A-Z VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME 2009 - REVIEW
In July and August 2009, A-Z sent 41 Irish volunteers to work on various placements in Uganda. This year’s programme was a great success and we are hugely appreciative to the volunteers for all their efforts and their many accomplishments.
A fantastic total of €120,000 was raised by this year’s volunteers, demonstrating that even in this challenging economic climate there is so much goodwill and generosity out there, and it is still achievable for individuals to far exceed fundraising targets.
The volunteers saw firsthand how their fundraising money is being spent in Uganda, having the opportunity to work at A-Z’s HIV Community Healthcare project, Kasengejje Community Centre, A-Z Children’s Outreach Library and youth peer-education workshops.
House built by A-Z nurses and general skills volunteers in Mende, July 2009
The teacher volunteers worked in Ugandan primary schools, teaching English, Science, Art, PE and Music. They succeeded in captivating the pupils with a lively, interactive teaching style that is rarely found in Ugandan schools. Furthermore, they were able to share ideas with the Ugandan teaching staff and delivered highly informative workshops on topics such as ‘Positive reinforcement in the classroom’.
Lisa teaching 5th year primary students at Jet Valley School, August 2009
Paddy and Madam Jessica teaching Senior Infants PE at Little Diamonds School, Nansana, August 2009
In A-Z’s partner health centres, the volunteer nurses rose to the challenge of working in such under-resourced conditions and they did so with enthusiasm, resilience and vast compassion for the patients. They improved organisation and safety in the child vaccination clinics and their influence has really rubbed off on the local staff who said they missed the volunteers as soon as they returned to Ireland.
Delia working at the immunisation clinic in Kasambya, July 2009
Sister Zam, Cian and Maggie at Nansana Health Centre
The general skills volunteers, in particular, did great work at the A-Z dedicated Children’s Library. They made the playground area far more child-friendly by painting the place beautifully, putting up soccer goal posts, building a sand-pit and repairing the perimeter fence amongst other things. The time spent with the children, reading in small groups was so beneficial for their academic development, because most Ugandan primary schools do not have a reading culture or even any books. The children’s delight and appreciation for the time the volunteers spent reading and playing with them was obvious from the huge smiles on their little faces.
Peter and Colm at the A-Z Children’s Library football ground, July 2009
Volunteer Coordinator, Miriam, reading with a group of 3rd year Primary students
Caragh, Bashiel and Peter building a sand-pit at the A-Z play area, July 2009
There is so much to gain through cultural interchange, and both the Irish volunteers and the Ugandan hosts, were enriched by the experience of making new friends and getting an insight into life in a totally different country. One of our A-Z Ugandan staff members commented in an evaluation meeting:
“I like working alongside them because they were cooperative in all fields and I have memorable moments with the Irish volunteers – hence I am yearning to see more of them next year too.”
Mairead at Kassengejje Post-test Club, welcome party for A-Z volunteers, Aug 09
If you would like to find out more about volunteering in Uganda for A-Z Children’s Charity, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Miriam Lewis:
miriam@azkids.ie
01 5424178
087 6445617
