URGENT Funding Required for Completion of the Volunteer Centre

At present, KACCAD rents three apartments within a compound in Kikaaya village, next to Bulenga, which is about 14km from Kampala. Nicholas, Sam, Joanna and our volunteers live in one apartment. The second hosts Caleb and the office. Derrick and his family live in the third.

Unfortunately, we do not have our own classroom, and in the past have rented classrooms and halls for HIV/AIDS sensitization events and other training programs. On occasion, we have also taught community classes in the yard of the compound, but rain would often necessitate cancellations, and the sun would make teaching and learning a challenge. Otherwise, we are limited to teaching in schools that are able to provide classroom facilities.

As Kampala expands, higher rents push businesses and people out to the villages, thus also increasing land values and living costs in surrounding areas. Our landlord is continuously increasing our rent, inhibiting our ability to finance projects. KACCAD owns a piece of land in Kikaaya where we have started building a volunteer centre, with plans for volunteer accommodation, an office, and classroom space. Unfortunately, funding dried up prior to completion of the roof. This means that the completed parts of the building risk damage from the elements, particularly rain.

The most recent increases in our rent have been crippling and, from June 2009, KACCAD will need to find a new apartment to rent. This will be temporary accommodation until the new volunteer centre is completed.

Completion of the roof - $8,000

Completion of the centre (ceiling, wood and metal frames, inside plaster and concrete, plumbing, tiles, paint, some basic landscaping and some very basic kitchen and office shelving and cabinets) - $30,000

Total to complete the centre - $38,000

Piggery and chicken Project

In partnership with Equitop Farm, and Gerrit and Ute Brinkmann of Canada KACCAD is in the preliminary stages of reconstructing our pig and chicken farm. The farm will be a demonstration farm used for training. On this basis and through donations of piglets we breed, eventually we hope to train and assist 25 people per year to start their own income-generating farms.

Six months after the completion of construction, the project should begin to bring in a small income, which will cover the first year’s operation costs. By the end of the first year, KACCAD will start animal rearing training, an animal rotation scheme, and will have a dependable source of income.

Rotating:
Identified at-risk community members will be given the opportunity to form groups of 5 – 10 people to share responsibilities and profits. They will begin a 3-month training programme, including technical courses and an internship of 2 hours per week. Once training is complete and members can meet housing and food requirements, we will give each group 10 birds or two piglets per member.

Three years into the project, KACCAD will have the means to offer some groups loans for developing bird or chicken housing. Groups receiving this assistance will pay back their loans in cash or animals. To support continued rotation, after one year the groups not receiving loans will also give back to the project the same number of animals that they received as start-up.

Previous Chicken Projects:
KACCAD organised a group of eight people, six women and two men, and bought 350 chickens. Unfortunately, one of the men died and the other stole about 100 birds. The women, through fear of further theft began to lose interest. Eventually the group decided to sell the remaining chickens. This revenue was divided among the women. Each then started their own businesses of interest.

Another family, through the same donors received 250 chickens. The revenue from eggs continues to cover the family’s school fees.

Child Sponsorship

There is no free schooling in Uganda. Schools frequently send children home if their fees are not up-to-date, and mothers struggle to make sure they have enough money to pay. Some take out loans, which are incredibly difficult to pay back.

We coordinate a child sponsorship program. Some donors sponsor only school fees, others cover school materials, and some cover both.

School Fees (See KACCAD's website for more accurate info)

• Primary Day 70,000 – 350,000 UGX / $50 – 200
• Primary Boarding 300,000 – 450,000 UGX / $150 – 250
• Secondary Day 76,000 – 250,000 UGX / $50 – 150
• Secondary Boarding 380,000 – 600,000 UGX / $200 – 300
• University 1,000,000 UGX / $550
  

School Requirements Per Term

• Ream of paper (Most schools require each student to bring one ream per term to contribute toward school supplies) 10,000 UGX
• 2 x Toilet paper for Day students 700 UGX
• 4 x Toiler paper for Boarding students 1,400 UGX
• 2 x Brooms (to sweep out the classrooms) 500 UGX
• 12 x Black books for Secondary 24,000 - 36,000
• 5 x Black Books for Primary 10,000 - 15,000 UGX (These are durable A4 lined hard back exercise books)
• 1 x Drawing book 2,000 UGX
  Total Per Term 25,000 – 50,000 UGX / US$15 – 30
  

