Uganda: Youth Empowerment Program

Although Uganda is facing a severe AIDS epidemic, it is one of the few African countries where HIV prevalence rates have declined (from 15% in the early 1990s to 5% in 2001), largely due to a successful public health campaign. SPW’s goal is to help enable communities to continue this positive trend.

Volunteers are…



• Based in remote rural areas around Mbale, Sironko, Jinja and Kamuli
• Placed in mixed-nationality teams
• Not likely to have electricity or running water

Volunteers will be…



• Demonstrating and promoting the use of sustainable organic agricultural techniques
• Conducting environmental education in schools using non-formal education
• Raising awareness of environment-related health concerns such as sanitation, hygiene, nutrition, waste management and more
• Demonstrating energy conservation techniques (e.g. how to construct fuel-efficient stoves, tree nurseries)

Case Study




“In Kebager village, the water source (3 natural springs) was polluted. Community leaders brought this problem to us, the SPW volunteers. Together, we made the decision to protect the water by constructing a simple covered tank with water accessed through a tapped pipe. The community donated locally available materials, and villagers with the necessary expertise, provided the labor. We were able to act as a catalyst, encouraging the community to recognize the problem they were facing and resolve it themselves.” ~CRP Volunteer

Staff Support (HEP & CRP):



• 2 offices - Jinja (main) and Mbale (field)
• Placements are within 2-3 hours’ drive of either the main or field office
• Two official visits to each placement group

Country Information




Background: Uganda is a country of outstanding natural beauty with a varied landscape, ranging from the lush and fertile shores of Lake Victoria in the South to the beautiful mountainous regions of the east and southwest. Kampala is the capital; Jinja and Mbale are the two largest towns. Placements vary from the lush green plains of Jinja and Kamuli District to the rolling foothills of Mount Elgon in Sironko districts.

Language: Official language is English, but most people speak Luganda

Religion: Christianity and Islam

Food:



• Staple - maize meal or ugali, a thick porridge that sets hard and is then served in flat bricks
• Meat - normally beef, goat or mutton eaten with ugali and sauce
• Vegetarianism - accepted easily; substitute the meat for beans
• Other - mkate mayai or “bread eggs” - consists of wheat pancakes filled with minced meat and egg, which are folded and fried on a hotplate. Pombe is a locally fermented banana beer, and waragi is a traditional millet-based alcohol - both are very strong!