HIV testing kits for Sowe Island

Overview: Stacey and I made an ongoing commitment to pay for HIV testing kits for the people of Sowe Island until all those who wished to be tested are tested, and tested at least twice (unless they are +ve/reactive). VOLSET personnel (and their volunteers) record the number of tests conducted, the results, and some other demographic information. The data is later placed into a spreadsheet, which is then emailed to Stacey and Kathy to analyze and write an report. This report is then used by VOLEST to help them determine if they are being successful, refining their procedures and targets, and as supporting information in VOLSET funding applications.

Status: During 2006 we paid for about 400 test kits (they are 1USD each)

Sowe Outreach and Resource Centre (Paradise village, Sowe Island)

Overview: The first fundraising event (May 2006) raised money to construct a building to store books, papers, HIV test kits, and a private area for councilling, and somewhere for VOLSET people (including volunteers) to sleep during their short stays.

Status:

<top>

Dormitory in Nsmuba

Overview: The first fundraising event (May 2006) also raised money to build a dormitory for some children who go to the local high school but do not live at home due to travelling distance or are orphans. The current accommodation was crowded, damp, and dark.

We are thinking about the next stage for this project - maybe solar panels to power a small number of lights, then maybe a well (the closest well is about 1 km away - a long way when twice a day you need to collect one or two 25 litre plastic containers of water )

Status: Kathy (me) receiving a receipt for some of the money raised for both this project and the Sowe Island Outreach and Resources Centre project. John (in white shirt) and Festus (in blue shirt). The boarders were anxious to move in and help as builder's labourers on Sundays and sometimes after school.

BUT now they need to collect more water every day; therefore a well is next on the list

Sponsorship:

Overview:

Status: I try to get to Uganda at least once ever two years - so far I have been lucky enough to have been there December (2005 - this is when it all began), and July 2006. I take with me any special letters, gifts, plus anything extra I can manage in my luggage, and give it to the children and young adults (The girls had great fun with the nail polish - and remover :-) ). The biggest hurdle on our part is getting money to VOLSET in time for the new school year (the transfer and 'acceptance' fees from the banks are costly).

There are many more children throughout Uganda (Africa, and the world) who would benefit from sponsorship for their education - we can't do it all, but every bit helps. If you would like to know more, please email us or VOLSET.

We have a few children sponsored through Aussie Friends of VOLSET. These are:

Shalon, Seth and Ester (see aussie-kids details)

<top>

PenPal project :

Overview: After a talk given at an Albert Park Rotary Club meeting, a Pen Pal project was established between Nakasekee Primary School (Uganda) and Albert Park Primary School. The Aussie kids started off by writing a one page letter - about 30 in all. I took these with me when I went to Uganda in July 2006. We were also lucky enough for a Melbourne stationary company (Office and More) to donate pencils, pencil cases, eraser, sharpeners and paper - I also took these with me. This gave the children at Nakaseke some enthusiasm and special materials to write the Pen Pal letters. I bought some cheap film cameras and left these with the children so that they could take some photos to send back to Australia (the idea is for Festus to send us the unexposed film which we will have developed in Australia)

Status: The snail mail from Uganda to Australia ended up being too costly (and slow), so Festus scanned the Nakasekee letters and emailed them to us. This took some time to organise and more time to have done, plus allocating money for Internet time. In the long run, the letters arrived during the Australian school holidays (missed the end of school day by only 2 days :-( ) . However, the letters will be at the school when the children return, and hopefully they will write back to the Ugandan children. Next time, the turn-around should be much quicker. The Albert Park Rotary Club has offered to pay for the Ugandan Internet connection time.

Other:

Overview: What felt right at the time.

<top>

Jane needed to catch more fish to give her more money for her family. We gave her a little money to buy some more fishing nets

Rita was feeling down, so I was her Mum for a day, and took her to town to see the doctor, buy her a yummy lunch and some shoes.