African Great Lakes Initiative: Helping to create a more peaceful future in Africa

2012 AGLI WORKCAMPS

BURUNDI KENYA & RWANDA
Saturday, June 23 to Saturday, July 28, 2012

1) Burundi Workcamp – Mutaho

Host Partner: REMA - is a group of about 50 women (Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa) from Mutaho Friends Church led by Pastor Sara Gakobwa. The name means be comforted, do not get discouraged. For more information about the group please click here and go to page 23 of the report.

Location: Mutaho, Burundi - Northeast of Bujumbura near Gitega – the second largest city in Burundi

Objective: The Workcamp Peace Team will build guest rooms for the Mutaho Women's Group Center.

Housing: Workcampers will stay with local host families.

2) Rwanda Workcamp – Gisenyi

Host Partner: Gisenyi Friends Church

Location: Gisenyi, Rwanda. On the northern edge of Lake Kivu, west of Kigali, just across the border from Goma, Congo

Objective: Workcampers will complete work on the offices and bathroom.

Housing: Workcampers will stay in the Peace Center dormitory

3) Kenya Workcamp – Lugari

Host Partner: Lugari Yearly Meeting

Location: Lugari District is close to the Uganda border with Kenya with a perfect view of Mt Elgon. This is a 350 acre farm owned by Lugari Yearly Meeting and a former Farmers Training Center.

Objective: Workcampers will rehabilitate one or more buildings; cleaning, painting, minor repairs

Housing: Workcampers will stay at the site which is much like camping. It is cold at night so there is usually a nightly campfire.

Workcamper Qualifications/Expectations

General: We accept all ages: workcampers have been as young as 8, as old as 84 and have included an entire family of five. Our goal is for each team to include 6 international (non-African) and 6 local workcampers plus professional builders.

Physical & Skill requirements: Good health and willingness to do manual labor. Construction skills and experience are not necessary.

Living conditions: All workcamps will be spartan. There may be no running water (pit latrines and splash baths), limited electricity, and, email may be non-existent or erratic.

Expected Conduct for Team Members While in Africa: The African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI) partners with African Quaker Yearly Meetings. Team members will be in close contact with members of these Yearly Meetings. Workcampers are expected to abide by local Quaker behavioral expectations as delineated below. These restrictions apply from the time of arrival in Africa until the individual returns to his/her home country.

• Respect and follow directions of the African workcamp leaders supervising the workcamp.
• Do not buy cooked food from street vendors because the food may have been cooked in unsanitary conditions.
• No use of tobacco products, including smoking; no alcohol; no illegal drug use – including marijuana; and, no sex outside of marriage – heterosexual or homosexual. If AGLI learns that you are doing any of these activities you will be asked to return home immediately at your own expense. Further discussion and explanation will take place during Orientation. If you have concerns or questions ask now.
• There are many ways of behaving that can be rude or insensitive to Africans. Clean clothing, without tears and/or holes must be worn at all times. Good attire is expected at official functions such as attending church -- women should wear skirts or dresses at least covering the knees and men should wear a nice shirt and long slacks.
• Do not go barefoot outside the place where you are sleeping.
• Do not go out at night unless accompanied by a local (African) workcamper or an adult member of your host family
• Be extremely careful with the gadgets with which internationals are so well endowed -- video games, laptops, camcorders, CD players, cameras--including taking of pictures and videos.
• Do not take expensive items (including jewelry) when modestly priced ones will do. Be keenly aware that funds are very scarce for Africans. What you might consider a modest expense (dinner for $3) might be better used by Africans for family welfare.
• Individuals will frequently ask you for assistance. Under no circumstances should you give funds to individuals -- no matter how much you want to help. In addition, gifts must not be given to individuals as this will create gossip, envy, and hostility in the community. If you would like to be generous, give funds or gifts to the local organization with which you are volunteering, or which is hosting you (e.g. FWA or FPDC). Ask them to use your donation for whatever they consider to be the most pressing need in the community. Families that host workcampers are adequately compensated by AGLI so there is no need to give additional funds to anyone in a host family. This will be further addressed in pre-service training.
• Do not take anyone to the hospital, clinic, or doctor. Do not buy medicine for anyone but yourself since you can be blamed if something goes wrong and you perhaps are being scammed and overcharged. If someone is sick, it
is the responsibility of African staff to take people for treatment
• If, after you have returned to America, you decide to raise funds to support a project in Africa, we strongly recommend that you first seek advice from AGLI. Ideally funds for such a project should be channeled through AGLI. This will be addressed during Orientation.
• As possible, try to attend social events near of your workcamp, including church services.
• Wear a seat belt whenever you are in a vehicle that has them. Seat belts are required by law in Kenya and Rwanda. Be very cautious about riding a motorcycle.
• It is safer not to give a lift to armed people, except when there is no choice. Do not give beer to or buy beer for soldiers, guards, or any other individuals.