Other Requirements:

• Uniform with sweater approx. 45,000 UGX
• Uniform without sweater approx. 30,000 UGX (Prices vary at each school US$20 – 50)
• Text Books 10,000 – 50,000 each / US$5 – 25 per year
  

Additional Boarding School Requirements Per Term

• 2 x soap for bathing 6,000 UGX per term
• 4 x soap for laundry 8,800 UGX per term
• Shoe polish From 2,000 UGX per term
• Toothbrush and paste From 2,000 UGX per term
• 4kg sugar per term 8,000 UGX per term
  Total Per Term From 26,800 UGX Between US$15 – 20
  

Other Additional Boarding School Requirements

• 2 x Bed sheets From 20,000 UGX each / From US$10
• Blanket From 70,000 UGX each / From US$40
• Pillow 5,000 UGX / US$3
• Mattress Child size 50,000 UGX / US$30; Adult size 100,000 UGX / US$60
• Mosquito net 7,000 UGX untreated / US$4; 25,000 UGX treated / US$10 – 15
• Some schools require a bed From 100,000UGX / From US$50
• Basin 5,000 UGX / US$3
• Jerry can 6,000 UGX / US$3 – 4
• Suitcase From 100,000 UGX / From US$50
  Total = Anything upto US$250
  

Other School Materials

• Long Ruler ≈ 500 UGX each / 50c
• Metrics Set 5,000 UGX for the cheapest / From US$3
• Standard Calculator 5,000 – 10,000 UGX / US$3 – 6
• Scientific Calculator 20,000 – 25,000 UGX / US$10 – 15
• Pens & pencils ≈ 1,000 UGX per term / ≈ 50c
• Dictionary 12,000 – 30,000 UGX / US$6 – 20
  Total = Anything upto US$50

Water Projects

Work to date:
From 2007-2008 KACCAD installed 21 spring wells throughout the Wakiso sub-county, displaying its commitment to, and competence in, water supply development.

The Need:
International SPHERE standards state that a person must live within 1.5 km of an improved or protected water source to classify as having access to clean water. In the KACCAD-served sub-counties of Nsangi (population 72,414) and Namayumba (population 26,250) approximately half the population does not have access to clean water. [2002 census]

Our Assignment:
Under the direction of the Wakiso District government, KACCAD has prioritized 42 communities in these sub-counties for spring well and hand-dug well development projects. Due to natural resources, Nsangi is suitable for spring wells, while hand-dug wells are more suited to Namayumba. The prioritised communities in Nsangi are in the Nasangi, Kyengera, Katereke, Buddo, Nabbingo, Kasenge, Kitemu, and Kikajjo parishes. In Namayumba, they are in the Bembe, Kyanuuna, Bukondo, Kyasa and Lutisi parishes. Each identified community consists of 500 to 800 households on average. Assuming an average family size of six people, each well could serve approximately 3,000 people.

Our philosophy and the importance of community mobilization:
If the community provides a portion of the human and economic resources for a project, the local people can gain a sense of ownership. Without this ownership, there is little community involvement in well maintenance and there is the danger of perpetuating a “hand-out” culture.
Requiring community input requires a community to understand the benefits of a project. Community members may not yet connect sickness to the water source and may therefore require further sensitisation/education.

Mobilising communities to contribute financially toward their wells also increases the number of communities we are able to help.

We do not support building bore wells since they are expensive and require minimal involvement from the community, resulting in minimal ownership.

Examples of maintenance which may be required:

• Vandalism - Barbed wire and poles used to protect the water source of the spring wells are often stolen
• Stops broken - Overflow and back-flow can break the walls of the spring water well outlet
• Hand-pumps - The handles and head of the hand pumps on hand-dug wells can break
• Pipes - Pipes can rust
  

Approximate Costs (USD):

• Spring well - $1,750
• Hand-dug well - $2,370
• Training a Water Committee - $90
• Well Maintenance $50 - $100 per year

Home Visit Program

The Home Visit Program:
Every week, KACCAD visits vulnerable families living on the margins of society. Volunteers accompany Sam and/or Nicholas to talk to the families about their current situation, looking for ways in which KACCAD can help. Generally, these families consist of HIV+ parents, many of whom are widowed; or orphaned siblings looked after by the eldest sibling. The program is located in Ssumbwe, which is a 30-minute walk from the KACCAD compound. Depending on resources, the volunteers bring food and other resources to help the families. These resources dry up fast. When there are no donations available, volunteers will focus more on an educational program. Malaria prevention, safe food preparation, water treatment, balanced diet and covering pit latrines are key elements of this educational program.

