Kalangala District is made up of 84 islands, of which 63 are inhabited and scattered all over Lake Victoria. It is made up of 2 counties, 6 rural sub-counties and 1 Town Council. The district is accessible by road through Bukakata (an inland port in Masaka district) to Bugoma, (an inland port in Kalangala district) using the Bukakata- Bugoma Ferry. According to census statistics of 2002, the district has a total population of 36,667 with males being almost two thirds of the whole population. This has great implications on marriage patterns, sexual relationships, sexual practices and HIV/AIDS spread in the district. The population growth rate is at 5.88. Infant mortality rate is 99/1000 and life expectancy is 50.8 years.
Whereas the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is on decline country wide to 6.5%, the challenges associated with the epidemic in Kalangala district are still enormous and desiring added efforts. Although the revealed percentage applies to Uganda in general, the district prevalence rate remains unknown though the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among people tested at Bugoma village and Kasekulo landing site puts the estimate at 27.3%, unacceptably one of the highest in the country. The HIV prevalence rate is still high among people aged 15-49 who are the guardians and most energetic members of the community.
The poverty levels in this area are vast, major causes of poverty in the household include low and seasonal prices, and lack of processing and a ready market for fish. Variations in the fish catch with the seasons and hardships associated with the low season were cited. Prostitution, lack of education and vocational skills, and ignorance were also frequent causes. The major effects of poverty were listed as excessive alcohol consumption, inability to educate one’s children, lack of funds, lack of good jobs and low wages.
Children’s Sure House realized the need to give a chance of free education to solve a great deal of emergent problems. There was only one day care nursery school in Maboga village which is the poorest area of the Island.
CSH Ssese project
Ssese Island project is our newest initiative that was started by Children’s Sure House in 2006. This project is combating the reduction of poverty and illiteracy by providing free formal education to children whose parents died of HIV and other vulnerable cases. The high illiteracy rate among the communities is the key factor explaining poverty in Kalangala. Communities in the peri-urban sub-site in the Town Council crudely estimated that over 50% of the population in Kalangala village was illiterate or had not attained primary school education, basically rotating in a vicious circle of poverty.
Participation
Children’s Sure House appeals to you to sign up for voluntary service to participate in the development process of our country.
Number of children at the school
The need is very enormous but we are currently focusing our attention on 20 children who are soar freely attaining education in nursery section.
Project and Volunteers
Day to day activities.
You will be working at the school project in the morning and the afternoon you will be visiting community members in the company of the project officials. Among the afternoon activities will include games with kids, interaction with local fishermen, fishing and resting.
Transportation
Ssese Island is located in Lake Victoria in the south western part of Uganda. It is accessible by road through Bukakata (an inland port in Masaka district) to Bugoma, (an inland port in Kalangala district) using the Bukakata- Bugoma Ferry.
Accommodation
All volunteers will be accommodated in wood made bandas, toilet facilities and other facilities are present at the project. Others will sleep in tents. It is a camping environment. There is no running water. The toilets are pit latrine.
Food and Beverages
Food will be prepared and served at the project. There will be a special team of caterers to cook and serve. At all times, volunteers will choose with in them a pair that will help in the preparations (cooking, washing the dishes). There will be breakfast, lunch and dinner which will be served at the dinning table.
On all occasions, the team will have enough beverages (water, juices) needed for the volunteers at the project stores
Transportation All volunteers will be picked from the airport and dropped back to the airport on their return dates. There is a budget for that program which is catered for by the volunteers.
Hospital
The major hospitals are in Masaka Town which is a one hour drive, we have a Health Center in Kalangala town which is divided into two sub health districts served by 12 health units – however cases for urgent surgery that need to reach Masaka hospital will be transported to Masaka by ferry and road
Security
Security for our volunteers has always been our priority. The community is very friendly.
No volunteer will be allowed to walk alone and without the project leader, local team leader or any authorized person. There are no wild animals to be afraid of apart from monkeys which are not harmful.
Please do not hesitate to me for any clarification.
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