African Field Studies

Welcome to the Uganda Project

The Uganda Project provides support, encouragement and supervision to Students completing field learning in Uganda Africa. These practicums take place in the spring of each year for students who have completed all of their course work and last approximately 10 weeks. The project started in April of 2006 as an initiative of the College's Community Social Service Worker Program. Students from the Community Social Service Worker Program and the Co-occurring Disorders Program are eligible to apply for field learning placement in Africa.

The College is not in Uganda as a service provider. Primarily, we see ourselves as guests with the expectation that students will learn more about themselves and be given more by the host country and its people than anything they will leave behind. Truly the benefit to our students, the College and Canada will be the application of what they have learned as working professionals here in Canada. We believe they will be better practitioners and provide enhanced culturally sensitive services to clients here in Canada.

Watch the Abetavu Children's Home video

Welcome to the Uganda Endowment Fund

The Uganda Endowment Fund has been created to fund projects in Uganda that support sustainable development for children, youth and families that will in the short and long term lead to an improved condition. In developing the fund we asked ourselves are there ways that a Canadian teaching institution such as Douglas College can make a sustainable and positive contribution that supports development in the host country? (Global Benefit)

We believed that the answer was yes. Education, the business of Douglas College, is universally recognized as the most important component of development. We believe education is the most logical place to start looking for a way to contribute to improving conditions in developing countries. Education provides support that contributes to development, empowerment and independence.

Many, including Stephen Lewis have highlighted the importance of education, particularly for young girls, as a fundamental cornerstone of a sustainable improved condition in Africa. Douglas College and other post secondary institutions can (indeed they have a responsibility) participate and contribute in this way. To give so others can lead is an important value that is exemplified by providing these opportunities.

An Example

Douglas College started their small contribution to education in Uganda last year. It provided three (3) one year scholarships for young girls to begin high school ( grade school in Uganda is free, high school is not). The scholarship provides tuition, room and board and school supplies. Education in Africa is priceless, but the cost is minimal at a mere $350 (Can) per student per year. This year we will continue to support these students and add scholarships for three additional students. A small contribution, but a beginning. Where will these young girls be ten years from now is impossible to say? We predict that their future will be much more optimistic because of this opportunity to stay in school and learn.