Uganda LVC LACROSSE INFORMATION PACKET VOLUNTEER CORPS. Coach. Serve. Learn. Play. Message from the founder & program director:

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Uganda LVC LACROSSE INFORMATION PACKET VOLUNTEER CORPS. Coach. Serve. Learn. Play. Message from the founder & program director:"

Felicia Reeves
5 years ago
Views:

LACROSSE VOLUNTEER CORPS Cach. Serve. Learn. Play.

prbably even mre s, ur vlunteer parents, have a lt f questins abut what the Lacrsse Vlunteer Crps

This is intended t help answer mst yur questins and includes: Fast Facts & FAQs Meal, Ldging,

designed t be a pwerful and inspiring experience; ne where yu harness yur passin fr service,

Simply put, I want this t be ne f the best experiences f yur life.

1 LACROSSE VOLUNTEER CORPS Cach. Serve. Learn. Play. Uganda LVC INFORMATION PACKET Message frm the funder & prgram directr: I knw vlunteers, and prbably even mre s, ur vlunteer parents, have a lt f questins abut what the Lacrsse Vlunteer Crps experience is all abut. This is intended t help answer mst yur questins and includes: Fast Facts & FAQs Meal, Ldging, Transprt, Safety Pre-Trip check list General Itinerary and Phts Packing list The LVC prgram is designed t be a pwerful and inspiring experience; ne where yu harness yur passin fr service, educatin and lacrsse int meaningful impact. I want yu t learn, grw, develp, and have fun. Simply put, I want this t be ne f the best experiences f yur life. If yu have additinal questins r cncerns after reviewing this dcument, PLEASE me and I will persnally respnd. In service, Kevin Dugan Funder & Directr kevin.dugan@fieldsfgrwth.rg Fields f Grwth PO Bx 2, Avn-by-the-Sea, NJ lacrssevlunteercrps.cm (888)

2 Uganda LVC Inf Packet Fast Facts t answer FAQs: Hw much des it cst? The Uganda LVC prgram csts $3,900, which includes airfare, rm and bard, grund transprt, service and cultural activities including a safari and emergency health insurance. It des nt include any additinal baggage fees beynd what yur airline ticket allws and it des nt include yur $50 visa t enter Uganda. Wh runs the prgram? Fields f Grwth was funded in 2010 by Ntre Dame Lacrsse alum, and frmer NCAA cach, Kevin Dugan. A native f Avn-by-the-Sea, NJ, Dugan nw lives between the USA, Uganda and Jamaica, where he directs the Lacrsse Vlunteer Crps (LVC) prgrams. Dugan crdinates the vlunteer activities in Uganda thrughut the experience. Shuld I feel cmfrtable visiting Uganda? Is it safe? Thusands f Americans visit Uganda each year and in 2012 Uganda was ranked #1 in Lnely Planet s Best in Travel. Uganda, like many develping cuntries, has a war trn past, but it is in the midst f a peaceful perid f relative prgress and develpment. The biggest security cncern in Uganda is ne we share here in the USA; terrrism frm radical Islamic extremists. There has nt been a majr attack in Uganda since tw islated suicide bmb blasts in 2010, which did nt stp us frm running ur prgram that summer. Our prgram has a strng track recrd ver the past five years, hwever, we cannt guarantee yur safety any mre than an vernight lacrsse camp in the USA will guarantee yur safety. Wh ges n these trips? The LVC is fr bth males and females and is typically attended by high schl & Cllege students, with strng participatin als cming frm recent cllege graduates, caches and even lacrsse Mms and Dads. Yu need t at least be a freshman in high schl t participate in the prgram. Over 250 vlunteers have traveled t Jamaica and Uganda with ur Lacrsse Vlunteer Crps prgram. While we have had MLL and US Natinal team players serve in ur prgram, yur skill level and experience is nt imprtant (We have actually had athletes frm ther sprts participate in the LVC and have a great experience). What yu d need is a strng wrk ethic, a passin fr lacrsse and a heart fr service. D I sign up by myself r with friends? Many vlunteers jin ur LVC grups as individuals, sme cme with a friend r a grup f teammates. Yu shuld feel free t sign up n yur wn r t cme with friends. Parents with a passin fr lacrsse are als welcme t jin us. In the past sme parents have stayed in nearby htels r resrts while their children were serving in the LVC. Where d we stay? What are the accmmdatins like? We stay in traditinal Ugandan guesthuses, which is similar t drm style husing. All f ur accmmdatins are cncrete structures with aluminum rfing and electricity. Is the water safe t drink? What d we eat? Vlunteers drink purified, bttled drinking water thrughut the LVC. Yu will have safe & simple, lcal meals. Typical breakfast: tast with 1

