| Uganda Rural Fund | |
 Uganda Rural Fund (URF), a community founded in 2005, empowers orphans, underprivileged youth and adults in rural Uganda through the creation of educational, healthcare, and sustainable development opportunities.Volunteers can work on any of our outreach programs including: a) Mirembe Children’s Home (Orphanage), b) Vocational secondary school, c) Kindergarten to Primary 4, d) Child-headed families e) After school programs, f) Child sponsorship, g) Health care outreach with a clinic and AIDS awareness, h) Village banking (micro-finance) i) Women empowerment, j) Water and sanitation, k) Solar power systems, l) Community empowerment seminars, m) Agricultural development, n) Trade skills and income ventures: arts and crafts, herbal soap and jelly production, Welding, fashion design and tailoring, piggery. We provide shelter, education, basic nutrition, medical care, and support to impoverished children and adults living in the rural districts of Uganda. We place special emphasis on children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and underprivileged women. Without our help, these children have little hope of receiving a proper education and proper nutrition. We ensure their human dignity, peace, and human development. By themselves, these children cannot break the cycle of poverty. Our project work is based in the Masaka district, about three hours from Kampala. We are in the south western region of Uganda. Website: http://www.UgandaRuralFund.org Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ugandaruralfund/ Who can volunteer We seek volunteers who are committed and have a strong desire and passion to help others. Individuals with experience in the following fields would be helpful. However, anyone is welcome: Teachers for both kindergarten, elementary, secondary, and vocational school (classes are taught in English) Instructors for computer skills classes, entrepreneurship and leadership training. Doctors, nurses, medical and nursing students to facilitate medical camps and health workshops. Social workers and counselors Administrative work HIV/AIDS, nutrition, and public health educators Individuals with fundraising experience or with willingness to take on this challenge Grant writing and research IT and library skills to help manage the computer center and the community library. Welding skills Arts and crafts, tailoring, fashion design Engineering (construction, water systems, solar systems, etc) Volunteer job Activities range from gardening to administrative work. Volunteers should prepare to assist with one or more of the following: * Teaching kids in the after-school program ranging from kindergarten, elementary/primary school, secondary school, or in the vocational school. * Helping students with homework i.e. tutoring * Work with students on extracurricular activities * Home visits to child-headed households and families * Administrative work in our offices * Working in the community library and computer center * Preparing progress reports for children who have sponsors * Social media outreach and blog articles * Fundraising activities * Gardening and feeding livestock * General housekeeping work at the orphanage and school * Conducting workshops on community development, human rights, AIDS awareness, etc. * Help with seminars on entrepreneurship and leadership training for students and local residents. *Organizing and running youth camps. * Family outreach in the neighboring villages. * Counseling and career guidance * Construction work in the community and at Hope Academy. We also welcome volunteers who may wish to volunteer with us in the United States or anywhere in their home country. You can contact the international volunteer coordinator for details. What to expect  We are based in a rural community. However, we have easy access to a main highway for easy transportation to next towns. Meals are shared with the host family. We are a small community organization with limited funding. However, we use the limited funds efficiently to maximize its impact in the community. As a result we have a small staff. A volunteer works on multiple projects to have a broad experience of community work - to understand the struggles people have and the collaborative spirit in the community as we seek solutions to address these challenges. Our program is flexible and we can accommodate the interests of a volunteer based on your skills and experience. Management The organization was founded by Ugandans. All the projects are managed by local staff. These are individuals who have lived through similar experiences as the people we are serving. We are driven by the passion to help those in need and transform our communities. International volunteers assist us with the implementation of projects and their input or ideas are welcome. We promote a spirit of collaboration with both local and international partners. Accommodation Our volunteers are placed with host families which gives them an opportunity to experience the culture of the local people. The home where volunteers are placed provide a homely and safe environment. We have security on the site. The volunteers share in the life of the family and build relationships with family members, co-workers, and local people in the villages. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner shared with the host family. Electricity is available – a combination or solar system and grid power. There is Internet access at the home and the school. However, there is no running water or flashing toilets but we have a water system. There is refrigeration and bottled water is provided for drinking. Expect to share a room with another volunteer and adapt to rural village life style. Accommodation & Food cost We ask for a contribution of $300 a month or $10 a day if you are staying less than a month. For details about the volunteer program: manuals, accommodation, travel, associated costs, etc, visit: www.volunteer.ugandaruralfund.org  Environment We are located in a rural community. There is easy access to public transportation. The people are friendly. We speak Luganda but a good number of kids, project staff and local people speak some English. The weather is beautiful. It gets hot but not humid. Common foods: rice, matooke (green plantains), cassava (yucca roots), rice, beans, beef, fish, pork, goat meat, chicken, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, etc. Fruits: guava, mango, jack fruits, passion fruits, papaya, pinnacles, and much more. The food is prepared the traditional way. However, you can also buy some western food from super markets (stores) in town. | |
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