Dear fellow friend of East Africa,
you have certainly heard about "dead aid" ... otherwise you wouldn't be here on this site. A vast number of NGOs, NPOs, and lots of more administrative abbreviations for relief organizations and aid agencies can be found in Uganda. I neither want to judge on any recent scandals within some of the big players, nor complain about having witnessed quite "dodgy" conduct of some local organizations.
I am often asked by friends who would love to help in East Africa, in which projects they could "invest" their time and/or money safely and sustainably.
My general advice:
- Do not only look for fully registered NGOs. Remember, small and unbureaucratic tends to be more agile and independent.
- The project has to be truly local. From the people for the people. Close to their heart, wishes, ideas, needs, hopes ... Imposing measures some well-meaning expert from outside figured out to be the best on somebody never works.
- If you have the chance, visit the project of interest in person. Apart from the joy of leaving the trodden tourist path and having real-life contact with communities, you will get the most realistic and down-to-earth picture of the actual project and its current state.
Which comes to my recommendations.
If you happen to stay in Uganda, for holidays, business, or even working for a NGO ;-), check out these two projects:
Leopard Village of Uganda Carnivore Program
and
https://geoffwalkerphotographer.com/2017/04/11/nodding-syndrome-uganda-2017
Cheers,
Katharina
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