3 Uganda LVC Inf Packet butter and jam, beans, eggs, fresh fruit, tea, cffee, water. Typical lunch: Rice & beans, steamed green bananas, fresh fruit, peanut butter & jelly. Typical dinner: Beef r chicken stew ver rice, pasta with tmat & nin, beans, ptates and fresh fruit. It is very easy t be a vegetarian r g gluten free n ur trips. What shts d I need? The CDC recmmends that yu have all yur rutine shts and vaccinatins, the fllwing f which yu shuld already have; These vaccines include measlesmumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpx) vaccine, pli vaccine, and yur yearly flu sht. The CDC als suggests that yu get shrts fr Yellw Fever, Typhid and Hepatitis A. Yu will als need t get a prescriptin f Malaria pills frm yur dctr. D vlunteers ever get sick r injured? If s, what happens? Frtunately we have nt had any majr injuries r illnesses ver the past five years, but we are prepared in the case f an emergency. The district capitals f all f the lcatins we visit have hspitals. Lcal trading statins have clinics that can treat the mst cmmn health issues we face which are diarrhea and dehydratin. In the event f a serius r life-threatening injury we wuld ntify the US Embassy and immediate take the vlunteer t Kampala Internatinal Hspital. We the US Embassy s list f recmmended medical practitiners in the event that a vlunteer had any dental, specialist r pharmaceutical needs during their LVC experience. We purchase emergency health insurance that wuld enable us t fly a vlunteer hme in the event f a majr health emergency. Hw d we travel when we are n the grund? We travel in private, insured caster buses thrughut the experience. The Purpse f the Trip: Cach (and play): Yu will serve as a vlunteer cach thrughut the experience as we run clinics, but will als represent the USA in the Uganda Friendship Games where yu will play the Uganda Natinal Team. Serve: Yu will participate in service activities that enable yu t lve and uplift thers in need. (Assisting in service prjects and yuth develpment at the HOPEFUL schl, hme visits t deliver care packages and farming supplies and much, much, mre.) Learn: In additin t yur service e wrk and caching, yu will be n an experiential learning missin that tuches upn a multitude f cultural, plitical and sci-ecnmic tpics. *Culture & Fun: In additin t Caching, Serving and Learning, we will als be sure t wrk in time fr sme fun and culture. These activities g hand-in-hand with the experiential learning aspect f the prgram and include; a safari in Murchisn Falls Natinal Park, a musical 2

Uganda LVC Inf Packet perfrmance frm the

dancing lessns, friendly sccer, netball and

Phts t demystify the Uganda LVC Experience

website): Ntre Dame alum, Mlly Shawhan serving

A lk inside the means f transprt fr the LVC; a

4 Uganda LVC Inf Packet perfrmance frm the HOPEFUL chir, a rural village experience, dancing lessns, friendly sccer, netball and vlleyball matches. Phts t demystify the Uganda LVC Experience (Nte that there is a full virtual tur n ur website): Ntre Dame alum, Mlly Shawhan serving at the HOPEFUL schl Yung Trevr snacks n sme pumpkin in between lacrsse games. At the equatr during a Safari. A lk inside the means f transprt fr the LVC; a caster tur bus. A lk at a typical rm & bed during the LVC Experience. Spending time with children at the HOPEFUL schl. 3

