do you know how it feels to bring joy to the lives of young ones in Uganda? Volunteer in orphanages of Uganda and provide much love and support to these orphans.

Due to poverty and the rampant spread of HIV/AIDS in Uganda, millions of children become orphans every year. Many children are rescued from human traffickers or withdrawn from the streets by well-wishers, NGOs, and charity homes in Uganda; however, with little help from the government, many children are still homeless.

Charity homes and orphanages in Uganda are doing their best to educate, clothe, and house and feed these children; In other words, they cater for almost everything to the orphans and other needy children that find their way in.

However, they are underfunded and lack enough manpower to properly care for the orphans. Therefore, volunteering in Uganda orphanages will help these charity homes. To provide capable and cheap manpower, care, and attention to the children. Volunteer in an orphanage in Uganda and help create a haven for the orphaned children of Uganda.

Volunteers however should mind the orphanages they choose to volunteer in. Because some have capitalistic intentions other than helping to bring change in the lives of orphans in Uganda. Volunteering in Uganda is one of the orphanages doing its best to empower the next generation. Therefore, consider it while choosing an orphanage to volunteer in Uganda.

Since orphanages are the only places where the unfortunate children can turn to for protection, they need the help of volunteers, who can help in taking care of the children, undertaking community out-reach programs, teaching/training, helping to do housework, and simple medical treatment.

Orphanages in Uganda, apart from offering necessities that can allow orphans to grow up better. It also protects the children from exploitation. These institutions need all the help they can get. And you volunteering with them would help them reach out to more vulnerable children.

Children will undoubtedly appreciate the love and time that you devote to them as you inject fresh energy, inspiration, and skills into the orphanage.

There are no specific qualities needed to volunteer in the Uganda orphanages, though the knowledge of knowing Ugandan culture and diversity can help improve the experience for both parties, the volunteer and children. The volunteers, therefore, have to be enthusiastic, reliable, flexible, and patient and strive to be good role models for the children.

Some of the activities that volunteers can participate in include teaching English and maths lessons, helping children to complete their homework, doing home chores, sports activities, identifying simple illnesses, playing and feeding the kids, community outreaches, and many others

Uganda has several orphanages that welcome volunteers; however, there are only a few which are trusty worth and among them is Volunteering in Uganda. It offers opportunities to everyone especially those interested in volunteering in orphanages. If you volunteer with Volunteering in Uganda, you will be doing a great job for the needy and orphans of Uganda.