Oct 7 - Douglas sends 15 young Canadians to Africa

Douglas College is sending a number of young Canadians from across the country to African hospitals, libraries and aid centres next week as part of the college's ongoing Uganda Project.

On October 11, 15 Canadians aged 30 and under will say good-bye to Canada to spend a five-month paid internship working at hospitals, libraries and other institutions in Uganda.

The program is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Douglas College partnered with both CIDA and the country of Uganda to make the project a reality.

"We're aiming for two things," says John Fox, an instructor from Douglas College's Community Social Service Worker program and Coordinator of the Uganda project. "One, we want to contribute to developing projects that will boost people's quality of life. Two, we want to give young Canadians international experience that will help them find jobs back home."

Some participants are headed to Uganda's Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, where they will work with patients with HIV/AIDS, medical/surgical conditions, mental illnesses and other health-related needs.

Others are going to work on literacy projects in community libraries with the Ugandan Community Library Association.

Still others will be placed as interns with the Child Restoration Outreach, where they will be working with street-entrenched children and youth, as well as with the Uganda Schizophrenia Fellowship, the Uganda Society for Disabled Children, and the Namugongo Fund for Special Children.

"When participants come back they'll be able to use this experience to kick start their careers," says Fox. "Given their age, the benefit will pay itself forward for decades."

The College has a strong foundation of experience in Uganda already. Since 2006, close to two dozen students from the Community Social Service Worker Program, and more recently from the Co-Occurring Disorders, Early Childhood Education, and Dental Assisting programs, have travelled to Uganda for 10-week field learning practicum placements with various agencies as part of their education.

The College also has other long-term commitments to Uganda. In 2006 it established the Uganda Endowment Fund to provide funding for social service agencies in Uganda with a focus on inspiring children, strengthening families and building community resources.

"Uganda is improving rapidly, but it pales in comparison to Canada in terms of health, education, and social services," says Fox. "Contributions made by Canadians in partnership with Ugandans will enhance the pace of progress, but more importantly will contribute to the learning and development of both partners."

Douglas College is one of the largest colleges in British Columbia, providing a variety of bachelor's degrees, university transfer, career and developmental programs for over 20,000 students each year.