Xavier Project Volunteer Pack

About Xavier Project

Welcome note Karibu and thank you for choosing to volunteer with Xavier Project! We really appreciate your time and dedication. By volunteering with us you automatically become part of the wider XP family and hopefully share a belief in our philosophy outlined below. Our vision: We believe that everyone has the right to equal opportunities wherever they live and whatever their background. Globally this right is denied to refugees and we use education to change this. Education provides protection and is the best possible tool to help refugees to access equal opportunities. At Xavier Project we use pioneering education as the means to achieve our vision. We are promoting education for refugees in Kenya and Uganda in particular so that they can have a positive difference on their communities, whether in their host countries or countries of origin.

We hope this pack will be useful in preparing you for your trip to Nairobi or Kampala. If you have any further questions, please contact Mary Rowlatt via email on [email protected]

Our History 2008

Edmund Page founded Xavier Project after witnessing the difficulties faced by refugee children while volunteering in a community run school in Kampala, Uganda. Edmund organised a ball at St. Andrew’s University and raised £1,500 to pay the school fees for 10 Congolese refugee children. This was the birth of Xavier Project’s scholarship programme.

2009

Edmund travelled to Nairobi, Kenya where he extended the scholarship programme with a similar number of children being enrolled in secondary school with fees covered by Xavier Project.

2010

Xavier Project recruited two staff members to co-ordinate the sponsorship programmes in Kampala and Nairobi while Edmund remained in London teaching English. A livelihoods department was initiated to promote sustainable livelihoods for refugee parents with the secondary goal of increasing enrolment of refugees at school whose main barrier to access was lack of means to pay school fees.

2011

In September of 2011 Edmund moved to Nairobi full-time.

2012

Xavier Project opened two offices and the first full-time employees were recruited. A third department, Tamuka, was launched as a platform for refugees to be able to collaborate and speak out about the realities of their lives.

2013

Kenya and Uganda Xavier Project staff met for the first time in Asembo, Kenya, for a four day conference. The first London Ball was launched and the St Andrews Ball continued as an annual event.

2014

Xavier Project was awarded a contract to implement education interventions in urban areas of Kenya for UNHCR. The team continued to grow with 20 full time staff members by the end of the year.

2015

During their annual conference, staff set out Xavier Project’s vision and mission. Tamuka opened a learning Hub in Kenya and the Education team opened a children’s library in Uganda.

2016

Exciting plans are under way for 2016 and we look forward to what you will bring to the table!

Preparation

Travel – Part I Passport The first thing to do in organizing your trip is to make sure your passport is valid for travel: • Your passport must have at least two blank pages in it. • Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the (approx.) date you are due to return to home. Flights The next thing to do in organizing your trip is to book flights to either Kenya or Uganda depending on where you plan to spend most of your time with Xavier Project. Many airlines fly in and out of Uganda and Kenya. It is best to look around to find the best prices and to book early for the cheapest rates. Websites such as www.skyscanner.net/ are very useful for providing flight comparisons. It is very common for flights to and from East Africa to involve a stop over and this can often represent a significant saving. However, it is also possible to book direct flights if you prefer. Airport in Kenya: Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the main airport in Kenya for international flights. It is located in the south east of Nairobi, approx 30 mins from XP office in Nairobi dependant on traffic! A taxi can be arranged by Xavier Project and should cost around 2,000 KES (£15) to the Xavier Project Guest House or office. Airport in Uganda: Entebbe International Airport is the main airport in Uganda for international flights. It is located in Entebbe, 40km from the capital Kampala and approx. 1 hour from XP office in Kampala. A taxi can be arranged by Xavier Project and should cost around 80,000 Ugandan Shillings (£16) to the Xavier Project Guest House or office.

Travel – Part II Visiting both Xavier Project offices Our offices: Many of our volunteers take the opportunity to visit both Xavier Project offices in Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda. Travel between the two is easy and relatively inexpensive. Travel: The best ways to travel between Nairobi and Kampala are either by bus or flying. There are a number of coach companies (e.g. Easy Coach, Modern Coast) running an efficient service which is possible to book a few days in advance. The bus takes roughly 14 hours, costs around 3,000 KES (£25) and the journey can be done during the day or at night. Flights are more expensive at 15,000 KES+ (£100+) but the flight is only an hour. Getting around Kampala: Travelling within Kampala is cheap; there are frequent buses, taxis, mini buses and motorbike taxis (Boda bodas). Special hires (taxis) charge more, while Boda bodas charge not more than £3 for any distance within the boundaries of Kampala depending on one’s bargaining power. Nairobi: Travelling around Nairobi is easy and relatively cheap on local buses or matatus (small minibuses). Bus numbers 32 and 8 stop at the Olympic stage in Kibera where our Guest House and Office are located. You can also get around on Boda Bodas (motorbike taxis) which are more expensive but you can bargain for, or you can use taxis which will cost more again.

