GIDCCO Uganda is an independent, indigenous Community based Organization providing education, and foster families for orphans whose parents died of AIDS; and also supporting foster families and widows of AIDS victims through counseling, material support and school dues.

Please help us

Our work is -

* Reaching younger children for spiritual welfare, Christ and Counseling.
* School children converge at GIDCCO secretariat for counseling.
* Film show and preaching the gospel.
* Support children with direct school sponsorship
* Providing intensive Bible teachings and motivation for Bible learning.
* Behaviors change workshops for youth and vulnerable children in school and out of the school.
* Life skills workshops, counseling, choose freedom seminars.
* Participating in national AIDS awareness, campaigns and activities.
* Adventure unlimited seminar for children aged 9-14 years.
* Film shows and gift giving.
* National and Regional music drama and fine Art festivals.

Orphans in need of sponsorship
We do have six orphans in our project. But all are staying with their foster families. However, it is our responsibility to monitor them at school, at home, giving them counseling and all the basic necessities.

Evangelist Fred developed the vision to support the needy children and guardians, in his compassion and tender heart for the children but he is struggling. He needs some one with the same vision to come and rescue the young blood.



Sponsorship is needed so that they can acquire basic education. 25 US$ per month can be enough for school dues and scholastic materials. However, out of your generosity you can decide to send some clothing, bibles for spiritual welfare and many other Christian materials for them.

If you are able to help please complete this form.

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Telephone number
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Volunteering

Uganda, known as the Pearl of Africa because of its beautiful landscape, rivers, lakes, mountains and friendly people, is one of the continents most beautiful and inspirational countries and GIDCCO is lucky enough to be based in Jinja, a town that sits on the edge of The Mighty White Nile

We are very happy that you are interested to volunteer with GIDCCO organization's programs. We feel honored to have you come and volunteer with us.

GIDCCO will enable you to get involved at grass roots level. All we ask for is your time, energy, faith and trust. Please consider volunteering with us, you will be making a huge impact in our community.

Who Are Our Volunteers?
Everyone can be of service. GIDCCO Volunteers have no professional requirements for participation. Volunteers typically share common characteristics such as flexibility, compassion, a sense of adventure, and most important, the desire to work with and learn from local people in the host community. Volunteers are drawn from all occupations and backgrounds, and from throughout the world. Each volunteer selects a service program that best employs their experience and interests, and a program where the volunteer feels engaged in a community project of lasting benefit.
Volunteers must be in good health and have the mental and physical capability to function as a team member. Therefore if you're open to new challenges and enjoy working with and learning from local people, then you can contribute to and benefit from a service-learning program. What we ask of you is flexibility, patience, a spirit of adventure, and a sense of hum our. Most Ugandan cultures are very friendly though some provide a greater degree of predictability than others due to cultural norms.

It is also important to emphasis that you are dealing with another culture when you are volunteering internationally. How you would approach a particular situation in your own country does not necessary mean it is appropriate to handle it in the same way in Uganda. Your time and commitment to the program is of course valued but please remember you are a guest of the country and will no doubt be looked at as a representative of your homeland.

GIDCCO Organization's strives to provide a better future for some of the most vulnerable children and women in Uganda . The need is expansive and long-term, so your opportunity to make a significant difference through service is likewise invaluable. Think about how much you receive when you give and consider why you want to volunteer. You may have several different reasons. However, if you are someone who has an open mind and flexible and would like:

To share a skill
To get to know a community
To demonstrate commitment to a cause/belief
To gain leadership skills
To donate your professional skills
To have an impact
To learn something new
To make new friends
To explore a career
To do something different from your job
For fun!
For religious reasons
To keep skills alive
To be an agent of change

Then GIDCCO is your rightful place to be.
GIDCCO welcomes individuals and groups of 18+ years old and from different backgrounds. We do encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Early enrolment allows you extra time for visa processing and also allows you to make your travel arrangements earlier and perhaps more affordably.

Frequently asked questions about Volunteering with GIDCCO

Q. How can I be certain GIDCCO is a legitimate organization?
GIDCCO itself on its honesty and integrity and is fully recognized by the Non-governmental organization's Board of the ministry of internal affairs of the Republic of Uganda. We'll be happy to send you a copy of our annual report or even send you contact details of people from other countries who have volunteered with us.

Q. Can I come at any time of the year?
A. Yes, you can come any time of the year, however for those coming specifically for volunteer teaching, Due to the school calendar in Uganda; GIDCCO can place you within the following periods (terms) in the year:
(a) JANUARY through APRIL (1st School Term)
(b) MAY through AUGUST (2nd School Term)
(c) SEPTEMBER through DECEMBER (3rd School Term)
However, there is a need to note that sometimes the school schedule changes without prior notice. Therefore In case of any changes we ask the participating volunteer to be very flexible.

