Health and Mobility (Programming and Assessment): Uganda

Program overview

The community partner for Health and Mobility Programs in Uganda is TASO (The AIDS Support Organization). TASO is a grassroots non-governmental organization, started 26 years ago by a group of dedicated individuals wanting to create a support network for people living with HIV/AIDS. Originally framed as a support group, TASO has now grown to have 11 centers across the country, providing health care, psychosocial services, sensitization programs, and sustainable livelihoods programming to over 90,000 clients. TASO is internationally recognized for the work that it has done and the piece that it has played in combatting HIV in Uganda. The long term vision for TASO is to see a world without AIDS. Part of their work is to help prevent the rate of new infections in the country, but a significant portion of their work is aimed at supporting those with the virus (PLWHIV) to ‘live positively’. Through the sustainable livelihood programming and counseling support, TASO is able to provide communities with the tools to live full lives with the virus and prevention of transmission.

Working alongside staff at a national HIV/AIDS NGO, you will explore how HIV/AIDS intersects with highly mobile and/or remote populations in a specific region. For example, the placement may include assisting in working collaboratively on the development of low-resource interventions to become part of outreach programming that takes place during clinic days and training sessions. You will also work with staff to design assessment and evaluation tools to understand if interventions are positively impacting the desired target audiences.

This placement will require a high degree of initiative and problem-solving – you will be given the vision but will need to work closely with TASO staff to figure out how to work toward that vision, with very few resources. Ideally, you will have some experience in assessment methods coupled with self-initiative and problem-solving skills, and a willingness to learn!

Leading up to your placement (Pre-departure)

Pre-departure learning sessions take place in the term before you leave for your placement; it prepares you for an intensive International Service Learning experience.  During pre-departure you will:

1. Create a learning & development plan and review with your ISL Advisor
2. Explore learning topics at regular meetings with your placement team

Accommodations

You will be staying with host families in modest accommodations. In many cases you will need to take public transportation to reach your work site.

After you’ve returned (Post-placement)

After you’ve returned, you’ll regroup, reflect and work at unpacking the intensive experience you’ve had.  The schedule of post-placement activities includes:

1. A full day to debrief with advisors and peers (September 2014)
2. Presenting at an International Development Symposium (October 2014)

Program cost

We expect the program fee to be approximately $3,450 – $3,900*. Fees include:

• Room and board
• Pre-departure learning sessions
• Transportation to and from your placement**
• Orientation in Uganda
• Debrief and workshop part way through your placement
• Community partner management fee
• ISL project management fee

Airfare, visas and vaccinations are not included in the program fee. A return ticket to Uganda costs approximately $2,000 – $2,500. You will be required to bring your own laptop.

*Fees may be adjusted prior to offer
**You will also need to arrange your own transportation from the project site back to the airport at the end of the placement

Awards

If accepted into the ISL program, you will be automatically assessed for the $1,500 International Service Learning Award.