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Maranatha Health Volunteer Handbook

Maranatha Health

Project Volunteer Handbook

2016

CONTENTS

1. MH Volunteering Guidelines[page 3]

2. Expectations of Volunteers[page 4]

3. The Volunteer Process [page 6]

3.1.PLAN: Specifics of the placement

3.2. PREPARE: Pre-placement preparation

3.3. PARTICIPATE: The placement

3.4. PROVISION: Ongoing support

3.5. PROCESS: Debriefing the experience

4. Uganda [page 8]

4.1. Culture

4.2.Fort Portal

4.3. Language

4.4.Food

4.5.Climate

5. Finance [page 11]

5.1. Money

5.2. Visas

5.3.Trip expenses

6. Practical Information [page 13]

6.1. What to bring

6.2. Clothing

6.3.Accommodation

6.4.Eating and Drinking

6.5.Travelling from Kampala to Fort Portal

6.6. Getting around

6.7.Safety

6.8. Phone and Internet

6.9. Giving to beggars or other Ugandans

7. Health [page 17]

7.1. Health & vaccinations

7.2. Malaria

7.3. HIV/AIDS

8. Working at MH [page 18]

8.1. Working hours

8.2. Relationships & staff

8.3. Media

9. Things to do [page 19]

10. Culture Shock [page 20]

10.1 What is Culture Shock?

10.2. Coping with culture shock

10.3. Stages in adjusting to a new culture

10.4. Key principles to remember

1. MH Volunteering Guidelines

  1. Maranatha Health takes an empowering approach that facilitates locals to partner in setting the agenda for projects. This participation and involvement of the local community in all steps in the project cycle ensures that any outcomes are ‘owned’ by the local community. Due to this, there are limited opportunities for foreigners to be involved in the projects, and opportunitieswill be identified by Maranatha Health, rather than by Australian volunteer requests.
  2. Because volunteers take investment, energy and time from staff, all volunteering must build local capacity according to current needs in Fort Portal. This means volunteers will bring skills and experience not currently available in the region. MH will not provide volunteering placements where locals could provide the same skills and earn a living wage to support their families.
  3. Volunteer placements will vary in length according to requirements of individual scenarios and will be determined in consultation between MH and volunteers.
  4. Because both cross cultural work and aid work can be high risk activities, and MH works with very vulnerable people, there is a screening process that potential volunteers must go through prior to being accepted as a volunteer to ensure suitability to the placement.
  5. Our international development agenda and the local community will be put first in all matters of volunteering. If volunteering with Maranatha Health is not a good fit for you, we can recommend many appropriate and experienced volunteer/tourism agencies that are tailored for volunteers (see
  6. Maranatha Health strongly believes that volunteering does not begin on arrival in Africa, and finish the moment you return home. It includes an in-depth process of preparation and support, cultural learning, self-reflection, and incorporation of new experiences into lifestyles back in Australia. This is facilitated by experienced Maranatha Health associates (Volunteer Coordinator, see below), to ensure maximum readiness for the placement, and maximum benefit to the volunteer and the organisation.
  7. All volunteers will be assigned a Volunteer Coordinator who will be responsible for overseeing and monitoring volunteer activities, and ensure provision of information, training, resources and support required to undertake the agreed work.
  8. Volunteers shall agree to actively perform their duties to the best of their abilities and uphold the expectations, policies and procedures of Maranatha Health. Maranatha Health seeks to provide a conducive environment for all volunteers; however, Maranatha Health does not take any legal or financial responsibility for its volunteers. Therefore any risks and financial needs of the volunteer must be met by the volunteer.
  9. Maranatha Health reserves the right to refuse a volunteer placement on grounds of suitability, appropriateness of timing, resource capacity etc.
  10. Maranatha Health Policies relevant to volunteer placements will be made available to volunteers during the preparation and induction process.

