REPORT BY CHRISTINE WAMBUI NJAAGA.

(MAKERERE UNIVERSITY) UGANDA ? EAST AFRICA

INTRODUCTION

I began working with OOA on 8th July which was on a Wednesday. It was something I was looking forward to and I thank God that dream has not been been shattered so far. Working with the needy in our society was and has been been my joy and through OOA it has been made possible. Working at the rehabilitation canter has been fun. Thanks to OOA for giving me a chance to explore further even in office work. I feel am now computer literate and its something that has done me much pride.

THEME

ACTIVITIES DONE

- Office work
- Gatundu Project
- Liquid soap project
- Helping work at the rehab e.g cooking


LIQUID SOAP PROJECT

This has been my greatest achievement and a success. Its a project that is now selling at the Rehab. The main purpose of the project was to raise money through selling the liquid soap and which money would be used to the benefit of the kids at the rehab.


AIMS OF THE PROJECT LIQUID SOAP)

To enable the children have tangible experiences/knowledge that can help them in life in terms of self-employment.
To generate income for the centre to enable them buy food which happens to be a major necessity at the rehab.
To make the institution known i.e. by branding the soap ?REHAB LIQUID SOAP PROJECT? will enable them to get established within Ruiru and neighbouring towns at large.
Also the project will save them from buying detergents since the soap is multi-purpose i.e. it can be used while washing clothes, utensils, latrines e.t.c.
The project is aimed at large-scale production in the near future which the first pioneers and employees will be the kids at the Rehab.


GATUNDU PROJECT

Working with Desmond and Grace to make Gatundu project a success was quite a challenge for me. Creating something out of nothing is what happened and I term it a miracle. The theme of the whole project was ?KEEPING GATUNDU CLEAN? and OOA was given a section of a round-about to renovate it and the outcome was exemplary. OOA left a mark in Gatundu which will be remembered in ages to come.


HELPING WORK AT THE REHAB

Back at the rehab, I engaged myself more in the domestic work like sweeping, cooking and I really enjoyed every single moment. Also I took part in helping their teacher in invigilating exams and also marking the end of term papers.


OFFICE WORK

Working with Grace at the office really enlarged my knowledge especially being my first time to work in an office. Compiling files, updating files and collecting relevant information about the children in various institutions working with OOA also made me travel far, met new people along the way but more importantly lives of many needy children have been touched through OOA by enabling them get education which is the most important thing. To some children apart from education, OOA have gone ahead to intervene even in there homes by renovating such homes.


OBSERVATIONS

Having worked at the Rehab there is need to construct new latrines because the old ones are in a mess, and are harmful in terms of health for the kids at the centre.
Still there is need for cutlery at the centre since the ones present are not enough and during meals some kids are forced to use their hands which is also harmful to their health.
There is need for guidance and counselling tutors at the centre since these kids are growing up and there are things and changes in life they need to know and understand about themselves especially for girls who happen to be few at the rehab.
There is need to encourage volunteers to impact projects that are income generating to the organization (OOA) as this will help to reach out to various projects, schools, and this will benefit the recipients children in various institutions).

NOTE: There are more projects like bar soap project, tomato sauce project, hair shampoo project, shower gel project, hand washing gel project which I hope to implement the next time I come back to OOA.


CONCLUSION

Its sad as time is winding up for me to go back to school. Special thanks to Julie Martin, Desmond and OOA staff and am looking forward to coming back again.