Challenge:

Orphanage Work

Destination:

*Uganda

Departure Dates From:

24/05/2008

Across Africa there is a large problem with orphaned children, or children who have, for one reason or another, taken to the streets. The main reason for this is the cycle of poverty and disease: families have little in the way of income, most relying on subsistence farming, which in turn leads to less food for the home, and no money to treat health problems, which again turns to increased risk in terms of health and the spread of disease, and a higher rate of orphaned children. While traditionally such children would then go to the care of extended family, as families have so little in turns of resources anyway, this often leads to neglect, malnourishment, and even abuse.

In Uganda, there is no strict Government policy which deals with children in such a manner. Therefore it is up to private institutes and donors to support these children. There are several Children's Centres around Jinja town where we work, and a pre-school for orphans. Your placement largely depends on your interests, and the time of year you do your placement.

For live-in centres, primary aged children will go to school during the day time. Thus most activities with the children are after school hours, in helping with meal times and assisting with after school activities such as homework, play, and music. However during holiday times, children are in the centre's all of the time, thus you could be spending your days organising extra curricular activities, as well as the basic running of the centre.

There are two pre-school's for orphans in the Jinja district, set up by the NGO we work with in Jinja. The schools are open in the morning during term times and as well as the usual range of subjects, the children have a good emphasis on creative education. There is the opportunity to go and assist the teachers in the pre-schools, or even run your own workshops with the children there.

The structure of your days largely depend on your interests, and the age group you hope to assist with. At the orphanage you will help the child's development by providing basic schooling, story time and fun and games as well as helping out at meal times. In addition to this some of the children at the orphanage have learning difficulties so sometime will be spent offering one to one assistance with those who require it as well.

This project can be combined with a teaching placement at the local school and each venturer designs her or his own programme in assistance with her or his crew.

*Venturers Role* You will need endless energy and enthusiasm, as you take on the roles of carer, friend, storyteller, English teacher, games organiser and homework helper to name but a few!

Location: Our Madvenurer medical projects are based in Jinja, southern Uganda, located by Lake Victoria on the source of the River Nile. Jinja is a spacious, relaxed town with a market, matatu [a large minibus that acts as a shuttle] park, internet cafes, post office, bars [for cold soft drinks or beers], cafes and small shops that will provide most essentials and a little bit more.

Transport is provided by matatus and boda-bodas (bicycles or small motorcycles [pikipikis). Jinja is about one and a half hours away from Kampala, Uganda's more bustling capital, which is home to a lively nightlife.

The area surrounding Jinja is very green, with thick vegetation. itself is renowned for its birdlife and is home to many wild animals, perhaps most famously the gorilla, with half of the worlds population resident within the country.

It is possible to access some beautiful scenery in the surrounding areas, and for the more adventurous there is the opportunity to test yourself against the mighty White Nile whilst white water rafting, face the Nile High Bungee jump or go quad biking in nearby Bujigali.

An hour and a half away is Kampala, the vibrant capital of Uganda. There is a wealth of things to do in this attractive city, whether it's browsing around the famous Owino market; indulging in some western luxuries in the shopping centre, or relaxing around a pool in the hot sun. Kampala's bustling nightlife always promises a good night out.

Accommodation: You will live in a shared house with a madventurer crew and other venturers who will be working in teaching, healthcare, football coaching or orphanage and work in the week with weekends free to explore. *Carework or Orphanage work in Uganda can be part time, and can be combined with other placements i.e. teaching, football or netball coaching*

What's included: All meals, accommodation and transport is provided. Our experienced crew can arrange airport pick up's (just enquire for a price if required), introduce the project and organise it's structure. They have responsibility to be on-hand for 24 hour support, assistance and to share their insider knowledge of Uganda

A word from the regional manager:

Orphanage work in terms of timetable is pretty much done to the individual volunteer.  Most volunteers are working the morning till about 2, at which point the kids tend to go to sleep usually until around 3.30, sometimes the venturers will go back but often they jut take time to relax in the avo.  In terms of what they're doing in the orphanages most tend to work with the preschool age group, teaching numbers and letters etc.  One or two have spent their time just playing with the babies, feeding them and all the things you need to do with babies.
 
If a volunteer wished to split their time with carework and something else, that wouldn't be a problem at all.  Teaching may be difficult as most of the carework is done at the same time that schools are in but sports coaching can be done at any time of the day so would be an easier split.

John Riddell Uganda 2008