2. Expectations of volunteers

Volunteering with Maranatha Health in Uganda can be a very rewarding experience. Our staff team is wonderful and a lot of fun, the work is fulfilling, and the community will love to meet you and get to know you. However, there are some important things to observe, take note of, and respect when volunteering with Maranatha Health in Uganda.

The rest of thishandbook will provide information about many of these aspects in more detail, but the most important points are highlighted here:

1.Conduct yourself in a manner that reflects well on Maranatha Health.

This almost goes without saying. MH is well respected in the wider community and we wish for this to continue. We expect you to abide by the Volunteer Agreement and all Maranatha Health policies that relate to your placement. If you are unsure of your actions, please talk to any one of the MH Uganda Management Team.

2.Come as a learner, not an expert.

While you may be an expert on various things in Australia, in Uganda you will encounter a culture, ways of doing things, and ideas that are unfamiliar. Entering this experience as a learner will ensure a smoother transition and give you the chance to learn about yourself and the world with fresh eyes. Also, MH emphasises building the capacity of people and communities in Uganda, and as such we consider Ugandans as equals. We seek to disrupt the traditional roles of donor/beneficiary and expert/pupil that have dominated the aid industry to the detriment of local autonomy and self-determination.

3.Suspend judgment of local cultural and treat Ugandans with respect.

Hopefully another obvious point, and this is covered in more detail in section 10.Culture Shock – please read carefully!

4. You will be treated like a staff member.

To cause minimal disruption in the workplace, volunteers are expected to work 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday (or as appropriate for the placement). There is also a compulsory staff meeting at 8:30am. Of course we know that being in another culture can be tiring, and settling in can take some time, sothere is room for flexibility.You will be assigned a Staff Supervisor in Uganda for support and oversight of your placement. Also be aware that you fall under the authority of the MH Management Team, like all other staff member, which is comprised of both Ugandans and Australians.

5.Maintain strictly professional relationships with Maranatha Health Uganda staff

There are several guidelines around this – please see 8.2. ‘Relationships and staff’ for more details.

6.Use appropriate mechanisms for problems and conflicts

MH tries to foster a work place where open communication is encouraged and practiced. MH tries to work as a team and be as helpful as possible, but no organisation is perfect. If you have problems, complaints, or experience conflict, the most important thing we ask you to do is talk about it with the person/people involved. If something is frustrating you or you need advice, please speak to your Staff Supervisor or Volunteer Coordinator.

7.Budget wisely for your placement

There are many expenses involved in coming to Uganda,including theVolunteer Donation that we encourage volunteers to make to Maranatha Health. Read about them in section 4. Finances.

8.Respect the Christian ethos of the Maranatha Health

Maranatha Health is motivated by Jesus Christ and the way he called people to live, motivated by compassion, integrity, and a desire to serve those experiencing poverty and alienation. While we don’t undertake evangelism, and respect the beliefs of all people, our organisation is founded on Christian values and many of our staff are Christians. If you are do not identify as Christian, please respect our motivation and Christian ethos.

9. Enjoy yourself!

Build relationships, engage with people, learn about a very different culture, be patient with yourself and with MH, and you will have a great time!

3. The Volunteer Process

3.1. PLAN: Specifics of the placement

Your placement will be based on a need in Uganda that you have the skills/experience to fill. With reference to the position description you have received, MH staff from both Australia and Uganda will discuss the particulars of your placement.

3.2. PREPARE: Pre-placement preparation

Maranatha Health recognises that entering another culture, particularly in a developing country, can be a daunting experience and cause what is termed ‘culture shock’ or ‘culture stress’.Cultural misunderstanding, burn out, culture shock, compassion fatigue and even trauma are veryreal and can have devastating consequences. We have seen the fallout from ill-prepared individuals too many times to be willing to risk our volunteers and Ugandan operations/clients inthis way.In addition, Maranatha Health is committed to respecting the local culture and to building strong relationships with those in the local community. For these reasons, we believe it is essential that each volunteer undergo robust,guided preparation before embarking on the journey.

