Volunteer in the Pearl of Africa!

Youth Focus Africa Foundation (YOFAFO) is an independent, indIgenous, non-government organisation registered by the republic of Uganda. YOFAFO aims to empower women and children through education, health and micro-finance programs. YOFAFO has been active in three villages in the Lugazi area since 2005, working in partnership with each community. In this time we have built a strong foundation of trust, community involvement, listening and accountability.

Project Areas

EDUCATION: We have opened two primary schools in the communities of Najja (460 students) and Kitoola (300 students). Most of the children who attend these schools are orphans, or in vulnerable positions whereby they would not otherwise receive an education. The five-year plan is to expand the project to include an agriculture program so we can sustainably feed children at the school, and to start building a secondary and vocational school.

HEALTH: YOFAFO currently provides health outreach services to 10 villages in the region. A mobile clinic visits one village per week, for two days. At the same time, the foundation provides public health education, particularly in relation to HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention and counselling. A volunteer team provided in partnership with the Global Volunteers Network has also completed the first phase of construction of a health clinic at children's village/school at Najja.

MICRO-FINANCE: In 2008, YOFAFO started a micro-finance program for women in the village of Bulimagi. This program provides small loans to women who, as females, would not otherwise be able to secure one without the collateral of a father or husband's land. The women use these loans to start small businesses which in turn, gives them a sense of independence and self-esteem while at the same time enabling them to better provide for their families. Women are placed in groups of five and guarantee each other for the loans. Loans start at US$50 and YOFAFO also provides the women with education about financial management. There are currently about 120 women participating in the program, which has a loan recovery rate of almost 100 per cent.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: In the villages supported by YOFAFO, the foundation has also established women's empowerment programs. These include donating animals to women so they can start agriculture businesses, and providing training in tailoring and craft, with products sold locally and internationally via our sponsors and volunteers. YOFAFO has also purchased some land with a long-term view to develop larger scale community farming.

WHAT CAN I DO DURING A PLACEMENT WITH YOFAFO?

Simply, anything. Whether you are looking to develop professional skills or to learn new ones, we can accommodate you. We need trades people, teachers, accountants, photographers, farmers and public health professionals. Check out our current placements available on our website and if nothing suits, email us at info@yofafo.org so we can work on developing a position which will utilise your expertise.

ACCOMMODATION

While on placement with Yofafo, you will be staying at the Yofafo volunteer headquarters in Lugazi, Uganda. You will most likely have a room to yourself, but if there is a large group of volunteers you may share your bunk accommodation with one or two others. You will be provided with a pillow, blanket and other linen and also a mosquito net. It's recommended you bring your own towel. The accommodation is excellent by Ugandan standards, but please be aware that it will be different to what you are used to. Some of our volunteers have recently donated an oven to the kitchen, but apart from that we don't use many appliances. We do have a clean flushing latrine for your use, and running water. We are saving up to turn this into a HOT water service for our volunteers… a luxury in Uganda!

COSTS

The cost to volunteer with Yofafo is generally $650 for the first month and $550 for each following month. This covers the cost of your food, accommodation (water, power, linen, clothes washing and staff costs), airport transfers, transport to and from your placements, supervision on placements and our administration costs. Your money also contributes to the cost of running our projects and will go to the area of most need at the time. For example, it may pay for bricks for the building of a health clinic or classroom, medical supplies for our health outreach program, or small loans for the microfinance program.

Extra costs really depend on your own budget, but volunteers usually get by on anywhere between $US50 and $US200 a week. You will need money to pay for bottled drinking water, phone and internet costs, any special food or treats for yourself, and leisure activities such as safaris or white water rafting. As a guide, you can stay at a reputable backpackers for $10 a night, camp for even less, or book a nice hotel or even a banda on a secluded island for between $30 and $70 a night.

The currency in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling. For personal spending money bring a combination of cash and credit cards. There are a number of banks in Lugazi with ATMs, and there is also a Western Union if you need to have some money wired to you. There are many forex bureaux in Uganda where you can exchange your money. We recommend you bring large denomination bills in order to attract the best exchange rate.

Check out Lonely Planet for more details on the types of things you can do while in Uganda and the different prices.