Orientation for North American Workcampers: Saturday, June 23 - Monday June 25, at William Penn House in Washington D.C. Workcampers should arrive Saturday afternoon or early evening. Sessions after Saturday dinner are usually informal. Orientation begins in earnest on Sunday and continue into the evening. On Monday workcampers will be transported to Dulles Airport to depart for Africa.

NOTE: Workcampers coming from Europe are not required to attend in this US orientation.

Responsibilities of Workcamp Team Members:

1. Each workcamper is expected to conduct fundraising: a minimum of $2,300 plus the actual cost of their airfare to/from Africa (roughly $2,000). AGLI will assist you and your support committee. $2,300 includes: the cost of orientation at Wellspring for North Americans; cost of food and lodging in Africa; $1,200 towards building materials for your workcamp project; and $450 for AGLI expenses. Airline tickets will be purchased for each workcamper when we have received the first $2,000 in donations. If these funds are received by April 1st it is likely that the airfare will be $2,000 or less. Later purchases can cost significantly more.

2. North American workcampers must arrange and pay for travel to/from Washington, DC for Orientation.

3. Visa fees: Burundi $80; Kenya $50; Uganda $50; and Rwanda—none required.

4. Shots and medicines you may need. More info will be provided to accepted applicants.

5. One 50 pound suitcase with children's clothes, school supplies, and over-the-counter medicines. Details will be provided to accepted applicants.

Application: To receive an application email Dawn@aglifpt.org or download it by clicking here.

Application deadline: We will continue to accept applications until all workcamp quotas have been filled. Send completed applications to Dawn@aglifpt.org. Remember that applications will be processed only after receipt of a report from the clerk of the clearness committee, via email. Applications will be considered on a first come/first served basis. AGLI will inform applicants regarding acceptance within a two weeks of receiving both the application and the clearness committee report.

-- A Volunteer Handbook is available --

AFRICAN GREAT LAKES INITIATIVE
FRIENDS PEACE TEAMS
1001 Park Avenue St Louis, MO 63104 USA Phone: 314.647.1287
Email: Dawn@aglifpt.org

