GIDCCO-Uganda Organization
Pastor Fred Mwanje is man of God and he loves people like you, feel free to read about what we are doing in Uganda Africa and your about to know us very well...Because of the Love we Have for children and widows of Uganda we started with outher the ministry called GIDCCO is an independent, indigenous, NGO registration Number certificate S.5914/7195 qualify for tax exemption status. organization in Uganda with a vision to rescue, nourish, and spiritually strengthen street kids, orphaned children, and widows in need as a result of AIDS/HIV.
By sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and with the help of religious leaders, our community, and volunteers, we strive to uphold the sanctity of human life by meeting their spiritual, physical, and emotional needs through education, health care, and social welfare.
Today, much of Uganda remains undeveloped. It's populace is ravaged by civil wars, hunger and the AIDS/HIV epidemic that continues its foray into every village.
Currently, 80% of the overall population of Uganda is youth, of the 80%, 39% are orphans, and 41% are infected with HIV/AIDS. 62% of the villages that we reach out to, have the highest population level of AIDS/HIV. Through Gods word and His will, we seek to bring hope and a future to this generation of parentless children.
Our organization for community development can have a great impact on the lives of the people it serves, given proper funding.
Even though we are a private charity NGO organization, we are registered with the Ugandan government.
$25.00 per month, the amount most families spend on a single dinner, will send one of these orphaned children to school and provide them with food, clothing and other essential needs for a month.
The children and widows of Uganda need your contributions, act now in any way possible. No amount is too small.
We currently have a database of 500 children in our organization that need regular monthly support. One of our intended goals with the children is to identify the orphans that are in great need and require immediate action. We seek out the community for the immediate relatives that are still living; it can be an Uncle, an Aunt, a Cousin... we evaluate the situation, find out what the relatives think is best for the child before any action is taken. Together with the relative's input and taking in consideration the child's preference, we decide whether this child is able to live with the relative. Another option would be for a widow or suitable family that are willing to adopt a child. The child will re-locate to their home and they will then become the guardian and will be responsible for training/guiding the child. Many times when a parent is sick and dying from AIDS/HIV, the oldest child becomes the parent. They are no longer able to go to school and must care for the dying parent as well as work and take care of the younger siblings. This in most cases is the standard for living in Uganda.
Please Pray for Pastor Fred Mwanje and his mission to rescue the orphans and street kids of Uganda. Young and old alike find themselves with no place to sleep but the streets. This baby has a wound on her head, yet no one stops..why?? because there are so many and not enough help to rescue them all. Please prayerfully consider giving GIDCCO the means to help as many as God will allow. No child should live this way.
Uganda
Volunteer Opportunities in Uganda
GIDCCO / Heart of God in Uganda
Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa because of its beautiful landscape, rivers, lakes, mountains and friendly people. It is one of the continent?s most beautiful and inspirational countries. GIDCCO is blessed to be based in Jinja, a town that sits on the edge of the mighty White Nile.
We are very happy that you are interested in volunteering with GIDCCO. We are honored to have you come and volunteer with us.
GIDCCO will enable you to get involved at a grass roots level in ministry among the people in their native villages. All we ask for is your time, energy, faith and trust. By choosing to volunteer with us, you will be making a huge impact in our community and in the individual lives of people most of the world has forgotten.
The Program
GIDCCO in Uganda has projects based in Jinja and within nearby villages. All projects are aimed at providing primary and secondary education to needy children, working with the orphans, widows, and doing community outreach, counseling, and helping to improve adult literacy. Most projects have little or no resources, so volunteers with different ideas and experiences are highly valued.
Please note that all projects require volunteers who are self-starters who can conduct their daily activities with minimal supervision. Specific daily schedules and activities will be determined between volunteers and their coordinator upon arrival. Two meals are provided each day which will consist of local foods such as matooke (mashed plantain), posho (corn bread), potatoes, and rice. They are generally served with beef, chicken, fish, beans, or groundnut sauce. Bread, eggs and fruits are also available for breakfast.