Q. Will accommodation be provided?
A. Yes, GIDCCO will give you accommodation (at times to share with another volunteer ) If one so wishes you can also live with a family in a community.
As a volunteer you will be expected to maintain a reasonable standard of cleanliness in your surroundings. This would include keeping your living space clean and tidy as well as your personal hygiene to a high standard. Daily showers/ washes are recommended as well as ensuring clothing is washed regularly.

Q. Meals and Food?
A. Yes, 3 meals will provided each day which will consist of local foods, such as matooke (mashed plantain), posho (corn bread), potatoes, and rice. They are generally served with beef, chicken, fish, beans, or groundnut sauce. Bread ,milk eggs and fruits are also available for breakfast.
However special arrangements can be made for special needs person, days or events.
GIDCCO will provide all the meals from the funds paid (program fee) by the volunteer. Almost 90% of the program fee donation goes to costs of the volunteers up-keep during his or her stay with GIDCCO.

Q. What is the program fee donation for?
A. Your program fee donation fee covers the following:
(a) Arranging for, organizing your placement, accommodation and meals.
(b) Airport meeting and pickup, and drop offs.
(c) GIDCCO Administrations.

Q. Are there other costs?
A. Yes, you have to budget for bottled (or bagged) water, lunch and dinner and transportation when you are out on your personal entertainment, touring or site seeing, and other personal needs. You will need a weekly budget of approximately US$25 to cater for all your other expenses like bottled water, personal costs, beverages and entertainment.

Q. When and how should I pay my participation fee?
A. The program fee should be deposited into GIDCCO Bank Account before or upon your arrival in Uganda. (The money can be deposited on GIDCCO's US bank account or the one in Uganda) An official invitation will be sent to you for your visa application. This fee is required to cover expenses while you are on the program. The program fee is non refundable.

Q. How much is the program Fee?
A. Its negotiable depending on how long one is going to stay. Volunteers can alternatively cater for their own meals and other expenses and only let us arrange for their accommodation. In such a case, they will be no charge for a program fee.

Q. What happens when I arrive in Uganda ?
A. You will be met at the airport by the program Director. But prior to your departure from your country, you'll be given detailed directives by email on what to do when you land at Entebbe international airport. From the airport you are taken right to the GIDCCO offices( if you arrive early in the day) were you will be given information regarding your accommodation arrangements and then later the program Officer will be able to give you a detailed orientations or an induction in reference to your program placement and the cultural aspects of Ugandan people.

Q. What happens in case of an emergency?
A. In case of an emergency you can be reached through the Program Director. Telephones and Email are very accessible in Jinja-Uganda, and regular contact with your friends and family can also take place through postal mail. In addition,
Uganda has adequate medical care, including international hospitals to address most illnesses that you might face while you are abroad.

Q. Can I fund-raise for my trip ?
A. Yes, you can certainly fund raise on your own!
We are a registered Uganda non-governmental organization and you can
use this fact when fundraising.
Please let us know if you would like to receive fundraising ideas, and we will email you further information. Fundraising can often be quite a challenging task but Remember that with effort and dedication, you can be a successful fundraiser.

Q. Will I be able to join the program with a friend or family member?
A. Yes. We encourage participants to come with a friend or spouse.

Q. How does GIDCCO address the language barrier?
A. The people and cultures of Uganda are composed of over 50 ethnic groups, resulting in a multitude of native languages. Most Ugandans are fluent in a local language of Luganda. Although many people can read and write English, which is the official
language and widely taught in Schools.

Q. How do GIDCCO volunteer participants educate about HIV/AIDS?
A. In terms of content, the focus of the message is prevention.
This requires that we teach the basic biological facts about the virus, the progression of the disease in the body, the primary modes of transmission, and the most effective
methods of prevention. While teaching, we encourage students and community members to share with us what they already know. This allows us to assess their knowledge of HIV/AIDS and design an appropriate workshop. In the end, the goal is to give the audience the tools that they need to make informed decisions.

We cannot be there every time our students or community members hear a new myth or story about the disease. What we can do we is to help them to think rationally about HIV & AIDS and determine for themselves if what they are hearing is true.
GIDCCO participants use a variety of methods to get our message across including games, role-play, lectures, question and answer sessions, music, and skits. To convey basic information, an introductory talk is often necessary.