5 Uganda LVC Inf Packet Sme f the schls we have had vlunteers frm: Adrian Cllege Flrida Atlantic University Mntclair HS Smers High Schl Alexander Dawsn Schl Flrida State Mnticell High Schl Suthern New Hampshire American University Frest Hills Eastern Munt Saint Mary's Univ St. Luis Priry Annaplis High Schl Fredericksburg Academy US Naval Academy Stanfrd Aquinas Cllege Gergetwn Neuqua Valley HS Stny Brk Archbishp Spalding Gergetwn Visitatin Newtwn HS SUNY Osweg Arizna State University Gettysburg Cllege Nrth Haven HS Temple University Chevy Chase High Schl Gill St. Bernard's Nrth Hunterdn HS Cathlic University Binghamtn University Greenwich Academy Nrthwestern University The Steward Schl Bishp Feehan HS Greenwich High Schl Nvat High The Steward Schl Blessed Trinity HS Guilfrd Cllege Nyack Cllege Twsn University Bstn Cllege Haddnfield High Schl NYU Trinity Cllege By's Latin Hamiltn Wenham Oakdale HS Unin Cllege Brphy Prep Hillcrest High Schl Ohi State United States Air Frce Bucknell University Hinsdale Central HS Oregn St. University High Schl C f Charlestn Hbart Owings Mills High Schl University f Cincinnati Caldwell University Hng Kng IS Pembrke Hill Schl University f Clrad Califrnia Plytechnic Indiana University f PA Pst University University f Delaware Canterbury Schl Indiana Princetn High Schl University f Idah Central Valley High Schl Islip High Schl Princetn University University f Michigan Charltte Cuntry Day Jhns Hpkins University Prctr Academy University f Ntre Dame Charltte Latin Schl Jrdan-Elbridge Radnr HS University f Richmnd Christian Brthers Academy Kent Denver Schl Randlph Macn Cllege University f Scrantn Claremnt McKenna Kent Schl RHAM HS University f Virginia Setn LaSalle HS La Csta Canyn Ridgewd HS Upper Merin High Schl Clgate University Lake Washingtn HS Ranke Cllege Vanderbilt University Cllegiate Schl Landn Schl Raring Frk High Schl Virginia Episcpal Schl Clumbia University Linganre HS Rbinsn HS Virginia Tech Crnell University LIU Pst Rumsn - Fair Haven HS Washingtn State University Crvallis High Schl Lyla Blakefield Rutgers University West Chester University Darien High Schl Lyla Marymunt Saint Jhns Cllege HS West Linn HS Denver University Lyla University Salmn River Western Cnnecticut Detrit Cuntry Day Schl Mahtmedi High Schl Setn LaSalle High Schl Westfield High Schl Dminican University Marblehead Shawnee High Schl Westminster High Schl Duxbury High Schl U f Maryland Shawnee Missin East Wheatn Eagle Valley HS Marywd University Shepherd University Willistn Nrthhamptn East Carlina University Misericrdia University Simmns Cllege Wiltn High Schl Episcpal Schl Mitchell Cllege Simn Fraser University Wiscnsin Farmingtn High Schl Mnre Twnship HS Smith Cllege 4

6 Uganda LVC Inf Packet Vital Pre-Trip Check List: Meet with a dctr and ensure yu have all yur shts and a prescriptin fr anti-malarial Pills Make sure yu have a passprt and a pht cpy f yur passprt $50 fr yur visa at the airprt upn arrival in Uganda. (Yu will apply fr yur visa nline, we will send yu the link as yur trip draws clser.) We will purchase yur internatinal health insurance. Our staff will have all this infrmatin in the event f an emergency, but yu d need t cmplete ur nline emergency health and cntact infrmatin frm. Scan and signed cpies f ur Scial Behavir Plicy, ur Waiver f Liability and ur Statement f Respnsibility t lacrsse@fieldsfgrwth.rg. Yu can als mail them t PO Bx 2, Avn, NJ Additinal spending mney: Yur primary n the grund expenses are all cvered, hwever yu shuld bring sme additinal spending mney if yu intend t purchase gifts fr family and friends. It is als nice t have a little mney in case yu want t buy the ccasinal Cca-Cla when we are traveling thrugh trading statins etc. $100 is plenty f extra spending mney. Yu can als use ATM machines in certain lcatins in the district centers. Our staff will assist yu with exchanging mney r ATM withdrawals. If yu intend t use an ATM card fr withdrawal, be sure t let yur bank knw in advance that yu are travelling t Uganda. Cntacts and cmmunicatin n the grund in Uganda: Arrival & cmmunicatin with yur family: When yu arrive in Uganda yu will walk ff the plane and get in line fr yur visa (Yu will need a $50 bill fr a visa t enter the cuntry - Yu d nt need t get a visa in advance). Then yu will mve t the baggage claim area. Once yu get yur bags yu will walk ut the ne and nly exit fr arrivals and will nt be able t miss the LVC supprt team. We will be there with signage. We will let vlunteers share ur cell phnes t call hme and let their parents knw they arrived safely. The vlunteers will share a cell phne thrughut the experience. Internet: Yu will have access t the internet apprximately 3 times during the LVC Experience. Lcal Cmmunicatin: All f ur Ugandan supprt staff all speak English, which is the natinal language f Uganda. The lcal language f Luganda is als spken, and we will teach yu sme basic phrases. Schl is taught in English and yu will have less f a prblem cmmunicating then yu might think. General Itinerary: Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airprt After yu get thrugh the line fr yur visa yu will g t the baggage claim carusel and get yur bags. Frm there yu will walk ut f the nly exit pssible frm the baggage claim area and see ur LVC staff there ready t meet yu. We will lad yur bags int ur cater bus, and then give yu a cell phne t call yur parents t let them knw yu made it safely. Please nte this culd be upwards f 1.5 hurs after yur flight arrives as it takes time t g thrugh the lines. 5