Travel – Part III Travelling around Kenya and Uganda are both incredibly beautiful countries with an endless amount of things to do for tourists. Both countries are famous for animal spotting so a safari is a must but there is also plenty of hiking, water based activities and just relaxing in beautiful surroundings! The best thing to do is buy a guide book so that you can plan activities that you want to do the most. The staff at Xavier Project will also have good suggestions as to what you might do while you’re hear so don’t hesitate to ask. Getting around in Kenya: There are several bus companies which can take you to every corner of Kenya including Easy Coach and Modern Coast. Buses do not book far in advance so you can be quite flexible about the dates of your travel. You can fly to a few locations in Kenya including the coast and this can be reasonably priced if you book in advance. Airlines include Fly540, Kenyan Airways and JamboJet. Getting around in Uganda: Travelling around Uganda depends on what means one wishes to use but either way it is very easy and safe to travel to all parts of the country since Uganda has a variety of travel agencies, and public means, that is through taxis, bus and special hires. Getting around the region: You can also use the bus companies mentioned above to reach other countries in the region including Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia, but journeys can take a very long time. If you can book in advance flying can be very reasonable and cut your journey time down. It is best to check websites such as www.skyscanner.net for the most competitive prices and airline options.

Entry Requirements You must obtain a visa and a vaccination certificate for Yellow Fever before entering both Kenya and Uganda East Africa Tourist Visa (Multiple entry): If you are planning on visiting both countries it will be worth applying for the East Africa tourist visa which is a multiple entry visa valid for 90 days. This means you can travel between Kenya, and Uganda without worrying about visas at the borders. For British Passport holders this costs £70 from the Uganda or Kenya High Commission. You will likely need to leave your passport with the High Commission for at least a few days for the visa to be processed. Kenya or Uganda Tourist Visa (Single entry): A single entry tourist visa can be purchased for either Kenya or Uganda, this is valid for 90 days. The cost for these are $50 for the Kenyan visa and $100 for the Ugandan visa. You may be able to apply for these visas online or upon arrival at the airport in Kenya or Uganda. Please check exact requirements and information on the website of the Kenya or Uganda High Commission or Embassy in your country of residence well before your planned travel dates to ensure you have the correct visa Visa Application To apply for a visa you will need: • Passport valid for one year from proposed date of travel. • Passport sized photographs. • The correct visa fee (check on the High Commission in case it changes). • Address and contact details of where staying in Kenya/Uganda (Please contact Mary for details [email protected]) Yellow Fever vaccination certificate A yellow fever vaccination certificate can be obtained from your GP or another certified professional upon administration of your vaccination. against Yellow Fever.. Please ensure you are vaccinated a minimum of 2 weeks before your planned travel date.

Travel Insurance It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance before you travel. This should cover medical expenses, theft/loss of belongings as well as any additional activities you might be doing for leisure e.g. safari. Tips: • Make sure your travel insurance covers all locations that you intend to visit including specific towns and cities • If you have items of significant value you might want to name these on your insurance policy to ensure you are reimbursed for their full value. • Look at exactly what your policy covers and the excess costs as you may want to pay a higher premium to cover additional activities or reduce excess costs. • It’s a good idea to take photographs of your belongings before you travel which could make claiming on your policy easier in the event of lost, stolen or damaged luggage. • Print your insurance policy and make a note of your policy number to keep somewhere safe and on your person. • Make a note of any phone numbers you might need for emergencies e.g. travel disruption or medical care.

Health Medical Insurance We strongly advise that volunteers take out health insurance for their trip. You should print the details of the insurance policy including emergency numbers and how to make a claim. Vaccines Once you have booked your flights you should book an appointment with your local GP or travel nurse. You should inform them which areas you are travelling to and discuss which vaccinations you will need as well as possible malaria pills. This must also be done as early as possible as some vaccination courses can take four or five weeks. Here is a list of vaccinations that are typically recommended when visiting East Africa: Cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Meningitis, Polio, Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid, Yellow Fever. Other health considerations There are standard good health practices to consider when travelling such as : • Ensuring drinking of boiled water/sealed bottled water. • Sleeping under mosquito nets, • Washing hands regularly with antibacterial soap. • In case of an emergency there are a number of health facilities in Kenya and Uganda, there are National referral hospitals that are run by government. They tend to be well staffed and equipped. Please note: The Xavier Project will do everything in its power to ensure you have a safe and healthy trip but CANNOT take responsibility for the health of volunteers.