Participants should do their best to keep these talks as interactive as possible in order to keep the audience engaged. Participants should also be aware that many Ugandans already know basic information about HIV/AIDS. It is imperative that GIDCCO participants try to find out the knowledge base of the focus group and adapt the workshop accordingly. As a GIDCCO participant, you will receive training in both the content and method of AIDS instruction from reading materials, from workshops in Uganda, and from local health professionals who assist us on the project.

Q. Will I get sick when I am there?
A. GIDCCO organization informs you about the vaccinations that you will need to protect yourself in Uganda. In addition, you will need to take two basic precautions: prevent mosquito bites and avoid contaminated water. While this sounds very hard, it is actually
quite easy with just a little bit of effort and planning. Of course, the change in diet can cause an occasional upset stomach. Still, with the proper precautions, this minor discomfort is the only illness you should have to endure.

As with travel anywhere, awareness and sensibility are your best tools for preventing illness. Make sure that the meat and vegetables you eat have been thoroughly cooked. If you want fresh fruit, eat an orange, a mango - something that you can peel open. Also, always carry mosquito repellent!

Q. Is it safe to volunteer in Uganda, Africa, particularly as a woman?
A. The combination of spreading poverty and the presence of wealthy travellers has led to theft in Uganda's only capital city of Kampala. Fortunately, this activity is limited primarily to Kampala city and can be avoided with a little common sense. Those who do fall victim to crime most often find that they have only been relieved of some possessions, but have suffered no significant physical harm. However, the areas where
our participants are placed are likely as safe, if not safer, than what you experience at home.

For obvious reasons, women do have to be more cautious. Ugandans have a different sense of personal space. As a result, you may at times feel uncomfortable with the amount and type of attention you are getting. Coping with this type of discomfort will
certainly be one of the challenges of your inter cultural experience. However, in the vast majority of such cases, there is no threat to your person or possessions. If you take appropriate caution, it is unlikely that you will ever be in a situation that is unsafe.

Q. What about safety with respect to the current political situation?
A. The majority of Uganda with the exception of northern Uganda is peaceful and very safe, though there are occasionally demonstrations on Kampala streets. Kampala city is further away from Jinja district where GIDCCO organization works. Much of GIDCCO's work is in rural areas away from the cities. These areas are most likely safer than your own home area. The pace of life is relaxed, and these areas almost never experience political violence or general unrest. Many participants travel during time off or after the program, and GIDCCO organization is not responsible for safety before/after the program or during activities not related to the program.

GIDCCO organization develops regular national risk assessments, by consulting a variety of sources within the country (e.g. government authorities, partner organizations and the national and international media) These risk assessments objectively analyze the levels of safety and security within Uganda .

Q. Can I cash my VISA or MasterCard or Travelers checks?
A. You can cash your VISA, MasterCard and Travelers Checks in any branch of Barclays Bank (Only in Entebbe , Jinja & Kampala). However, you must carry with you the travelers checks receipts.

Q. Do I need to take any shots?
A. Yes! Obligatory for all visitors to Uganda is the YELLOW FEVER inoculation. The vaccination must be taken at least 10 days before the journey. Please consult your physician for the appropriate medication for Malaria too.

Q. Suppose I would like to extend my stay of working with GIDCCO, can this be possible?
A. Yes, this is possible. However, you will need to discuss this with the GIDCCO administrator before you can change your flight schedules.

Q. How best can I be of help in the community?
A. GIDCCO is currently concentrating its effort and activities within the remote areas of Jinja ,Gulu, Kamuli, Iganga, and Mayuge districts, though we are registered as an CBO to operate nation wide.
Our development programs are not only focused on restoring people and their communities to their pre-crisis conditions, they also focus on establishing a process that enables those in need to build a self sufficient and self sustaining lifestyle as a community. Our development programs strive to permanently break the bonds and cycle of poverty of individuals, families and their communities.

Q. Are there some Projects, which need our collective attention and funding?
A. Yes, GIDCCO does not encourage handout approach when helping the community. Our development programs are not only focused on restoring people and their communities to their pre-crisis conditions, they also focus on establishing a process that enables those in need to build a self sufficient and self sustaining lifestyle as a community. Our development programs strive to permanently break the bonds and cycle of poverty of individuals, families and their communities. Therefore we encourage volunteers to work closely with the GIDCCO administration in looking out into possible avenues to help the community.

Q. Who organizes my flights?
A. You do.

Q. Where is Uganda located?
A. Uganda is an East African country,
For more information about volunteering with GIDCCO Organization in Uganda, send us an email at: gidcco@yahoo.co.uk. We will gladly get back to you.

