Community Transformation Foundation Network (COTFONE)
Background
COTFONE is a Community Based Charitable Organisation founded in 2003 by community members of Kiboobi village to address the alarming
poverty situation and the need to care for vulnerable children and orphans. Provoked by the frequent immigration of youths to towns for better living
standards and employment opportunities, lack of social capital and unending HIV/AIDS cases and orphans, Kayinga Muddu Yisito spearheaded the mobilization
of community members into this initiative.
COTFONE is committed to advocating for the underprivileged children and community. Located 158km from Kampala in Kisekka Sub- County, Bukoto South
County - Masaka District. (125Km Kampala - Masaka and 33km on Masaka- Kiwangala road). COTFONE currently operates in only Masaka District but intends to
extend to other parts of the Country in future. It operates offices and the COTFONE CHILDREN'S CENTRE for orphans at Kiboobi Village just 0.25 Km from
Kyanukuza Catholic Parish along Kiwangala- Kalisizo road in Kiwangala Trading Centre.
Aim
To empower community members with capacity to develop women, youth and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS through providing
them with basic education, health support and initiating income generating projects.
Activities
- Care and education for orphans and vulnerable children
- Home visits to HIV/AIDS affected families
- Orphans and vulnerable children sponsorship
- Distribution of Malaria drugs and Mosquito nets
- Reach out programmes
Volunteer task
- Assist during Malaria drugs and Mosquito Nets distribution.
- Office work related to Organisation development and programming
- Taking care of children at the orphan school
- Join in home visits to orphans families
- Assist in documentation and communication at COTFONE office in Kiboobi
- Social Support to orphans through games and sports
- Office/clerical work in COTFONE office or Orphans Centre.
Volunteer qualities
- Emotionally strong. The volunteer will experience people living in absolute poverty and vulnerable children both positive and negative which can
be emotionally challenging.
- Patient and prepared to adjust to rural environment.
- Command of good communication skills
- Ability to work with children
Rating
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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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Rating by MTVs
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Working hours
TCOTFONE office hours are from 8.00 to 16.30. Home visits and outreach programmes on distributing malaria drugs and mosquito nets may
take long hours walking distances in the interior from home to home. Volunteers can work at COTFONE for 5 days a week.
Transport
COTFONE is located, about 158kms from Kampala. Transport is by mini bus from Kampala.
Accomodation
COTFONE will provide accommodation for the volunteer with either a family or in COTFONE guest rooms in Kiboobi village. For
accommodation with COTFONE guest room, a volunteer should expect electricity which might not be the case in families.
Comments from UPA
COTFONE can be both provoking and challenging placement because it has real touch to a community in need. Volunteers will get the
opportunity to interact with children in their real situations both at home and school. Through the outreaches volunteers will too be introduced to the
average living conditions of the local people with an opportunity of experiencing the cultural contexts they live in. COTFONE is a growing institution where volunteers eager to introduce new initiatives will be much welcome.
Communication
Communication with COTFONE members and staff is easy as most are educated. Not all orphans and families speak good English.
Past Volunteers
From Japan.