Village Projects
GIDCCO networks with a number of small community based organizations that provide counseling, care, and education for rural people and orphaned and underprivileged children. Each of these placements is located in a village setting within Jinja and Mayuge districts.
Each village placement will provide a different experience for the volunteer, but main activities will involve working with local children and youth, teaching nursery, primary, and vocational education. Volunteers work in the areas of sport, art, games and academics.
For volunteers with a medical background, placements can involve work in local clinics with small health-based community organizations.
Community outreach activities such as youth mentoring, HIV prevention and AIDS care, women?s rights education, and education regarding modern farming techniques are undertaken by each community based organization. Longer term volunteers are encouraged to get involved despite the language barrier, and see the development work done at the village level.
A village placement is particularly appropriate for those volunteers with great ideas and enthusiasm for grass roots development. There are ample opportunities for volunteers to learn and use Luganda, the language spoken predominantly within Jinja District, and Lusoga, the language spoken predominantly within Jinja District.
However, if you wish to work in a very remote area with HIV positive orphans, we are developing a new project in a village in Mayuge district (about six hours away from our programs in Jinja). This is the area where HIV/AIDS most devastated Uganda. The organization is focused on bringing aid, education, and love to the orphans of the area, many of whom lost their parents due to AIDS related illnesses. Volunteers help with feeding, organizing play, arts and crafts, hygiene and HIV/AIDS education appropriate to the children?s' age level (3 to 8 years).
Volunteers may also be asked to help with administrative work such as setting up budgets, updating paperwork, writing proposals, and setting up/maintaining personal files for each of the children. (Please note that there is a significant language barrier between yourself and the children. Local teachers will have to help you with translation.) This is a challenging but amazing program for volunteers with experience organizing children, such as camp counselors, day care workers and people who love children. Bring your games, songs, and enthusiasm to the village!
For all village placements, accommodation and daily meals will be provided within the village of placement, and will range from private apartments to rooms in private homes.
Jinja Town Council Projects
Primary Schools
There are many private primary schools in Uganda that cater exclusively to the education, housing and feeding of needy children and orphans. Volunteers can teach primary subjects and organize sport and art activities for the children. School terms vary from year to year but are approximately as follows: February 1 to April 30, and May 20 to August 30, September 15 to November 15.
Placements at local secondary schools can be arranged upon request.
Volunteers will require a university degree to be eligible to teach at the secondary level.
Jinja Youth Project
This is a multi-faceted project promoting the voluntary spirit in Uganda . Foreign volunteers will work alongside Ugandan volunteers (youth aged 16 ? 27) in a variety of programs directly benefiting local communities, which will include the following activities:
Community Outreach
This includes home visits (often to the remotest villages in the district) to elderly, disabled, and persons living with HIV/AIDS to assist with household tasks such as washing, preparing food, and keeping company. This is a good opportunity for volunteers to see the daily challenges faced by marginalized groups in Uganda.
Youth Mentoring
Public speaking and mentoring of youth and youth leaders respecting HIV/AIDS awareness, public health/hygiene, family planning, condom use and distribution, creativity workshops promoting the generation of small business, the importance of basic education, and women's rights and empowerment. This is the most important and most common activity undertaken by volunteers. Camping, hiking, hunting and/or fishing trips may also take place during these mentoring sessions. Volunteers are asked to bring camping gear.
Although it is a youth group it reaches every member of the community it serves, and reaches the remotest areas of the district where there is virtually no other aid. This project is not exclusive to young volunteers, as older people with business skills and experiences are also needed, particularly with tasks like sorting out bookwork and applying for grants. Just as our partner organization?s members try to help all members of society in every way, it needs all types and ages of volunteers to help it function.