Money Cash It is possible to get both Kenyan shillings (KES) and Ugandan shillings (UGX) from ATMs at the major banks when you are there but it is a good idea to be prepared before. Money can be ordered from your local currency exchange. We recommend checking out price compare travelmoneymax.com for competitive rates. It is advisable to carry some US dollars in cash. These can be used for visas at the borders or for payment of National Park fees which are payable to all National Parks visited in Kenya or Uganda for the protection of animals and upkeep of the parks etc. Access to ATMs It is easy to access money in both Kenya and Uganda with a visa card and the local currency is the most useful. There are a range of banks like Barclays, but please be aware there will be conversion fee. Inform your bank at home before you travel It is advisable to warn your bank which countries you will be travelling to and how long you will be abroad for. Otherwise your card could be blocked when you try to take money out of an ATM in East Africa. Money Transfers / Exchange A number of forex bureaus exist in almost every town. There are also Money gram and western union which specialize in money transfer.

What do I pack? This is a list of essentials for travelling in East Africa but is by no means a comprehensive list so do pack anything else you think you might need. It is possible to purchase most things you could need, prices may just be higher out here. Plug sockets are the same as in the UK. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Travel documents: Passport and (photocopies of it), passport photos, visas Written phone numbers (in case phone runs out of battery) Insurance documents Mobile phone (sim cards in Kenya and Uganda can be bought but you need to bring a photo and your passport along when you purchase it so that it can be registered) Technology: Laptop, USB memory stick, camera, chargers, torch Water purification tablets Sunglasses / hat / hair ties First aid kit, mosquito net, insect repellent (preferably containing DEET), , malaria pills Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, Anti-bacterial shower gel / medicated soap / hand wash High factor sun cream, after sun Map of Uganda / Kenya, guide books Reading material, playing cards Strong foot wear, durable flip flops Long sleeved cool tops and long trousers for wearing after dusk Swimwear and a Sarong (which can double as a towel) Spending money Leatherman / Swiss Army knife is useful (or at least a bottle opener) Anything you might crave: marmite, Twinings tea

Medical Kit Here are a few suggestions of items to pack in your medical kit, but this list is not exhaustive: • Antihistamine - useful as a decongestant for colds and allergies, to ease the itch from insect bites or stings and to help prevent motion sickness. • Antibiotics - useful if you're travelling well off the beaten track, but they must be prescribed and you should carry the prescription with you • Loperamide (e.g. Imodium) or Lomotil for diarrhoea; prochlorperazine (e.g. Stemetil) or metaclopramide (e.g. Maxalon) for nausea and vomiting • Rehydration mixture - for treatment of severe diarrhoea and dehydration • Antiseptic cream and wipes for cuts and grazes • Multivitamins - especially for long trips when dietary vitamin intake may be inadequate (Note: these can’t be taken with doxycycline malarial prophylaxis) • Calamine lotion or aluminium sulphate spray to ease irritation from bites and stings • Pain killers e.g. paracetamol • Bandages and Band-aids - for minor injuries. • Scissors, tweezers and a thermometer (note that mercury thermometers are prohibited by airlines) • Insect repellent, sunscreen, chap stick • Cold and flu tablets and throat lozenges

Life as a volunteer

Life as a volunteer As a volunteer you’ll have opportunities to delve into a wide variety of different things during your time here. Xavier Project has a great range of interests all under the umbrella mission of empowering refugees which means, whatever your particular area of interest or expertise, you can make a real contribution. Xavier Project also greatly values the insight offered by volunteers and the perspective of someone looking at it with new eyes and so there’s always an opportunity to take on something new and expand Xavier Project in a unique way. Office: There’s always loads going on in the offices in Kampala and Nairobi and plenty for volunteers to delve into whether it be writing articles, reports and proposals or getting stuck into research. This is where your own laptop really comes in handy. Field: Xavier Project also provides opportunities for volunteers to go into the field and contribute ‘on the ground’. A good mix of field and office work is what makes for the best experience. Whether you’re meeting refugees in order to gather data or lending a hand with private tuition, getting out in the field is a great way to see the impact of the work Xavier Project does. Opportunities for Travel: Volunteering for Xavier Project is flexible. This provides you with great chances to get out and see as much of Africa as you can. Weekends provide a good time to get into the cities and see the sights or even take an overnight bus to an attraction further afield and you can tag a few extra days on to weekend trips to make them worthwhile. You should just let us know if when you will be spending time travelling.