  1. You will be assigned a Volunteer Coordinator for screening and a process of cross-cultural preparation and awareness (e.g., seesection 10. Culture Shock). This is an essential part of the MH volunteer process.
  2. We also encourage you to arrange personal support structures prior to the placement, for debrief, encouragement, and down time. This will also be discussed and planned with the Volunteer Coordinator.

Recommended Reading:

  • Serving with Eyes Wide Open by David Livermore

3.3. PARTICPATE: The placement

Upon arrival in Uganda, Maranatha Health will help you as much as possible to settle in.

  1. We can arrange transport from the airport, provide orientation to the local area, settle you into your accommodation,show you where to shop, and explain local transport.
  2. Once settled you will be oriented to the Maranatha Children’s Clinic, staff and programs, and we will discuss your placement in detail.
  3. A staff member will be happy to teach you some basic language.
  4. You will attend daily staff meetings, and carry out your tasks, as appropriate.

3.4 PROVISION: Ongoing support

Travelling, living and working in a foreign environment can be hugely stressful. Maranatha Health seeks to ensure that volunteers enjoy a productive, safe, and mutually beneficial placement in Uganda. For this reason, we will provide various levels of support:

  1. Supervision will be provided by the senior staff member under whose direction youare working and will include a weekly meeting to discuss progress, and any issues/questions, etc.
  2. Regular liaison with the Volunteer Coordinator will be arranged and undertaken via email/Skype to discuss concerns and respond to issues raised by the volunteer, and generally check in.
  3. Maintain regular contact with your personal support people/structures.

3.5. PROCESS: Debriefing the experience

Returning home after a placement can be difficult and take time to adjust and process all that has been learnt and experienced. We hope that volunteers will integrate their experiences in a way that enables a continued response to the needs of the world’s poor. It is important for all volunteers to have the opportunity to debrief on returning home and volunteers receive:

  1. A confidential professional debrief/interview with the Volunteer Coordinator or related Maranatha Health representative.
  2. Each volunteer will also be asked to fill out a Volunteer Evaluation form. This information will be used to evaluate and plan for future volunteer placements.

Feedback from professional debrief will be used for quality improvement of placements and to inform Maranatha Health of any emerging needs in Fort Portal. Confidential information will not be disclosed.

We also recommend the following:

  1. A debrief with a counsellor if the volunteer was in Uganda for longer than one month (the Volunteer Coordinator will assist with arrangements).
  2. A formal opportunity/ies for the volunteer to share about their experience in their community (workplace, university, church etc).
  3. A chance to share their story in Maranatha Health newsletter updates and on the website.
  4. Opportunity to become involved as a Local Volunteer in Australia.

4. Uganda

Uganda isAfrica condensed, with the best of everything the continent has to offer packed into one small but stunning destination. Uganda is home to the highest mountain range in Africa, the Mountains of the Moon in the Rwenzori National Park. It is the source of the mighty Nile, and around Jinjaoffers the best white-water rafting in the world. It has the highest concentration of primates on earth, including the majestic mountain gorilla, one of the rarest animals on the planet.

Despite the fact that the scenery is so striking, the beautiful national parks see far fewer visitors than neighbouring Kenyaand Tanzania.The capital, Kampala, is safer and friendlier than most capitals inAfrica. In 1907 pioneering tourist Winston Churchill called it the ‘Pearl ofAfrica’.

Mention Uganda to most people today and the first thing they’ll think of is the brutality of Idi Amin (or Koni). Thankfully for Uganda, the ‘big man’ died in exile in 2003 and Koniwas neutralised in 2006. Stability has returned to most parts of the country and tourists are welcomed with open arms. Despite the trials and tribulations of the past, Ugandans have weathered the storm remarkably well. The people offer heart-warming hospitality throughout the country, and their ever-present smiles are often accompanied by ‘Hello Mzungu!’