As none of the Jinja Youth projects are full-time, volunteers will take part in a flexible schedule, which includes some or all activities offered by the program. This project will be particularly appropriate for those volunteers with great ideas and enthusiasm for grass roots development. The exchange of ideas, experiences, and language is encouraged between Ugandan and foreign volunteers. This project requires physical labor and working in the sun. Volunteers are encouraged to bring protective clothing, gloves, and shoes.
All volunteers working in Jinja Town Municipal Council (up to 8 at one time) will be housed in shared accommodation in a large apartment in Jinja municipal town. There will be a house girl who will cook, clean, and wash clothes. The building is within a locked compound. The shower is indoors, and the latrine is detached but fully enclosed. There is no running water, but there is a water tank in the compound, and there are jerry cans for water storage. There is a cooker in the kitchen, so you will be able to boil drinking water and do some cooking on your own if you wish. You will be provided with 3 meals per day. Meals will consist of local foods, such as matooke (mashed plantain), posho (corn bread), potatoes, and rice. They are generally served with beef, chicken, fish, beans, or groundnut sauce. Bread, eggs and fruits are also available for breakfast.
Program Location
The program is based in the Jinja District which is 20 miles out of Kampala. Volunteers are placed in Jinja and its surrounding villages.
Program Requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older and have no major health problems.
Program Schedule
Volunteers can stay from a period of one month to six months. Your stay can be extended beyond six months on a case-by-case basis (depending upon our partners? requirements). You can start your placement on the 1st or 15th of each month.
School terms vary from year to year but are approximately as follows: Feb 1 to April 30, May 20 to August 30, Sept 15 to November 30. Volunteers are not typically placed in teaching projects outside of these times. Please also note that exams take place at the end of each term and normal class schedules will end prior to that. Short term volunteers are advised to start earlier in the term.
Your Program Benefits
When you choose to volunteer with GIDCCO in Uganda, you will receive the following benefits which are included in your program fee.
Living and placement requirements such as meals, accommodation, training and supervision.
Your Support Fee which enables us to ensure you have a quality placement, accurate information and 24hr/7day support.
Your support for the Capacity Building Fund which will help our partners grow their organizations, find sustainable solutions, and help them achieve their goals.
Emergency Line gives you access to a 24hr/7 day emergency line that will provide you with help and support no matter where you are in the world.
Access to your own Online Journal which helps you to communicate effectively and easily with your family and friends back home.
Letter of Completion - you will receive an official letter from GIDCCO outlining your volunteer placement for your resume/CV.
Program Cost
A $100 (USD) deposit will secure your place on the program. The remainder of your fee is due for payment in full eight weeks before you begin your placement.
The Uganda program is available from 1 month to 6 months. Once your deposit is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the program is:
1 month - $300 USD
3 months - $900 USD
6 weeks ? $450 USD
4 months - $1200 USD
2 months - $600 USD
5 months - $1500 USD
10 weeks - $750 USD
6 months - US $1800 USD
The in-country fee covers administrative charge, project donation, airport pickup, transport to project, meals and accommodation during placement, and supervision. You will need a weekly budget of approximately $25 USD to cater for all your other expenses like bottled water, personal costs, beverages and entertainment. The other costs you will need to meet are your flights, visa, shots, travel insurance, and departure tax.
Apply for the Uganda Program
Your application process is free and seamless and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of payment options that include a secure service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Process
All applicants will be notified by mail as to whether their application has been successful.
(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application on this website. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program. As soon as all recommendations are received and your application reviewed, we will notify you. Completed applications can be processed very quickly.
(2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.
(3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, you will need to submit your $100 USD deposit to secure your place on the program.
(4) Confirmation: Once the deposit is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more.
(5) Communication & Support: Throughout the application process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.
(6) Where is Uganda located?
Uganda is an East African country.
For more information about volunteering with GIDCCO Organization in Uganda, send us an email at: gidcco@yahoo.co.uk. We will gladly answer any questions you may have.
