http://www.freewebs.com/avn-ug

Africa Volunteers Network (AVN) is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2005 as a liaison for non-profit and self-supporting volunteers looking to work directly with grassroots organizations and programs with a variety of directives.  It is open to both national and international volunteers

We focus on enabling people to experience life in African developing countries and to raise funds for the host projects volunteers work on. Currently AVN sends volunteers to Kenya and Uganda however; there is room for new openings.

Projects are practical hands-on work, such as building school classrooms, working with orphaned children, teaching or helping the development of a local initiative. Here is an outline of how the volunteer program works. If, after reading this, you have any questions, please contact us at info@av-network.org

Training and Support

Once you have been accepted for placement, you'll receive advice and support throughout your preparations. You'll receive the AVN welcome pack. Closer to departure you'll need specific information on health, vaccinations, visas, kit, insurance, flights, language etc.

You'll be supported by the AVN Information officer during your preparations. In addition, we can put you in contact with a returned volunteer who can answer any questions you may have

Program Fees

AVN asks you to pay a program fee one month before departure. A detailed breakdown for the money you pay goes towards your accommodation, meals and house up-keep while on duty for the period you are volunteering with any particular program. It also includes AVN Administrative costs.

                                                                       Program Fees

Duration	In US Dollars (US $)
2 Weeks	270
1 Month	420
6 Weeks	620
2 Months	800
3 Months	1200
4 Months	1600
6 Months	2300
Beyond Six months - is negotiable   Click here  for a Currency Converter

You'll also need to raise the money for your flight, insurance and kit. You'll be expected to organise these yourself with close corroboration with our information officer info@av-network.org  The amount that you'll need for your personal budget, will depend on where you are travelling from and if you want to travel during your placement or afterwards

Flight from and to your placement

You are responsible for arranging your own flight and insurance. We strongly recommend you give yourself some time to travel around during and after the project (see below).

You'll leave for Uganda or Kenya (depending on where you want to volunteer) and will be met off the plane by our local representative. You'll spend the first week learning the skills and and some community dos and don'ts you'll need to live and interact with the local host families.

It is also possible for volunteers to live together (groups range from 2-12 volunteers) and work alongside with the community. You'll be fully supported during your time in the villages by a host staff backed up by AVN. Usually conditions are different from the westernized way of life and most villages do not have electricity or running water.

Kenya and Uganda are countries with plenty to explore. We strongly recommend that volunteers arrange with the host organisations at least some days off for travelling. Many volunteers head off on safari to game parks, historical sites which are some of world's most spectacular sites. You'll want a good camera, as the scenery and wildlife are fantastic. You may want to climb Africa's wonderful mountains such as Mt Kenya, Mt Elgon  or the Rwenzoris, or relax on the beautiful beaches of Indian Ocean  or along the shores of Lake Victoria

Returning home

Volunteers return to their home country after a unique and wonderful experience. We ask all volunteers to give us feedback on our volunteer program in order that we can continually improve it. Many volunteers keep in touch with and get involved supporting new volunteers. You'll have the experience of a lifetime learning a lot about yourself and life in developing countries

Tips on fundraising

Several volunteers have expressed some interest in looking for extra funds so that they can support their host organisation.

Here are some tips on how to do it:

• Your fundraising should approach different sources. Don’t spend too long or invest too much hope on any single area of fundraising, unless you are absolutely certain it will bring returns

• You will need to work hard, plan ahead and involve your friends and contacts with what you are trying to do. Take into account the payment deadlines and the need to put a lot of work in at the beginning and then maintain the effort until leaving for your placement

• Concentrate your efforts on a local or regional basis and talk to people about what you are doing; the contacts will slowly develop

• Don’t waste too much time writing to big companies and trusts as the response rate is very small (unless you have personal contacts or connections)

• Investigate possible grants from local councils, local trusts, local Rotary Clubs, your old school or college etc. Start thinking about organising parties, a sponsored event or garage/car boot sales. Maybe a friend or relative will undertake a sponsored event for you

• Be aware of overhead costs incurred in running events or making something.

• Involve as wide a range of people as possible (individuals and organisations) and remember that if they think they are getting something out of it as well, whether it is a service, a meal or just good fun, you are likely to get more support

• Always tell people you are a volunteer and that you are fundraising. You may be surprised that many people will give discounts or waive fees when they hear what you are doing

• When selling yourself and AVN please take care over how you talk about AVN. The main point is that we work very closely local communities on both short and long-term projects. Point out the differences that exist between other organisations and us

• Be selective about what you send and to whom. They will appreciate it and there will be far less waste

• If you can exceed your target all extra money raised goes directly to your host program unless you advise us otherwise

• Keep your own records of who has supported you; so you can write to them to show them it was money well spent

• Keep in touch with AVN and let us know how you are getting on.

Choose the program you would like to go to:

Kenya Program

Shepherds Orphans Centre Nairobi. Involved in orphanage home, school and working with children directly.

Action Times Family Care - Kisii.  Has set up a home for 43 orphans whom  are being taken care of.  Any volunteers with interest to work with and caring for the orphans and vulnerable children who are left behind due to HIV/AIDS  are welcome to apply. Also the program supports the HIV/AIDS infected and affected with HIV/AIDS.

