Hello Friends
I warmly send you greetings from the pearl of Africa Uganda and Bunabumali children in particular. The children are in Examinations of End of Term Two ( II) and as l talk Now they are in studying and revisions with teachers project doing project work like looking after the Crops, garden ( the banana plantations has started Yielding Matooke from our Garden, Today they managed to get One Bunch of Banana of which it had to feed few children as you know many children at the project .

some of my friends as l have been telling you there is Lack of Food stuffs at the project and since you know very well about your help to my project don’t l look behind. As for sure l send my regards to all friends who managed to help in the biggest burden of food crisis and medical bills when l was sick and other children but Now none of the children is sick all are ok and to be on safe side as l early said we are eying at making our project get food as early send the Message about helping us with Food at the project

……………………………………………………………………………………………..A Many thanks are dedicated to countless persons who have loved the children at all times. I fly big hug to all of you who made this success. May the good Lord reward each and everyone for your continued support to BGSON. The world needs people like you to make it a better place for everyone. Allow me make an out cry of requesting for the following incase you can afford help then you are have saved the children · Our International and Local friends need to have safely protected and sleep well the project requests help in terms of getting the 6 Mattresses since we have acquired Beds and Enough rooms and volunteers are starting to arrive this July/2010. Each Mattress $ 50 USD · The project members are requesting if we can buy for them pangas, Wheel borrow, Spades, Grass cutters, Forked Hoe and Hoes so that they keep our banana plantations maintained and soon we are going to start giving children Bananas from our garden but still we need more since we have small farm we need to increase the production. Which can cost $ 250 USD · The school needs 2 Ring Bells for making change of school periods and time keeping which can cost $ 40 USD · We have increased the classes from 3 up to 14 classes and now we have to get Bud locks and we shut the classes which can cost $ 400 USD · The children and Teachers are requesting for the Musical instruments which can make them perform best since Action Hero bought them a drum they now need the full set of Musical Instruments costing them 300 USD · The teachers who volunteers with the project request for Text books which we need to buy from here in order to allow children get better educations starting from Nursery up to Primary Seven ( Grade 7) and they requested Religious books and Bibles for children reading and picture books $ 150 USD · The children also need to get Mathematical sets to allow them get Arithmetic skills. Each set $ 1 USD then 200 children $ 200 USD

All Regards
Emmanuel

What are the necessary requirements to be an BGSON volunteer?

You must:

• Have provided BGSON with photocopies of your travel and medical insurance certificates on the Day of Arrival
• Have provided a photocopy of the back page of your passport (just in case these documents are mislaid during travel).
• Have to share  information on your travel arrangements (flight number, airline, arrival and departure time and dates).
• Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Can I talk to a previous volunteer about their experience?

Yes you can.Volunteering is a personally rewarding and exciting opportunity. What you get from it will largely depend on your life and career stage, and of course how much effort you put in!  Benefits include:

• the satisfaction of sharing knowledge, skills and abilities
• meeting new people, making new friends
• new skills in your field of study or interest
• greater self esteem
• an enhanced CV and marketability
• new meaning and satisfaction in your life
• gain a new experiences
• travel
• priceless memories!

Anyone  can become a Voluntourist. It suits any stage of life or career :

• individuals
• families
• businesses, corporates, employees
• those in retirement
• students
• gap years travellers
• holidaymakers

Whether you live in  Africa or abroad you can volunteer your time towards a worthy cause. Get hands on experience by working on a specially chosen project that needs YOUR Skills GSON is the Answer.

Volunteers

Volunteers of any faith background are more than welcome to come work with us at the Bunabumali Good Samaritan Orphan & Needy project .

Working with the Teachers   you can plan regular shifts  either weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc. If your availability isn't as regular you can simply call us ahead of time to see what times you can be most helpful. For further questions contact our coordinator.Working with these kids is not easy. Some have had incredibly difficult starts to their life. But we don't work here because it is easy but because we are called to do so. Because of this these children receive a level of care only paralleled by their future adoptive families. We thank you for those interested in volunteering with us. It is a sacrifice of time and love that makes an impact on these kids for the rest of their lives!

