Project title:           A sanitation project

Date:                      November 23rd 2009

Duration:                4 Weeks

Project code:         STNU/001/01

Project Host:          Serve The Needy-Uganda (STNU) Kampala Branch

Project Theme:     “Better Sanitation for Better Health’’

Project Location:   Lufula Zone Bwaise II, Kawempe Division- Kampala District

Project Objectives

·         To improve the sanitation living conditions of OVC’s families in Kawempe.

·         To reduce vulnerability of OVC’s from contracting preventable diseases as a result of poor sanitation.

·         To promote primary health care in homes of OVCs.

·         To empower the communities with knowledge on personal hygiene and measurable sanitation skills

·         To provide better tools for waste management and garbage

Activities

The project activities include but not limited to;

·         Cleaning of water sources and channels

·         Construction of sanitary requirements in schools and the community e.g. Rubbish pits, utensil, stands,

·         Bathrooms (for families of old people taking care of OVCs).

·         Cleaning of trade centers.

·         Planting trees, grass/flowers in homes and schools

·         Community mobilization and sensitization on sanitation.

Cultural and educational visits

During the work camp participants will visit the Bahai temple, Uganda national museum, Kasubi tombs, Kabaka’s (King’s) lake .This is a cultural heritage where the Baganda kings are buried, the biggest tribe in Uganda.

o        Visits to families of people living with HIV/AID’s.

o        Schools of Ophans and vulnerable children due to HIV/AID’s

o        Visits trade centres and markets.

o        Visit to vision football soccer academy and vision excite drama club for entertainment and competition among others between international and local volunteers.

This may also require the participants to come along with their kits/ requirements to be used like costumes [jazzies], truck shoots, converse shoes, soccer/running boots, head scaffs etc

Note:

This camp is also in a location where there is the possibility of visiting Bird viewing in Makerere university, Entebbe wild life centre and Botanical beach gardens all found in a radius of not more than 40 kilometers from the campsite but at the cost of interested volunteers.

A cultural night will be organized and participants will be expected to display items, songs and dances from there home countries and traditions. Please carry along anything that will introduce your culture and make this day enjoyable.

Expected outcome    

It is expected after the work camp:

o        5-7 water sources cleaned

o        10 community rubbish pits dug

o        Bwaise trading centers cleaned

o        20 drying rocks and bathrooms built

o        200 residents sensitized on sanitation issues.

Beneficiaries

·         Families of people affected and living with HIV/AID’s

·         Old/elderly people caring for OVCs in Kawempe Division

·         Widows and widowers in Kawempe division

·         Street and market venders in Bwaise trading centre

Participation

The project expects 15 participants maximum with a composition of people from other regions of Uganda and international volunteers. Participants will work 6 hours daily from Monday to Friday.

Who qualifies to participate

·         Volunteers with open minds, positive attitudes, and warm hearts ready to interact with other people of different cultural backgrounds.

·         Willing to take up various tasks from sanitation activities to playing games and willing to share his /her experiences cultures among other participants.

·         Desire to help people living with HIV/AID’s, orphans, vulnerable children, youth, girls, elderly men and women, families etc

·         Flexible and with the ability to accept and adapt to living in simple conditions, taste of other foods (local)

·         Ready to do heavy manual work on the project

The Host community

The people found in the central Uganda are multi tribal with majority population being Baganda. And the major language spoken is Luganda with also a big percentage of people speaking English well. Like most regions in Uganda, people in this community are welcoming always interested to talk and work with people from other cultural backgrounds. Volunteers on this project will have an opportunity to interact with STNU volunteers and members of Kawempe community.

Accommodation

·         Accommodation will be in a house offered by the community.

·         Participants will be required to carry own sleeping bags and mats.

·         The participants will make own temporary bathroom but no showers.

·         Participants will make own simple cooking shelter (kitchen)

·         Participants are requested to bring with them mosquito nets, working clothes, gloves, gum boots and shoes.

·         If any games, information/pictures from home country bring them

Meals

There are several local foods to choose from e.g. matooke, cassava, sweet potatoes, yams, pumpkin and also rice, spaghetti, meat, fish, groundnuts, beans, peas and different types of green vegetables.

Uganda has a variety of fresh fruits that can be easily bought from local markets, e.g. mangoes, sweet bananas, water melon, pineapples etc

Participants will choose food to prepare depending on the availability

Health Services

Bwaise is slum area in Kawempe division situated in Kampala district with several partner medical clinics, pharmacies, health centers and the biggest national-Mulago hospital is situated in a radius of 6 kilometers

Water Sources

Participants shall be required to collect water from taps near the camp

Climate/weather

December is usually dry. The weather warm and humid with warm temperatures usually ranging between 25-30 degrees centigrade on average the possibility of having temperatures higher than that is also possible.

What to bring

Sleeping bags, mats, mosquito nets, working clothes, gloves and boots