Uganda Rural Community Support Foundation

Introducción

Uganda Rural Community Support Foundation (URCSF) works in partnership with the Uganda Rural Fund USA, Inc (URF|USA), a U.S based 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. Both URF|USA and URCSF were founded in 2005.

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 in the rural region of Masaka—along what is known as the “AIDS Highway.”

The children we serve have no parents and no homes. Without our help, they have little hope of receiving a proper education and proper nutrition. We provide them with human dignity and peace. By themselves, these children cannot break the cycle of poverty. .

Director de Proyecto

Peter Francis Luswata is the Project Director. Peter was born and raised in the area where our projects are implemented. He has a passion for helping children because he sees the potential in building his community through educating the younger generation. Peter studied both in Uganda, Eritrea, and the U.S.A. He is an experienced communicator and leader in working with international volunteers.

The volunteer coordinator for this project is John Mary Lugemwa, OSB. He is also a native of Uganda, but currently lives in the United States. John Mary has experience directing international volunteer programs for groups of college students groups as well as individuals from the U.S. He is currently a student St. John’s university in Minnesota.

Más Sobre Nuestro Trabajo:

URF|USA & URCSF operate various development and educational project among which include:

* Nazareth Children’s Home: An orphanage that is a home to children who lost parents to HIV/AIDS. Children receive shelter, health care, and education.
* Hope Integrated Academy: (under construction): A vocational and elementary school for orphans. Vocational skills will include: carpentry/wood working; computer skills; tailoring; agriculture; mechanics; metal works; shoe making; arts & crafts; catering and nutrition; electronics, etc.

* Community Library & Computer Center: Currently, the community has no public library or computer center.
* Health Center: This is proposed as a school clinic but will be expanded to serve as a community health center as resources become readily available.
* Orphan Sponsorship Program: We invite individuals to support our education program by sponsoring orphaned children. It costs $250 a year to keep a child in school.
* HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention
* Women empowerment programs involving micro enterprise projects to promote self-sustenance among households.
* Brick masonry/Brick Laying Project: Youth make bricks to support themselves and sometimes the bricks are donated to poor residents to build homes.
* Art & Craft and Tailoring: Income generating activities at the Children’s Home. Kids learn skills and at the same time make some money to buy school supplies.
* Poultry and Cattle Keeping: For income generating and providing good nutrition to the children.
* Passion fruit gardening: We have an acre of trees now planted.

¿A quién necesitamos?

We need volunteers who are committed and have a strong desire and passion to help others. However, we urgently need individuals with experience in the following fields:

* Teachers for both elementary and vocational school (classes are taught in English)
* Doctors, nurses, pre-med and nursing students
* Social work
* Administrator
* HIV/AIDS educators
* Individuals with fundraising experience or with willingness to take on this challenge
* Grant writers
*IT and library skills to help set up the computer center and the community library.

Tu trabajo

Activities range from gardening to administrative work. Volunteers should prepare to assist with one or more of the following:
* Teaching kids in elementary/primary school or in the vocational school.
* Helping students with homework i.e. tutoring
* Work with students on extracurricular activities
* Administration work in our offices
* Preparing progress reports for children who have sponsors
* Fundraising activities
* Gardening and feeding livestock
* General housekeeping work at the orphanage and school
* Presenting workshops on community development or AIDS awareness and education.

In most cases, volunteers will work with a team of dedicated local volunteers. We believe in team work and building relationships with the local community.

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.

Costes por Alojamiento y Manuteención:

Our volunteers are placed with host families which gives them an opportunity to experience the culture of the local people.

You can view pictures of one of the families that hosts volunteers . Some households have electricity and others don’t. The homes where volunteers are placed provide a homely and safe environment. The volunteers share in the life of the family and build relationships with family members, co-workers, and local people in the villages.

As this is a very new project on our site, we currently do not have any experiences from volunteers. You can read more about volunteering at this project however at www.ugandaruralcommunitysupport.org