We welcome international volunteers to come and serve at Bunabumali Good Samaritan Orphan & Needy project . It is a demanding, yet rewarding experience for all who are prepared to sacrifice their time and energy in loving God’s children. The children we care for vary in age, size, and health. Each child is an individual and each child needs unconditional love. If you feel you are called to work with abandoned and orphaned children, we challenge you to consider the emotional and spiritual cost of coming to Uganda . One must be prepared to form bonds and have your heartstrings pulled in many different ways. We hold strong to Christ’s promise in 2 Corinthians 12:9 which says, "My grace is all you need for my power is greatest when you are weak." Prepare to be stretched. Prepared to grow in ways you haven't imagined.International volunteers seeking to minister at Bunabumali Good Samaritan Orphan & Needy project should consider a time frame of 4 Days  to 1 year of service. With the variety of homes and ministries opening at Bunabumali Good Samaritan Orphan & Needy project we can not guarantee exactly which one you will be serving at so please have an open mind and heart when you are applying. It is also possible that while you are with us that we ask you to work in all of our houses for a short period of time - please try and be flexible to this however if you have a specific preference e.g. toddlers verse babies we will try to accommodate that where possible. Should you wish to come long term, we require a 3 month trial period which allows for both parties to pull out should the need arise. Below are the details necessary to begin your exciting journey.

Requirements

 Applicants must :

• Have a God-given desire to work with  children  and community members
• In good health
• Prepared to come at your own expense
• Immunized: Hepatitis A (TB vaccination is suggested. TB can be passed from adult to child but almost unlikely to be passed from child to adult. Malaria pills are only necessary if you plan to travel 
• In possession of a valid passport (and visa if applicable)
• International Driving license if driving whilst here

Responsibilities

• Child care including bathing, feeding, clothing, changing, playing, preparing, doing laundry, housekeeping, cooking and loving the children of all ages.
• You will be expected to do both day and night shifts. After a training period, night shifts are handled . Therefore expect to be in charge of  children while working night shift. Don’t panic; all past volunteers have managed very well!
• Work in a team environment with staff members of a variety of cultures and languages.
• Attend and maybe take daily devotions for staff and volunteers
• Flexibility is a must as we have several children. You may be placed at any of these throughout your stay.
• You may also be asked to assist in other duties such as taking children to the clinic and/or hospital, collecting food donations from local grocery store, Teaching in classes  and small office tasks.

Preparation

• Although Uganda is a third world country, Kampala is a modern city. It is comparable to a large commercial city in the Africa. So don’t expect to see elephants and lions when you walk off the plane! Downtown Kampala is renowned for it’s high crime rate and poverty. Many people are sceptical about going to the city because of media coverage portraying only the negative aspects of life. We acknowledge this harsh reality and in turn ensure that our volunteers are well educated in safety tips. We do not suggest or ask any of our volunteers to travel alone within the city apart from to our second or third baby house.
• While at the Project we expect you to have full stay at the project and talk to the children freely and make sure you interact with the Community members to make the children develop self esteem.
• Public transport is not an option for international volunteers as it is quite unsafe and t the project does not have car or means of transport.  so we advise you to use private cars ( special Hires ) which are abit costly but more safer. Walking is acceptable in some areas, which will be indicated upon arrival. But don't movement is allowed between 7:00 Am up to 18:00 Hours then be at the project to maintain safety.
• The seasons in the Uganda are opposite those of Europe and North America. The winter months of March-August are cold at day and night  but sunny and relatively warm during the day. The summer months of November-March are hot and dry But Climate keeps on changing.
• There is no dress code at BGSON and no cultural restraints for Uganda in general. However, it is suggested that one wears dresses/skirts on Sundays (unless you’re a man!). We suggest layers for the winter months and a warm coat. For the summer months, we recommend normal summer attire . Although not always needed, raincoats and Jackets are recommended year round.
• Moisturizing lotion and lip balm is highly recommended, as the climate is at times Dry 
• Shops and shopping malls are within the area of work and you can buy what you can but remember some food stuffs are dangerous to your health
• The majority of cosmetics, feminine products, shampoos and bathing supplies can be found here. If you are particularly fussy please feel free to bring your own otherwise you can purchase upon arrival.
• International phone cards can be purchased at the shops, as personal phone calls can be made as well.
• The voltage and power supply is different here so do not bring anything electrical unless you have the specific adapter needed for Ugandan plugs. 
• There is Internet access available at local shops for a small fee and WIFI now works in small places. You can come with your Laptops they can work safely here.
• Should you wish to travel, this should be prearranged with BGSON Leadership and will obviously be at your own cost and safety.as we Assume you come to stay at the project until the time of Departure.If you happen to have any other travels while at the Project let you tell us in Advance so that we know about your trips
• Travel insurance and medical aid is optional and to be arranged by the volunteer.
• Leisure time will be in your days off. There are game parks and other places of interest within Uganda . The volunteer will be responsible for booking these excursions with the assistance of BGSON Leadership.
• There are many churches nearby of all denominations, which you can attend. We ask that during your stay, you attend a service of Your choice but more so ANGLICAN , Or CATHOLIC  the founding body of this project 

