I've been involved with this organization as a donor, intern, and volunteer and am proud to support their work. They are small but mighty and as such, have learned to make each dollar stretch into amazing programming. UVP works through local community organizers to identify and address public health needs, and I encourage anyone interested in international development and public or community health to look into their achievements and consider joining the team!
I have worked with Uganda Village Project for years. As such, I'm biased, because I am a part of it, but I have been involved at every level from working on intern teams to serving on the board in all capacities. I've helped with intern selection and orientation annually for over 15 years, I've helped to hire all the staff leaders and board members, and I've reviewed every annual budget. This nonprofit is powered by grassroots volunteers with enthusiasm and care. The staff operating out of the Uganda office are paid and there is a part time director, but the remainder of folks on the board and who serve as virtual volunteers are unpaid and do what they do out of passion and love. Unlike many similar organizations, UVP employs local Ugandans who run all the programs in the field, and designs our internship such that those who participate live in the rural communities they serve.
Like any small organization working under similar circumstances, there are challenges. Behavior change is hard no matter where you're trying to create it, and we're always looking for newer and more effective ways to make it happen. Monitoring and evaluation of programs is an area where we have focussed many resources over the past several years to try to ensure our programs and properly responsive to their effects (or lack of effect!). Sometimes, UVP has limited funding and has to postpone or cancel programs if we cannot afford to carry out the full budget. The majority of our small budget is spent directly on programs in the field and is raised from small donors, young people, family and friends. Our internship program helps to fund much of the work we do during that part of the year and also helps to subsidize the participation of local Ugandan interns on every team, whom we have found critical to share knowledge about relevant skills in public health as well as their language and culture. Overall, Uganda Village Project is a nonprofit always striving to better itself. I feel that we provide one of the top public health internship programs for students with a keen interest in global public health, which can be used as a summer practicum as well.
Uganda Village Project is a group that will make sure any donated dollars go far to help the people they serve. If you have any questions about us or our work please feel fro