Merryn goes to Uganda!

October 2013 is when it is all happening!!

Global Volunteer Network is an excellent organisation providing volunteer placements all around the world in poverty stricken countries.

If you'd like to learn more about Global Volunteer Network and some of the amazing work they do across the world please go to their website http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/.  

October 15th I will arrive in Uganda where I will spend two weeks at an Orphanage for children affected by HIV/Aids. 

This page is set up to raise my funds to get me to Uganda and to cover my costs for food and accomodation. I will also aim to take as much donated goods to the Orphanage, including art supplies etc. This is something that I have wanted to do for a long long time, and I am finally getting the guts to do it. If you are able to help support me in my quest to make a difference to the lives of these children then I would really appreciate it. Thank you for your love and support on my journey xx

I have put some information below on Uganda and the AIDS and poverty crisis.

Uganda is among the poorest countries in the world with a per capita GDP of around USD$280 (1999). It has the smallest economy (6.1 billion - 1999 EIU estimate) of the three members of the East African Cooperation (EAC) - Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. 

Throughout Africa, the AIDS crisis is placing serious strains on societies in a number of ways. First of all, it is draining the already limited health services as greater numbers of HIV patients become in need of care. HIV/AIDS has also increased the mortality rate of healthcare workers making their already depleted numbers in even shorter supply.

HIV/AIDS is also affecting the young adult group in society who are the prime income earners for their household. When young children lose their parents, they are often forced to leave school in order to work. Households with one or more HIV patients have to spend a greater amount of their meager income on care and funeral costs and cut back on basic necessities and, in order to cope, they may be forced to borrow from other households and use up their savings. This causes many families to fall into further poverty.

5 hours west in Uganda is a remote Orphange with a children who's lives have been affected by Aids. They are eiether infected or are orphans because their parents have been infected and have passed away. I will get the opportunity to spend two weeks at this Orphanage. My role will involve organising play, arts and crafts, hygiene and HIV/AIDS education.