Handicrafts from Uganda placement site

Our placement site in Uganda is trying to generate funds through selling their own handicrafts. They have made some beautiful bracelets and necklaces. Here is the link so you can see photos:

http://bunambale.blogspot.com/

We are bringing some of them to London and will be selling them on our weekly stall. If anyone is interested in buying some, do get in touch!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel in Nepal, South India and Uganda?

The political situation in Nepal is much more stable nowadays and so it is much safer for people to travel in Nepal. If you ask the Nepali, they say that they are safe and have reached freedom now that the politicians are not fighting anymore and there is no turmoil within the country. There are also many westerners travelling in Nepal nowadays. The locals are used to seeing foreigners in their country, which creates a safer atmosphere for exploring Nepal. In general, the Nepali are very friendly, welcoming and hospitable.

Likewise, the security situation in South India is fine. The project placement site is situated around the biggest slums of India, yet there is a high level of respect for foreigners and so the rate of crime is low. Foreigners are seen as individuals who have come to help the locals and so they are warmly welcomed by all.

The placement site in Uganda is in a small rural village. The crime rate in the area is very low. The locals are used to foreign volunteers who have been going there for the past years. Everyone can easily adjust to the site and do not need to fear for their safety.

Which vaccinations should I take before travelling to Nepal, South India or Uganda?

You should check with your doctor before travelling to any of the destinations. Malaria tablets are recommended if you are intending to travel to the more rural areas of any of the countries.

How do volunteering project sites get funded in Nepal, South India and Uganda?

The Government in all the countries is virtually non-existent. Local nor their projects do not receive any funding within the country. There is a heave reliance on funding from overseas. Therefore, a number of project sites have introduced so-called volunteering placement fees, as they see this as the only way to generate a sustainable income for their placement site. All the money nevertheless goes towards the project itself and volunteers can themselves see what the money is used for.

Are the children in orphanages in Nepal, South India and Uganda really orphaned?

The children in all the orphanages are orphaned. Most often, their parents will have died of disease. In Nepal, malaria is a big killer and in Uganda the prevalence of HIV is high. The land that belonged to the parents is passed on to the children, but they are kept in the orphanage till their reach the age of 18 and have the skills and knowledge to look after the land.

Is it difficult to find clean water for drinking and bathing?

Always drink bottled water. If you run out of bottled water, you can boil the water that the locals drink, bottle it and let it chill before drinking. Water-born diseases are common in all the countries and so, in order to avoid illnesses such as Hepatitis E, be careful!

For bathing purposes, water from the local wells is clean enough and good for the purpose. If you wish, you can boil the water before bathing in it or brushing your teeth in it.