What keeps us busy

 Our team is relatively small for a normal HELP International team because we are here for the winter semester. We have six volunteers plus Brad and I... and so far I am very satisfied as to where we are at with our projects. Each volunteer has been able to find a class, program, or project that utilizes their skill set and passions. Here is a brief list and summary of what we are doing for the next 60 days here.

Sanitation classes:  Marissa is leading up this project. She is going to be teaching sanitation classes to four schools surrounding Mbale. Along with these classes we are going to build one or two tippy taps (hand washing stations) next to the latrines of each school. 

Health and nutrition seminars: these classes will be taught right after Marissa’s lesson. Kate and Court will be teaching these together. 

Reusable Sanitary Pad program: I came to Uganda with intentions to start a program like this. We have been working alongside some Peace Corps volunteers and another NGO to develop a program and method. We have officially committed to four schools, and as of now will be starting the program on Monday… teaching to 150 girls. Along with lessons on the menstrual cycle, sex education, and birth control methods, we will be teaching and helping them make a reusable sanitary pad. Many girls don’t go to school during the week that they have their period. Either that or they are spending too much money to buy the supplies for it, or they are using other methods that bring infection and are not safe. This project should be really successful. All of the girls on our team will be teaching together. 

HIV/Aids testing days (2): Working with HASN (HIV/Aids support Network) to plan and carry out two days where the community of a slum called Namatala can come and see if they are HIV positive. 

HIV/Aids nutrition class + sack gardens for HASN support group: those that test positive can decide if they want to disclose that they are or not. They then have the option to join the support group to receive counseling and help. This support group is with the HASN organization. Kate has begun teaching nutrition classes there once a week. Along with these nutrition classes she is working on setting up a sack garden initiate for those involved in the support group to help them receive a more adequate diet with the medications they take because they are HIV positive. 

Midwife shadowing

CURE hospital shadowing

Art Classes: Ashton is a rockstart and is leading this up. She is learning three different methods of art from artists in town to teach a community how to make, and then sell them as products. At these classes she is also teaching empowerment lessons on creativity and being original. The first lesson was on Tuesday and went very well. 

Womens empowerment seminar: this will be a one day event on March 20^th. It’s meant to support, propel, and empower the people of one community after they have taken the family development classes by volunteer Courtney. 

Sport and community empowerment program: This is a huge program that Courtney is planning with St. Stephens. Team building activities along with lessons will be taught to each grade. At the final lesson we are going to have a big soccer tournament and invite the whole community to come out. At this event we are also going to invite those that we have been working with on small business ideas to come and try to sell their products. 

Business/English classes with CFA: taught once a week with a community entrepreneurship group

VSLA business development classes: Kenny is currently working with a group of village savings and loans community members. In this class he is teaching them about different business tactics and helping them start a business with the money they have been saving

VSLA business curriculum development : Kenny is doing this for a local NGO that we’re working with so that his above project can be sustainable and carried on once he leaves. 

CFA income generating project: trying to help CFA make the Zion Community Medical Clinic generate more income so that they can continue to operate. 

Prenatal classes & prenatal kit distribution: Doing these in two different communities. Headed by awesome volunteer Steph who wants to be a midwife. At the end of the classes each member will get a prenatal kit that we brought over from the states

Blood Bank at Budaka : currently figuring out a way to fix the blood bank at the Budaka medical clinic

Family Development classes with CFA: taught by volunteer Courtney and in congruenc with the women empowerment day in march

Miriam School Latrine: this is a school started by one women named Miriam. She has exhausted all of her funds and resources and needs helping finishing six latrines that were started by her a few months back and need to be completed to meet health requirements. The school currently only has one functioning latrines.

HIV/Aids awareness campaign: headed by Steph and in partner with HASN

Sewing Classes with CFA: headed by Marissa and done with CFA who has recently acquired a sewing machine