Hope Missionary Church
(Pastor Fred Mwanje & Grace)

Hello to every one in this world your welcome in Uganda Jinja Walukuba Estate 3km from Jinja tax pack Masses road.

I had the vision of opening up this Church in this area because most of the people have been not going to Churches around because of long distance so I thought of the lost souls in this Estate to win them to the Lord and many Local leaders have been not allowing Churches in this Area but through God’s plan we managed to started this Church on 26/November/2006 in the widows room when we are going out door to door and people where joining us every day in Jesus name.

First I started with two (2) orphans Muhammad and Beatrice and one (1) widow Shelimi myself Pastor Fred Mwanje and my wife Grace plus my son Gast Kawoya my friend if God is on same thing nothing can fail.

Did you know that the Bible often speaks about athletics and running races and did you know that the Bible Christians are often compared to athletes (1 Corinthians 9 v24-27; Galatians 2 v2, 5 v7; Philippians 2 v16, 3 v14; 2 Timothy 2 v5, 4 v27; Hebrews 12 v1) When Paul wrote his letters in the Bible he especially had in his mind the picture of an athlete running a race as he thought about men and women, boy and girls who had trusted Jesus Christ. So if your Christian your are an athlete, you are running a race?

Here are three answers to that Question:
-First of all he has to make a start. If he does not start the race, he cannot run it and he will never finish it. So the Christian life must have a beginning. You have to make a start like this Church now. How do you do that? You a start this important race when you trust Jesus Christ as your savior. The Bible says that as soon as you do that your sins are all forgiven (Acts13 v38,39) Your are a new person(2Corinthians 5 v17)- Your are ready to go. Ready`! Get set! Go!

-But if you are going to run a good race the first thing you must do is watch what you Eat, good diet and the main food must be the Word of God (1 Peter 2 v1-2)

-Train often we must be fit and fitness and with ability it will become of much exercise, Training and weight lifting and that is what Paul wrote in (1 Timothy 4 v7) Exercise yourself with godliness, Train yourself to be godly Our training is to practice and keep doing the things God wants us to do-so that we will become more and more godly and more and more like him. Have you started the race of supporting new Churches like Hope Missionary in Uganda, are on your race of giving the needy one, orphans, widows keep on practicing that is the better we will run.

Have a look in the book of Matthew 7:7- 8 ASK, SEEK, KNOCK Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. That why I started this ministry basing on this scripture because verse 9 says which of you, if his son asks for bread will give him a stone? I know my God hears my cry of getting money to buy Land where we need to build the school for orphans, boarding, computer centre, trailing school, Church for spiritual of the talked people up in Jesus name.

The Land it will cost $10,000 dollars, here we request you to pray with us to reach our plan of this Land up to the end of this year 2007, we believe God to but my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus Philippians 4:19 and the Bible says in 1Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others Faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. So which forms are you come and serve your God in Uganda through this ministry in Jesus name.

If you have any question about this ministry first pray for the brothers and sisters in Uganda in this church who are trying to do has God saying in Matthew 28:16 about Great commission even if rain it is raining on us but we are saying know we are flowing great commission, we are training young ministers, discipleships, come and help in this if you want blessing from God.

Any denomination is welcome in this ministry to support any Area you fill like and we do not send away and support whoever small it is or big your welcome in Jesus name and I would love to welcome you in Uganda through this ministry.

Volunteers are most welcome to work in Evangelism door to door, Crusades, women conferences, men conferences, Youth and children, homeless, come confidently to meet brothers and sisters in the our lord Jesus Christ, and I would fill very executed to hug you…. I hope to hear from you very soon after reading this wonderful message if you can believe with me in this point only.

We may need to help a person pray to put is trust in Jesus. Here is a sample prayer we might use to guide him. Ask him to repeat the prayer after you, and then give him a few words at a time to repeat. Dear loving Father God, I know that I will die, and I am not prepared to face you in judgment. I have broken your laws and I know that I deserve eternal punishment. Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place for my sins. I now turn from my sins and put my sins and make me righteous in your sight. From now on I will be a follower of Jesus, and I will try with your help to live, as Jesus wants me to live. In Jesus name. Amen.
 

Do you have comments or questions on our organization? Would you like to become a member or sign up for an upcoming event? Please get in touch!

Just click this address to send us e-mail:
gidcco@yahoo.co.uk.
Or you can reach us at our mailing address:
GIDCCO Uganda
P.O. Box 5164 Jinja, Uganda, East Africa

Or you can give us a call at +256-(0)772- 310787