Volunteer
Opportunity description
Information
Uganda Youth and Women’s Effort
Fighting AIDS (UYWEFA) is a grassroots organization that supports people living
with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The long-term objective is to ensure people
affected by HIV/AIDS in the community have access to healthcare and education
opportunities in order to be able to provide for their and their family’s
needs. UYWEFA serves the community of Kazo, approximately 20 kilometers outside
of Kampala, Uganda.
Timeline. Open
Requirements
- Minimal time commitment is 3 months
- Interns will be responsible for covering all their costs
(flights, accommodation etc.)
Applicants must:
- Provide a C.V./resume, 2 references, and a cover letter
detailing their motivation for joining a grass roots organization in
Africa (apply to jakeblanco@me.com) - Be enrolled in and attending a University full time
- Have no major health problems
- Have no criminal record
- Bring self motivation, patience, open minded attitude
and respect for local culture, traditions and dress code
Youth Worker
Youth in Kazo face many
challenges as they grow up in a community with high HIV prevalence, low
socio-economic level and few jobs or economic opportunities. With the high cost
of education and the relatively poor level of education dropping out of school
before completion is very common. With few job opportunities available youth
find themselves with time to fill and little potential to utilize it
productively. Drugs and crime become dangerous temptations to youth in the
community. UYWEFA provides education and awareness about the sexual and
reproductive health and the dangers of drugs and crime. UYWEFA also offers
activities to engage the youth in making a contribution to their community and
develop skills for future success.
UYWEFA works with organizations
in Uganda, including Straight Talk Uganda, to provide education and awareness
training, working to educate youth on the need to make healthy choices.
Furthermore, UYWEFA organises different activities for the youth to participate
in, including Dance, Drama, Photography and Film-making.
Responsibilities
- Develop seminars and awareness-raising activities to be
held both locally at the UYWEFA centre and also at local high schools in
order to increase the sexual awareness of youth in the community of Kazo - Oversee and implement activities particularly Dance,
Music, Drama, Photography/Film-making, or other depending on intern’s area
of interest/skill. - Explore other opportunities for young people in the area
e.g. through building contacts with potential partners, seeking funding,
etc.
Qualities
- Some experience in working with young people (mid-teens
to early 20s) - Comfortable talking about sexual health / AIDS issues
- Creative, adaptable, and able to come up with ideas on
own initiative - Preferably skills in either dance, music, drama or
photography/film
How to apply
Provide a C.V./resume, 2
references, and a cover letter detailing their motivation for joining a grass
roots organization in Africa (apply tojakeblanco@me.com)
