Project Background
UPA Gulu branch works with communities in Northern Uganda who are emerging from over two decades of devastating armed conflict. The communities have returned to their place of origin from the Internally Displaced Persons camps (IDP) camps. The conflict between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Ugandan government had severe impact on the cultural fabric and intercultural relations among the people of Uganda and has now drawn even international community into the fora, UPA Gulu Branch collaborates with various institutions in the area like World Vision, Action Aid, Gulu NGO forum, Gulu Youth center, Diocese of Northern Uganda, schools and many others to assist the youth affected by the war.
Through the work camp, Gulu Branch intends to promote post conflict interventions for youths to learn balancing awareness of cultural revival as one way of building peace. Through enhancing intercultural learning and understanding amongst the youth, cultural stereotype is reduced and hence building national cohesion and peace among these local communities who are emerging from the long war.
Project Objectives
- To involve youth in community service through volunteer work.
- To promote environmental revival
- To create awareness on cultural revival issues
- To explore and discuss post conflict cultural issues
- To promote intercultural exchange to create mutual understanding among the Participants
Activities
- Internship experience with local community projects.
- Cultural briefing connection with local residents
- Conducting Workshop and seminars on culture as economic capital, post conflict situation, environmental revival in Northern Uganda
- Orientation Visit at the Acholi paramount chief’s palace
- Offering voluntary work at Ker Kal Kwaro Cultural Centre, schools etc
- Tree planting at schools, water sources, health centres.
- Work on ongoing project
A cultural night will be organised and participants will display items, songs and dances from their home cultures.
- Wang oo Bony fire with elders giving key note address on host community culture.
Expected Outcome
- That the vision of voluntary work is spread in the local community and among the youth.
- Participants acquire positive values about Uganda’s diverse cultural heritage.
- Participants learn about post conflict situation and coping mechanism of the youth in Gulu-Northern Uganda
- Cultural sites in Acholi sub-regions visited.
- Workshop and seminars on post conflict situation, environmental revival in Northern Uganda conducted.
Cultural and educational visits:
During the work camp participants may visit different places
- Former internally displaced people’s camps and resettlement sites.
- Visiting fort Baker and former slave trade route and collection centres, Kabalega Hide out during the British invasion in the late 18th century.
- Visit to Ker Kal Kwaro palace.
- Participate in cultural events.
- Visiting various recreation centre and places of interest in and around Gulu.
- NB: Some places to be visited may be at a small fee from interested participants.
Who qualify to participate
- One with Positive attitude, willing to interact with a diversity of cultures
- Ambition to learn about post conflict situation and environment
- Ability to Adopt and enjoy living in simple conditions.
- Willing to taste a variety of local foods and rural accommodation
NB: No special or particular expertise/skills required, however Participants with skills in creative and interactive games are welcome to participate.
The Host Community
The project location is in a predominantly Acholi population speaking Luo with a good number fluent in English.
Participation
15 participants are expected from UPA branches countrywide, international participants and other well-wishers may attend with prior arrangement. Participants are expected to work for 5 hours a day on the different activities and have Games, sports, Music, Drama and group discussions in the afternoon. On some days, external resource persons shall be invited to conduct formal training in post conflict situation, environment and cultural understanding.
Health Services
Gulu independent Hospital is one and half km, Gulu Health Centre is 1 km away from the camp site, while Lacor main Hospital is 06 km away.. A number of privately run clinics are also available in Gulu town.
Water Source
The water is accessible and clean; the borehole is 100 meters away from the project while tap water is also available in the area
Climate
During the period of the camp the temperatures will be ranging between 20ċ to 30ċ. It will be sunny with a few intervals of rain.
Accommodation
The project will provide simple rooms with closed doors and windows. Therefore participants are required to carry along with them working shoes, gloves, working cloth, sleeping mats and bags, mosquito nets, their national flags, pictures and different games if possible.
Meals
Volunteers will prepare their own meals using charcoal and firewood. There is a variety of local foods to choose from.
What to bring
- Participants shall be required to bring own sleeping bags, mat, pillow, mosquito nets, sun/mosquito creams/repellants, working gloves and boots, shoes. light working clothes during working hours and worm clothes at night hours as it may get cold or chilly. Musical instruments optional; such as flash light; water purifiers optional; personal effects i.e. soap tooth paste toiletries.
- Bring your national flag, common art facts of your country, story books/novels games, pictures and local receipts for cultural presentations from your country is advisable too for cultural interaction.
- Please carry along anything that you feel can as well introduce you and your culture to make it enjoyable. Above all do not forget a happy and positive attitude and energy.
NB.Very short, hot pants; skirt and dresses will not be culturally welcomed especially for female. Smoking in public is illegal engagement in drug/harsh carries a life prison sentence