Uganda Programs

The Voluntary Services Trust Team -VOLSET Works in Mukono District. Activities include: Working with orphans, community outreach, health care, HIV prevention and vocational skills

Community Health Edutainment Program - CHEP -Nakaseke. Involved in carrying health messages to the rural and semi-urban communities; through music and drama.  The group also carries out child advocacy/support and community based HIV/AIDS prevention services.

Jim Education Centre - JEC mainly involved in the running of the

orphans home and school. Volunteers interested in this program should have skills in handling children from age 4 to age 17. Teaching skills especially in English language is an added opportunity.

The Diplomats Education Project: DEP  in Mukono District. This is a new project aimed at constructing a multipurpose School for children below 10 years who are victims of circumstance.  This is more of a group volunteers project but also individuals can choose to go to this project.  The applicant should at least have skills and experience in fundraising.  Also the volunteers should be interested in manual work involvement at the site.

Uganda First Help Association - UFHA  Seeta Town, in Mukono District-Uganda; Activities include First Aid Training , Training of Trainers (TOT), HIV/AIDS Counsellings and home visiting, Children welfare and assistance.

Kyosiga Community Christian Association for Development (KACCAD) Works in Mpigi and Wakiso Districts.  Is especially committed to empowering orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), women, people from child-headed households, women headed households, people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, and those with disabilities. The core strength of KACCAD is its excellent understanding of the communities it serves and its practical approach to finding solutions to community problems

Mukono District Network of People living with AIDS (MUDINET) Mukono District:  Social services for people living with HIV/AIDS

Community Development and AIDS Preventions Services (CODEAPS) Mukono District: Support services and public outreach, teaching English in primary school

Maranatha Foundation (MARAFOUND) Jinja District: Primary teaching, community outreach

Cape of Good Hope Mukono District: Working with people with disabilities, elderly community service, teaching in primary and secondary schools

SoweIsland Health Outreach Mukono District (Lake Victoria): Community health outreach, HIV testing

Lwaaje Island Outreach Mukono District (Lake Victoria): Community health outreach, HIV testing

Kimmi Island Health Outreach Mukono District (Lake Victoria): Community health outreach, HIV testing

Sembabule Community Based Development Organization (SECOBADO) Sembabule District: Elderly support services, teaching in schools, HIV outreach

Mukono Multipurpose Youth Organisation (MUMYO) Working in HIV/AIDS, Orphans Advocacy and Support, Sustainable Income Generating activities, teaching English language in a primary school

Maranatha Junior school: (SDBC) Nakisunga, Mukono, supports orphaned children. English teaching and children's welfare. This program is affliated to Seventh-day Baptist Church. Members of Bapist Church can give a helping hand too.

Good Spirit Support Action Centre (GOSSACE): Mukono District. Runs a Golomolo Orpanage Home: Works with orphans affected and infected by HIV/AIDS pandemic

Alpha and Omega Orphanage Home: Salama, Mukono District, Uganda, operates a school and a home for orphaned children. A Born-again Christian project. 

NB: There are other programs not shown on this list

Remember you are selling yourself and AVN;

So, be honest, enthusiastic and determined!

For Volunteers application click on

http://www.freewebs.com/avn-ug/application.htm

Bank Account Details

Funds donated to AVN must be wired directly on the

Bank Account

(See details below)

Bank: 
Stanbic Bank, Uganda Ltd 

Branch: 
Mukono Branch

Name of Account: 
Africa Volunteers Network 

Account Number:
0140574087701

Type of Account:

Savings 

Stanbic Bank is on the SWIFT network using the code SBICUGKX Transfers to us should be made using the MT100 or MT202 format either directly, or where we have BKE arrangements, with remitting bank, or via overseas correspondent bank where we do not.

When wiring money to our account you might be asked for the bank address.

Here it is:

Stanbic Bank,  Mukono  Branch
P O Box 480, Mukono

Tel: +256 41 290758

Fax: +256 41 290757

E-Mail: Mukono_Branch@stanbic.com

When using overseas banks, which are not on the SWIFT network, transfers should be made by telegraphic transfer directly to us, where testing arrangements are in place, or directly to our correspondent bank, where they are not.  In the latter case, the overseas bank must instruct our Correspondent bank, for SWIFT to advise us of the transfer.  Failure to do this will delay the payment.

After you have wired the money, please, quote by E-mail to afrivolnetug@yahoo.com copied to info@av-network.org Tell us the date, amount and the tracking or reference number used in remitting the money. This will help the management of AVN when tracing for the funds on Africa Volunteers Network bank account. We will then send you a receipt for the amount received and acknowledgement letter within two weeks.

For more information write to  info@av-network.org

Or

The Director
Ms Lydia nansukusa
afrivolnetug@yahoo.com

 USA
Ms Michelle Joffe
michelle.joffe@gmail.com

UK
Ms Sophie Bright
icklesoph69@hotmail.com

Information
Mr. Festus Bazira
info@av-network.org

Tel: +256 772 539 100

Why not apply today!!

For application form click on: 
http://freewebs.com/avn-ug/application.htm

info@av-network.org    

or   

call    +256 77 2 539 100

          +256 75 1 539 100