Costs:
If you donate toward our Home Visit program, we will use the money to give families the following items:

• Pit latrine cover (wood, handle and nails) [Sanitation: prevents flies entering pit and later settling on food] 5,000 UGX / $2.50
• Tippy Tap (jerry can, rope and a few pieces of wood) [Economical storage of water to wash hands] 6,500 UGX / $3.25
• Small metal tank with tap [Stores treated water (more durable than tippy tap)] 25,000 UGX / $12.50
• Rice, maize flour and beans [Basic nutrition] $40 – 45 per month feeds an average size family
• Live chickens [Chickens offer a sustainable source of proteins and fats. Protein is extremely important to those fighting HIV/AIDS, as it helps to maintain strength and bodyweight] Each chicken costs 10,000 UGX to purchase and approx. 1,000 UGX per chicken per week to feed [$5 per chicken / 50c per week to feed]
• Mattress Child 50,000 UGX; Adult 70,000 UGX / $25 - $35
• Blankets From 50,000 UGX (bulk buy price)
• Sheets From 20,000 UGX
• Pillow 5,000 UGX
• Treated Mosquito Net [Malaria prevention] 7,000 UGX (bulk buy price)
• Sack garden (plants, fertilizers, training, tools) – (implemented through our Afro-concept partnership) [Nutrition - These sack gardens can easily be placed outside an apartment, family does not need to own land] US$ 35 per family
• New mother package (vitamins, formula, cloth diapers, petroleum jelly, wash basin and towel) [HIV+ mothers can prevent infecting their babies by using formula instead of breast milk] US$ 90
  

Condoms When appropriate, we also bring condoms. However, this has been the subject of considerable discussion, as it has raised some problems in the past. Polygamy is widely practiced in Uganda. A husband may divide his time between several wives (and/or mistresses).This increases the risk of spreading HIV. When we visit the families, often only the wife is present. Despite making numerous appointments, the husband can remain unavailable. If we give condoms to the wife without the husband present, we risk putting the wife in a very difficult and potentially dangerous position, as some men may see this as a sign of infidelity on the part of the woman. Some husbands may be aware of their own HIV status but publicly deny it, preferring to seek treatment secretly, and refusing to use condoms. They may also use religious reasons as an excuse. Thus, it is important that, where we can, we work with both husband and wife. When this is not possible, we make sure to consider the wife’s safety in all the advice and donations offered.

Sun Water Caleb has researched many water treatment methods. The most economical method available in Uganda for home use is the Sun Water System. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_water_disinfection

To create Sun Water: ¾ fill a transparent bottle with water. It is best to filter the water into the bottle with a piece of cloth. Shake the bottle for 20 seconds to create small white oxygen bubbles. Fill the bottle to the top and shake again. Leave the bottle in the sun for 6 hours (2 days if the sky is cloudy). UV rays react with the oxygen bubbles to kill all the bugs and the water is ready to drink.

Unfortunately, we are unable to promote Sun Water during Home Visits until we have permission from the Wakiso District. However, we have been using Sun Water successfully within our own compound for several months. The key is to implement a good system to know how long each bottle has been in the sun. Once we have permission, we will start promoting Sun Water as an economical and safe way to treat water.

Orphanages:

Mercy Home
We have a partnership with Mercy Home in Kajjansi (orphanage and school). During school holidays and when we have funds, we are able to transport volunteers to the orphanage to teach.

Transport to teach at Mersy Home in Kajjansi (orphanage and school)

• Cost per week: US$36 [Transport cost covers: One volunteer and one counterpart (Sam or Nicholas) to travel by public transport to teach for 5 consecutive days]

Sanyu Babies Home
This is a new partnership and will function in a similar manner to the Mercy home partnership.

School Holiday Programs

Below are a few examples of ways we can put our volunteers to work during the school holidays:

Reading:
Few people in Uganda read regularly. Because of this, we would like to gather a library of children’s book, and set up a program for volunteers to read to children, encouraging imagination, creativity and enjoyment of reading. We would also like to have a collection of books at the volunteer centre which children would be able to come and read on their own.