7 Uganda LVC Inf Packet We will have sme lcal Ugandan pizza when yu arrive and then check int the New City Annex Htel in Kampala (This is a US Peace Crps apprved and referred htel and is where we always stay when we are in Kampala.) Days 1-3: Uganda Friendship Games & Service in Kampala Lcatin: Entebbe & Kampala, New City Annex Htel Uganda Lacrsse Friendship Games; Girls HS Games, Yuth Games, Adult male & female league games. Main Event: Team Uganda v USA Vlunteer Team (Male and Female Games.) Service activities with Twekembe Slum Prject Days 4-9: Rural Village Experience Lcatin: Masaka District, HOPEFUL schl, Kalanda Family Guesthuse Activities: Yu will have a nice lk at what typical village life is like in rural Uganda. Yu will participate in lacrsse clinics, games and activities with children and d a lt f service wrk at the HOPEFUL schl, a schl built and funded by Fields f Grwth and the Lacrsse Vlunteer Crps. Additinal activities: Hme visits with rural Ugandan families. Visit the site f the first lacrsse clinic in Uganda and hear abut hw the cncept fr Fields f Grwth was develped. Receive an verview f varius village develpment effrts at HOPEFUL Uganda. Manual labr and service at the HOPEFUL schl (Painting, cleaning and farming.) Attend a perfrmance and receive dancing lessns frm the HOPEFUL children s chir Visit elderly shut-ins with care packages Get an verview f the USA s effrts t help fight the AIDS epidemic in Masaka, an epicenter f the AIDS epidemic. Visit Lake Victria. Days 10-11: Uganda Lacrsse League Event Management Lcatin: Entebbe & Kampala, New City Annex Htel Activities: Help with the rganizatin and executin f a majr lacrsse event with the Uganda Lacrsse Assciatin. Vlunteers will assist with event management, but will als participate and play in the event. Days 12-14: Safari Experience Lcatin: Frt Murchisn Nature Ldge, Murchisn Falls Natinal Park We will stay in a prtected and secured nature nestled int perimeter f Murchisn Falls Natinal Park, hme f a wide array f African wildlife. We will g n safari thrugh the park t bserve African wildlife; Lins, Elephants, Crcdiles, Hipps, Mnkeys, Water Buffal, Giraffes, Uganda Cbbs, a variety f birds, Wart Hgs, Lepards, and mre! Fllwing ur Safari we will spend ut last day n the beaches f Lake Victria in Entebbe, as we prepare fr ur flight hme. 6