Fund Raising

BGSON is a Non-Profit Organization, therefore the individual volunteer must raise all funds and financial support. We have made an extra effort to keep costs at a minimum. The following is a guideline for suggested budget per month. It indicates the maximum amount that should be necessary for each item.

• Accommodation: Is Free at the Project for all the days or time while staying with us.
• Food: Recommend eating with Children and the family of the Project members.
• Spending Money: personal choice and more so ask the BGSON teachers and children to guide since our Currency is Different so to avoid being checked always need helpers and once you purchase something there's what's called MUZUNGU price which is abit High so to avoid that buy with helper to avoid being cheated

The total  is variable depending on the exchange rate and it is the volunteers responsibility to check on this and apply to their own currency. (see website www.coinmill.com  Ugandan Currency is the Shilling ) Volunteers are personally responsible for the administration of funds. Traveller’s cheques can be used and exchanged at banks nearby. Most credit cards are accepted. ATM/Debit cards can be used only with a Visa logo. If financial gifts are specifically allocated for BGSON , the Leadership Team should be notified upon arrival.

Accommodation

We have space  available to international volunteers (or long term and  local volunteers). Leadership holds the final decision in on-site accommodations but we will do our best to accommodate as many of our volunteers as possible

Volunteer Room

This room has space for 4 shorter term  volunteers. There are shared facilities with the kids. This is ideal for shorter term volunteer who do not plan on hiring a car during their stay. It is few minutes walk to The Shops (our nearest mall) which has grocery stores, chemists,  cinema, and other store you may need access to. 

Car Hire and Driving

In Uganda we drive on the left side of the road. The majority of our cars here are shift stick/manual. If you can only drive an automatic please let us know as soon as you can so we can try and arrange this for you. Automatic cars are more expensive to hire.Please note that unless you make arrangements with our Volunteer Coordinator everyone is likely to need to hire a car and be able to drive to and from all our houses.

Adoption

Please note that during your stay you will become attached to  many  children. Under no circumstances will you be able to adopt as a result of your time in Uganda . Due to legal ramifications adoptions can only occur in certain European countries (which does not include the UK). Not only this but it is considered illegal in this country to "choose" your own child. Although this seems harsh and unfair, it is best that you are aware of policies before you come.

Visas

The best way of discovering if you need a visa to travel to Uganda is to call the Ugandan Embassy in your country. Many times volunteers will need a letter of invitation from BGSON . We are happy to furnish you with this when you need it. Information we have gathered so far:

UK: If you are coming for under a year you need not apply for a visa as long as you have a return ticket into the UK. They will issue you with a green temporary residents permit at customs as you enter Uganda . You will need to know BGSON ’s information to tell them what you are doing in this country.

USA: If you are coming for under three months we believe you can enter on a visitors permit as long as you have a return ticket. This will be issued upon entry through customs into Uganda . Should you be coming for a longer period of time we suggest that you apply to your Ugandan Embassy for a Missionary/Volunteer Visa. Again you are likely to require a letter from us, which we will be happy to send if Need be.

This information is purely a guideline and you should research this information yourself rather than rely on the accuracy of what we have.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SPONSORING CHILD

If you are interested in sponsoring a child please contact

Emmanuel Norman Nakhokho   
 Project Manager
Good Samaritan Orphan & Needy school 
Bunabumali ,Buwali ,Bubiita ,Manjiya 
P O Box 36021kampala 
Uganda 
Tel: +256711465135 or +256753465135

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