UPA also tends to place volunteers in some of its branches so that members in these also benefit from the volunteer programme. This is to begin with
five branches of the organization out of the 10 that are established.
Central branch
Background
Central branch is the first local branch established in 1996 by the founders of UPA and a group of young volunteers within Nansana,
Wakiso District. Central branch has been instrumental in the development of UPA and other local branches. Central Branch conducts their meetings in the
Library on the premises of UPA national office.
Aim
Central branch advertises for a volunteer that will work hand in hand with the project co-coordinators and peer educators in order
to strengthen the present programme and initiate new activities. The MTV is expected to work 2+ days a week with Central Branch. It is possible to combine
Central Branch with another placement. Central Branch is liaising with a number of interesting institutions like TASO, AIDS Information centre, local
health clinics, schools etc. that could serve as a second placement.
Activities
The main activity of Central Branch is Nansana Youth Health and Information Programme. The programme aims to increase awareness on
issues of adolescent sexual health and reproductive health through counseling and accessibility to accurate information. Approximately, 10 volunteers from
Central Branch and a number of peer educators are presently running the programme.
Volunteer task
- Creating a resource centre for the youth to access information on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, STDs, HIV/AIDS, prevention and care.
- Organizing seminars, workshops, sports galas and reach out activities.
- Peer education, outreaches and school visits.
- Form youth clubs in schools to aid the continuation of activities.
- New and experienced peer educators will be trained the beginning of July 2008, followed by outreaches to schools and activities for out of school youth.
- Support the co-ordinators of the project
- Conduct outreaches with peer educators
- Profile the project in the district and identify new partners
- Identify ways of fundraising
Volunteer qualities
Preferable, the MTV has brief knowledge on Peer Education (youth to youth methodologies) and/or other related information activities. The MTV must
be able to motivate other volunteers and to a certain degree and work independently.
Rating
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Low |
Medium |
High |
Educational
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Practical
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Room for new initiatives
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Emotionally challenging
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Work load
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| X
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Rating by MTVs
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| X
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Working hours
4 days a week (Saturdays included).
Transport
By foot since the office and the guest house are adjacent to each other.
Accomodation
UPA Guesthouse in Nansana.
Comments from UPA
Central Branch has been expanding its activities and now has a building almost complete thanks to the past volunteers who have helped
the members fundraise towards its construction. It is a good placement for volunteers that want to engage in campaigns towards creating awareness
towards young people about the problem of HIV/ATDS
Communication
The mode of communication is English both in meetings and the outreaches in schools
Past Volunteers
From Netherlands.