8 Uganda LVC Inf Packet Packing List We will d laundry tw times during the trip, s please d nt ver pack: Generally speaking, pack like yu are ging t an vernight lacrsse camp fr ne full week. 1 hdie t keep yu warm in the evenings. 1 lightweight windbreaker / thin water repellant cat. 2 Lightweight khakis / nyln pants ( Patagnia / Nrth Face type r lightweight cttn khakis) 3-4 Pairs f Athletic/Lacrsse Shrts Girls shuld avid shrts utside f sprts. They shuld stick t lng skirts r Capri pants. 1 pair f jeans 1 Lightweight glf shirt r lightweight buttn dwn. 8 T-Shirts 8 pairs f underwear Bring 1 pair f running sneakers, 1 pair f sandals & 1 pair f cleats.(cnsider bringing ld sneakers and cleats t wear that yu might be able t give away at the end f yur trip. ) Wmen shuld plan t dress mdestly, d nt bring n make-up. Medicatin/prescriptins used regularly (In emergency mst prescriptins can be acquired at Pharmacies in Kampala and District Centers.) Aspirin r ther pain reliever, cld medicatin/decngestant Eye drps and eyewash if yu have cntacts Travel sickness medicine if yu are prne t mtin sickness Sunscreen Small, travel sized first-aid kit. Yu can typically purchase these at mst majr pharmacies r Walmart. Dedrant, Sap and shamp, Msquit repellant, Vitamin supplements (if yu take them) Hand wipes and/r antibacterial hand wash. Backpack Water Bttle 1 light weight twel Extra pair f glasses/cntacts if yu wear them. Sunglasses & a hat Granla bars/cliff Bars/energy snacks Pwdered drinking mix (yu can mix this with yur water if yu want, ptinal) Small flashlight Outside f sme f the mre valuable and nicer clthes yu pack, please cnsider leaving sme f these items in Uganda at the end f yur trip; twel, tiletries, scks, ld t-shirts etc. Electrnics: Yu can bring a camera, but must bserve ur media plicy (See scial behavir plicy). Mst vlunteers d bring their smart phnes t take pictures, listen t music and t use the internet when we have access t Wi-Fi. D nt bring a laptp unless yu plan n ding serius blgging, vide wrk r high level phtgraphy and need t use yur laptp fr writing r file strage. 7

9 Uganda LVC Inf Packet Dnatins: In additin t bringing persnal clthes and necessities fr the LVC experience, vlunteers are als encuraged t pack dnatin items. Yu will be permitted t travel with a carry-n bag, a back pack and tw large checked bags, yu are encuraged t reserve at least ne full checked bag fr dnatins. Vlunteers shuld run used equipment and stick drives within their teams and lcal lacrsse cmmunities. Dnatins are als appreciated fr the HOPEFUL schl. Here is a list f sme suggested items: Men s & Wmen s sticks. If yu are packing a lt f sticks, unscrew the heads prir t packing as it helps yu save space. Lacrsse Balls Men s equipment: Helmets & glves are the main pririty, then elbw pads. Shulder pads are nt a pririty right nw. Yellw Flags fr Officials and Whistles Stick kit items (Athletic tape, ld mesh pckets, sidewall string etc.) Jck Straps with Athletic Cups Lacrsse DVDs and Game film (Men s and Wmen s.) Lacrsse Rule Bks Lacrsse Magazines and bks Children s bks Office & Schl Supplies Jlly Ranchers (they are small and individually wrapped which makes them easy t hand ut t children.) Basic First Aid Supplies Lacrsse gear/clthing. Cleats/Children s Shes/Sneakers Deflated sccer balls, basketballs, vlleyballs, rugby balls, frisbees What nw? If yu wuld like t jin the Lacrsse Vlunteer Crps yu will need t: Sign up nline via the registratin link at and select the sessin yu wuld like t attend. We will then yu t cllect yur flight infrmatin and send yu an invice fr yur depsit. D nt hesitate t us with any fllw up questins r t set up a phne call. Yu can reach us at lacrsse@fieldsfgrwth.rg Sprt has the pwer t change the wrld. It has the pwer t unite in a way that little else des. It speaks t yuth in a language they understand. Sprt can create hpe where nce there was nly despair. It is mre pwerful than gvernments in breaking dwn racial barriers. It laughs in the face f all types f discriminatin. Nelsn Mandela 8

Uganda LVC LACROSSE INFORMATION PACKET VOLUNTEER CORPS. Coach. Serve. Learn. Play. Message from the founder & program director:

Uganda LVC LACROSSE INFORMATION PACKET VOLUNTEER CORPS. Coach. Serve. Learn. Play. Message from the founder & program director: LACROSSE VOLUNTEER CORPS Cach. Serve. Learn. Play. Uganda LVC INFORMATION PACKET Message frm the funder & prgram directr: I knw vlunteers, and prbably even mre s, ur vlunteer parents, have a lt f questins