Accommodation Xavier Project Guest Houses We run Guest Houses in both Kampala and Nairobi offering friendly basic accommodation at a subsidised cost. We offer rates including meals, however we also allow special arrangements for private cooking. Both are located within a few minutes walking distance to our offices so are very convenient for volunteers. Kampala: The Guest House in Kampala is located in Nsambya next door to Tamuka Hub, the Education department and the Children’s Library. It is managed by Jackie who is a great cook! The Guest house is located on Hanlon road, it has a red gate with Xavier Project written on it. There is a bar called Texas Club on the opposite side of the road which is a good landmark in case you need to tell a taxi driver. Single occupancy room: 60,000 UGX (with meals - 3 meals per day) / 50,000 UGX (with breakfast only) Dorm room: 40,000 UGX (with meals - 3 meals per day) / 30,000 UGX (with breakfast only) Nairobi: The Guest House in Nairobi is located in Olympic Estate next to the famous Kibera slums, this offers a unique experience in Nairobi. Our office is just a few minutes away from the Guest House and you can buy anything you could ever dream of within Olympic or Kibera. The Olympic area is safe and the Guest House has a locked gate and is also situated within a gated compound with a night watchman. It is managed by Rebecca who knows the area very well! Single occupancy room: 1,400 KES (with meals - 2 meals per day) / 1,100 KES (no meals) Dorm room : 1,100 KES (with meals - 2 meals per day) / 850 KES (no meals) The Guest House is located next to Olympic Primary School which is also a good landmark in case you need to tell a taxi or boda boda driver.

Kick start Kiswahili Lesson Greetings Greetings are important in East Africa and you don't launch into a conversation or even ask a question without first saying "hello, how are you?". • • • • • •

Hello = Jambo How are you? = Habari gani? Fine (response) = Nzuri Goodbye = Kwa heri / Kwa herini (more than one peson) See You Later = Tutaonana Goodnight = Lala salama

Civilities • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Yes = Ndiyo No = Hapana Thank you = Asante Please = Tafadhali OK = Sawa Excuse me = Samahani You're Welcome = Karibu Can you help me? = Tafadhali, naomba msaada What is your name? = Unaitwa nani? My name is = Nai twa... Where are you from? = Unatoka wapi? I'm from .. = Natoka ... Friend = Rafiki May I take a picture? = Naomba kupiga picha?

• • • •

Do you speak English? = Unasema kiingereza? Do you speak Swahili? = Unasema Kiswahili? Just a little bit = Kidogo tu! I don't understand = Sielewi

Getting Around • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Where is the ... = ni wapi ... Airport = uwanja wa ndege Bus stop = bas stendi Bank = benki Market = soko Police station = kituo cha polisi Post Office = posta Tourist Office = ofisi ya watali Toilet/bathroom = choo What time is the ... leaving? = inaondoka saa ... ngapi? Bus = basi Minibus = matatu (Kenya); dalla dalla (Tanzania) Is there a bus going to ...? = Kuna basi ya ...? I'd like to buy a ticket = Nataka kununua tikiti Is it near = Ni karibu? Is it far = Ni mbali Where are you going? = Unakwenda wapi? How much is the fare? = Nauli ni kiasi gani? Where can I find a ... = Naweza kupata ... wapi? I'm sick = mimi ni mgonjwa

Our Contact Details Kenya Xavier Project Olympic Estate Kibera, Nairobi Main contacts: Mary Rowlatt – [email protected] Edmund Page – [email protected]

UK Furzey Hill, Meysey Hampton, Cirencester, Glos, GL7 5LD Charity No: 1153638 Main contact: Josie Middleton – [email protected]

Uganda Xavier Project Tamuka Hub Nsambya Gogonya Kampala Main contact: Kate Frewer – [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Keep in touch! Thank you so much for the time you have donated to Xavier Project! Welcome to the Xavier Project family. Our friends and family are our greatest assets and we hope to keep in touch with you… What can I do now that I am home? We are always open to hear our volunteer’s thoughts on what they can do to continue to support Xavier Project. If you would like some suggestions then please see list below: - Spread the word! -Sponsor a Xavier Project student. - Organise a fundraising event – either through sport (10kms, half marathons or if you’re really brave a full one!), bake sale, wine tasting, dinner parties, raffles at work. - Get involved in organising our London fundraising ball. -Be a mentor for one of our students! How can I keep in touch? Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xavierproject/?fref=ts Twitter: https://twitter.com/xavierproj JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/xavierproject/