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Back to Workcamp Home 2012 AGLI WORKCAMPS BURUNDI KENYA & RWANDA Saturday, June 23 to Saturday, July 28, 2012 1) Burundi Workcamp – Mutaho Host Partner: REMA - is a group of about 50 women (Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa) from Mutaho Friends Church led by Pastor Sara Gakobwa. The name means be comforted, do not get discouraged. For more information about the group please click here and go to page 23 of the report. Location: Mutaho, Burundi - Northeast of Bujumbura near Gitega – the second largest city in Burundi Objective: The Workcamp Peace Team will build guest rooms for the Mutaho Women's Group Center. Housing: Workcampers will stay with local host families. 2) Rwanda Workcamp – Gisenyi Host Partner: Gisenyi Friends Church Location: Gisenyi, Rwanda. On the northern edge of Lake Kivu, west of Kigali, just across the border from Goma, Congo Objective: Workcampers will complete work on the offices and bathroom. Housing: Workcampers will stay in the Peace Center dormitory 3) Kenya Workcamp – Lugari Host Partner: Lugari Yearly Meeting Location: Lugari District is close to the Uganda border with Kenya with a perfect view of Mt Elgon. This is a 350 acre farm owned by Lugari Yearly Meeting and a former Farmers Training Center. Objective: Workcampers will rehabilitate one or more buildings; cleaning, painting, minor repairs Housing: Workcampers will stay at the site which is much like camping. It is cold at night so there is usually a nightly campfire. Workcamper Qualifications/Expectations General: We accept all ages: workcampers have been as young as 8, as old as 84 and have included an entire family of five. Our goal is for each team to include 6 international (non-African) and 6 local workcampers plus professional builders. Physical & Skill requirements: Good health and willingness to do manual labor. Construction skills and experience are not necessary. Living conditions: All workcamps will be spartan. There may be no running water (pit latrines and splash baths), limited electricity, and, email may be non-existent or erratic. Expected Conduct for Team Members While in Africa: The African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI) partners with African Quaker Yearly Meetings. Team members will be in close contact with members of these Yearly Meetings. Workcampers are expected to abide by local Quaker behavioral expectations as delineated below. These restrictions apply from the time of arrival in Africa until the individual returns to his/her home country. • Respect and follow directions of the African workcamp leaders supervising the workcamp. • Do not buy cooked food from street vendors because the food may have been cooked in unsanitary conditions. • No use of tobacco products, including smoking; no alcohol; no illegal drug use – including marijuana; and, no sex outside of marriage – heterosexual or homosexual. If AGLI learns that you are doing any of these activities you will be asked to return home immediately at your own expense. Further discussion and explanation will take place during Orientation. If you have concerns or questions ask now. • There are many ways of behaving that can be rude or insensitive to Africans. Clean clothing, without tears and/or holes must be worn at all times. Good attire is expected at official functions such as attending church -- women should wear skirts or dresses at least covering the knees and men should wear a nice shirt and long slacks. • Do not go barefoot outside the place where you are sleeping. • Do not go out at night unless accompanied by a local (African) workcamper or an adult member of your host family • Be extremely careful with the gadgets with which internationals are so well endowed -- video games, laptops, camcorders, CD players, cameras--including taking of pictures and videos. • Do not take expensive items (including jewelry) when modestly priced ones will do. Be keenly aware that funds are very scarce for Africans. What you might consider a modest expense (dinner for $3) might be better used by Africans for family welfare. • Individuals will frequently ask you for assistance. Under no circumstances should you give funds to individuals -- no matter how much you want to help. In addition, gifts must not be given to individuals as this will create gossip, envy, and hostility in the community. If you would like to be generous, give funds or gifts to the local organization with which you are volunteering, or which is hosting you (e.g. FWA or FPDC). Ask them to use your donation for whatever they consider to be the most pressing need in the community. Families that host workcampers are adequately compensated by AGLI so there is no need to give additional funds to anyone in a host family. This will be further addressed in pre-service training. • Do not take anyone to the hospital, clinic, or doctor. Do not buy medicine for anyone but yourself since you can be blamed if something goes wrong and you perhaps are being scammed and overcharged. If someone is sick, it is the responsibility of African staff to take people for treatment • If, after you have returned to America, you decide to raise funds to support a project in Africa, we strongly recommend that you first seek advice from AGLI. Ideally funds for such a project should be channeled through AGLI. This will be addressed during Orientation. • As possible, try to attend social events near of your workcamp, including church services. • Wear a seat belt whenever you are in a vehicle that has them. Seat belts are required by law in Kenya and Rwanda. Be very cautious about riding a motorcycle. • It is safer not to give a lift to armed people, except when there is no choice. Do not give beer to or buy beer for soldiers, guards, or any other individuals. Orientation for North American Workcampers: Saturday, June 23 - Monday June 25, at William Penn House in Washington D.C. Workcampers should arrive Saturday afternoon or early evening. Sessions after Saturday dinner are usually informal. Orientation begins in earnest on Sunday and continue into the evening. On Monday workcampers will be transported to Dulles Airport to depart for Africa. NOTE: Workcampers coming from Europe are not required to attend in this US orientation. Responsibilities of Workcamp Team Members: 1. Each workcamper is expected to conduct fundraising: a minimum of $2,300 plus the actual cost of their airfare to/from Africa (roughly $2,000). AGLI will assist you and your support committee. $2,300 includes: the cost of orientation at Wellspring for North Americans; cost of food and lodging in Africa; $1,200 towards building materials for your workcamp project; and $450 for AGLI expenses. Airline tickets will be purchased for each workcamper when we have received the first $2,000 in donations. If these funds are received by April 1st it is likely that the airfare will be $2,000 or less. Later purchases can cost significantly more. 2. North American workcampers must arrange and pay for travel to/from Washington, DC for Orientation. 3. Visa fees: Burundi $80; Kenya $50; Uganda $50; and Rwanda—none required. 4. Shots and medicines you may need. More info will be provided to accepted applicants. 5. One 50 pound suitcase with children's clothes, school supplies, and over-the-counter medicines. Details will be provided to accepted applicants. Application: To receive an application email Dawn@aglifpt.org or download it by clicking here. Application deadline: We will continue to accept applications until all workcamp quotas have been filled. Send completed applications to Dawn@aglifpt.org. Remember that applications will be processed only after receipt of a report from the clerk of the clearness committee, via email. Applications will be considered on a first come/first served basis. AGLI will inform applicants regarding acceptance within a two weeks of receiving both the application and the clearness committee report. -- A Volunteer Handbook is available -- AFRICAN GREAT LAKES INITIATIVE FRIENDS PEACE TEAMS 1001 Park Avenue St Louis, MO 63104 USA Phone: 314.647.1287 Email: Dawn@aglifpt.org Back to Workcamp Home