Extra Tuition:
Many children struggle at school in a variety of subjects. In Uganda, maths seems to be one of the most common troublesome subjects. We would gratefully receive materials to help volunteers teach maths. Prior to the next school holidays, we would like to identify children who could benefit from extra tutoring from volunteers.

Sports:
Sports are a great way to have fun and be healthy. They help to encourage teamwork, communication, and self-discipline. Whenever we receive volunteers with particular knowledge and skills in sport, we encourage them to get local children together to participate in team games and fitness programs, particularly if these volunteers are present during holiday time.

Help us source materials:

• Reading books: $3 - $15 each if purchased here (2nd hand children’s books are not always easy to source... if you think you could send us a bulk quantity, contact us and we can work out transport options)
• Sports Equipment: We try to make do with whatever materials we have. Either funds to purchase more equipment here or sending equipment to us would be fantastic

School Projects

Rebuilding Schools:
KACCAD has set up a school library, and rebuilt the Step-by-Step Nursery and Primary School, in partnership with Foundation for Wings of Support.

When there is a school in dire need of reconstruction work, we are happy to help fundraise and organise the work done.

School Library (US$2,500):
Various donors have funded school libraries through KACCAD. With US$2,500, KACCAD is able to provide a school with a library of textbooks covering the Ugandan school curriculum.

So far we have provided the following schools with libraries

• Nicaragua Nursery and Primary School
• Genesis Nursery and Primary School
• Goldmax Primary and Secondary School
• Kikaaya College
• Step-by-Step Nursery and Primary School
  

Providing a Garden for Schools (US$100):
Collaborating with Afro-concept, we are able to build a garden in a school. The garden is a teaching tool, an educational activity for students, and a source of food for school meals. In time, students can also take cuttings home to create their own gardens.

School Garden - Approximated Total Cost: US$100
This cost covers:

• Clearing land
• Seeds
• Tools
• Nursery Bed

First Aid & Health Training Events

First Aid & Health Training Event
When funding is available, KACCAD runs First Aid and Health Training Events to train community members in First Aid and basic health concerns. We choose participants from different geographic locations to spread the benefit throughout a wider area.

Health and First Aid Training - Total Cost: US$270
This cost covers:

• Advertising
• Venue
• Transport - Including participant transport re-imbursements
• First Aid Box to be given to each participant (20 pax)

Immunisation Events: KACCAD does not coordinate immunisation events. They are usually government-funded. However, when they occur, KACCAD can take advantage of having large groups of at-risk people in one place, by sending volunteers and counsellors to train people on nutrition, sanitation and reproductive health while they wait for their immunisations.

HIV/AIDS Sensitisation

HIV/AIDS Teacher Training:
Last year, our Peace Corps volunteer Amanda set up a training program to teach local teachers how to educate their students about HIV/AIDS. The event cost US$250. While the event itself appeared to go very well and the feedback at the time was very positive, in following up with the teachers and schools involved we have found that the teachers are often not teaching classes in HIV/AIDS at all. This may be because the schools are not giving the teachers time to teach these classes, or because the teachers already have too much work with their standard classes. We are currently investigating how to move forward with these teachers and to improve the effectiveness of future programs.

HIV/AIDS Testing and Counselling Event (US$250):

When the funds are available, KACCAD can run an HIV/AIDS Testing and Counselling Event in partnership with AIC (AIDS Information Centre) and a local clinic in the target community. KACCAD finances and organises the event, AIC provides the testing and counselling, and the clinic provides the venue.

On the day of the event, AIC individually counsels community members prior to each test; tests each individual; and counsels him or her again when giving the results of the test. KACCAD takes advantage of having large numbers of at-risk people in one place by having volunteers and KACCAD employees give additional training and counselling about nutrition, sanitation and reproductive health to those waiting (particularly pregnant mothers).

When someone tests positive, and with that patient’s consent, AIC refers the patient to KACCAD who will then refer him or her to either Joint Research Centre or TASO, depending on where the patient lives. If the patient lives within KACCAD’s area, they may become part of our home visit program. Otherwise, we will refer them to an organisation closer to their home.

HIV/AIDS testing and counselling event - Total Cost: US$250
This cost covers:

• Advertising [printing & distribution of posters (by Boda boda); loud speaker]
• Testing
• AIC Counsellors’ allowance
• Transport Reimbursements to community members being tested, AIC counsellors and KACCAD employees/volunteers
• Venue
• Air Time [to communicate with leaders of communities targeted, venue managers and AIC]