-Adapted from the Lonely planet guide, Uganda, 2010

4.1.Culture

Culture is a huge part of every society, and can be defined as the shared beliefs, feelings, values and expressions of a community of people. It includes:

  • What constitutes justice
  • What is right and wrong
  • What constitutes proper parenting
  • What constitutes beauty or ugliness
  • What being well-educated means and looks like
  • What is good and evil and where it comes from
  • What constitutes status
  • What constitutes respect, how it is given, and who is deserving of it; and much more.

Every culture is different, but they also share many things and, at the end of the day, all people want similar things: safety, health, prosperity, fulfilment, community, self expression, freedom, and love.

It can be very difficult to define a culture and we run the risk of perpetuating stereotypes, or creating unhelpful preconceptions. We are hesitant to include a thorough description of Ugandan culture from our perspective because culture is highly complex, takes a very, very long time to understand and can be easily misread. We also think that it is important for volunteers to go on a journey of discovery for themselves, and to unearth truths/realities/dynamics over time.

However, some general understanding is helpful and for somewhere to start head to this website:

Entering another culture is a huge experience, and can result in culture shock. Please see 10. Below.

4.2. Fort Portal (FP)

Maranatha Health’s facility is located the town of Fort Portal (yes, not Port Fortal!), in Kabarole District, Western Uganda. The dominant tribe in Kabarole is the Batooro, who are the traditional people of this land. Kabarole has a population of approximately 400,000, most of whom are rural peasants practising subsistence agriculture. There is a growing middle class in Fort Portal town (the district centre). There are several areas of national park in Kabarole district, and the beautiful scenery and wildlife attracts significant numbers of tourists annually to this area of Uganda.

Some of the challenges faced by the people of Kabarole include: natural disasters such as earthquakes and landslides (the district is located on a fault line); the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and potential resulting political instability; land pressure due to high population growth; high levels of poverty and unemployment; and very high levels of HIV/AIDS (even compared to other regions in Uganda). Traditionally, women have very little power in Batooro society.

While there are 2 larger hospitals in Kabarole (one government, one Catholic) these serve as referral units for much of the western region and thus are over-burdened and understaffed. The combined lack of effective preventative health initiatives in the rural population and the poor state of health services, results in the residents of Kabarole falling sick often and facing dire consequences. They suffer needlessly from many health issues that could be countered with simple prevention, education and treatment. The leading causes of death in Kabarole include: malaria, acute respiratory infections (pneumonia), HIV/AIDs related illness, worms and STIs.

Poverty and sickness create a vicious cycle. When people are unwell, they cannot earn an income, they require money to pay for treatment, they are less likely to be able to afford education for their children, etc. Paradoxically, while sickness makes people poorer, poverty also leads to sickness: with a lack of health literacy, lack of access to clean water, lack of good nutrition, exposure to HIV/AIDs and other factors, all leading to poorer health outcomes.

●Malaria is the leading cause of ill health and death in Kabarole

●HIV/AIDS prevalence rate stands at 11.3% - high even for Uganda

●The maternal mortality ratio currently sits at 435/100,000 births

●Children are highly valued as a sign of wealth and prestige, as seen by each woman bearing an average of 7 children during her lifetime

●The under 5 mortality rate currently sits at 129/1000

●Women’s lives are characterised by high levels of poverty, illiteracy rates, heavy work-loads and powerlessness, and low participation in decision making even on matters that concern their lives.

4.3. Language

There are 43 different languages spoken in Uganda. Fortunately English is the national language and in the main cities and towns it is very easy to communicate only in English.

When moving out into the villages, you will find many people that only speak their tribal dialect (or several dialects!)

The language spoken predominantly in Fort Portal is called Rutooro. This is mainly a spoken language (although there are some texts available). On arrival, volunteers will be able to have a language lesson to learn basic greetings and phrases. More comprehensive language lessons can be arranged if desired.