Every year about 50 Concordia University students will have the opportunity to travel to the East African country of Uganda to volunteer their time where it is needed most. These students will have the opportunity to learn about development through the experience of our partners in Uganda, a dedicated and knowledgeable staff, and first hand knowledge through the projects they will partake in.

If you are considering applying to CVAP, or have been selected as a volunteer, please read through these general information sections below:

Application Process :

**Please Note: Applications for all 2009 groups are due no later than November 17th,
2008 at the Concordia Student Union office H711**

Click HERE to "APPLY NOW"

Selection Criteria:
Each student interested in taking part in the volunteer abroad program will have to undergo a rigorous application process to be selected to participate. The application process will include a interview (if necessary), as well as a review of their transcript and resume. C.V.A.P. currently accepts between 40 and 50 students to volunteer to Uganda each year.

Who is eligible?
All Concordia students are eligible to apply as well as Concordia alumni, faculty, and students from other universities. Please note however that priority will be given to Concordia students if applications exceed available space.

Applications must include:

• Student Transcript (For first year students a final transcript from a previous educational institution is acceptable. For Concordia students who wish not to submit their transcripts a letter from student services stating that you are not in failed standing at the time of application will suffice.)
• Resume
• $50 Application fee (Payable by certified cheque only)
• Completed C.V.A.P. Official Application Form (available online)
• Two Letters of Support from professors in their program of study. ( Not applicable to alumni applicants and first year students. In these cases two letters or reference, excluding family members, will be accepted)

All applications are to be dropped off at the CSU office and stamped by the CSU office manager and or receptionist. For applicants submitting online, you may download the application by clicking on the icon above and submitting the completed form to info@concordiavolunteers.org.

Maximum Yearly Acceptance:
The Selection Committee must choose no more than 50 applicants as per the lack of additional space. These Students will be chosen in groups of 25. They will be chosen to take part in one of two 8 week groups. The two 8 week groups will take place on the following dates:

Group 2: May 1st to June 30th
Group 3: July 1st to August 30th

Selection Committee Meetings:
The deadline to submit applications for 2009 volunteer groups this year is November 17th, 2008.

The Selection Committee will meet during the third and fourth weeks of November to begin the selection process. Students who are accepted into the program will be notified by the second week of December.

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Volunteer Training :

Pre- Departure Mandatory Informational Sessions
Those students who participate in the program will first be required to attend 7 pre departure classes with the intent of informing them of what the program entails, what is expected of them once they arrive in the host country, and finally, to educate them as to the culture, geography, infrastructure, and any additional information that may be pertinent to their safety and successful stay in and around the volunteer site. The classes would begin in January 2009 and will be spread out over the course of 3 months, ending in March. The exact dates of the information sessions will be made available to applicants once they have been formally accepted into the program.

Upon Arrival Training
The first week in Gulu will consist of a full schedule of training and orientation. Volunteers have the opportunity during this time to get acquainted with the local culture and geography, as well as CVAP’s initiatives and partner organizations. Some of the activities planned for week may include:

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General Travel Precautions:

Upon to arrival in Uganda, all volunteers will be registered at the Canadian consulate in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. This will ensure that the Canadian government is aware of the presence of the volunteers in Uganda. In case of emergency, the Canadian government will be able to better assist the volunteers knowing where they are staying, the purpose of the stay, as well as the duration of the stay. At present, the Canadian Consulate in Uganda is fully aware of the activities being undertaken by the Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program and works with C.V.A.P and its volunteers to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in Uganda. When traveling outside the volunteer site, volunteers will be transported via mini van to the desired destination by a project leader. Each volunteer will travel with a partner at all times and will not be permitted to travel alone.

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Volunteer Health Precautions:

The four week commencement date for the Informational Sessions is key as per the necessity of vaccines that the students will be required to receive. Several vaccines are recommended by the Canadian Travel advisory. The most costly and timely vaccination needed is the Hepatitis A and B vaccination which can now be vaccinated together in one injection. This vaccination must be taken at least one month prior to departure and a second must be taken the week prior to departure. Each of these injections will cost approximately $50.00 Canadian for a total cost of about $100.00. Students who have opted to use the CSU health plan can take advantage of the $50.00 coverage offered for vaccinations. Other vaccinations currently recommended include: Yellow Fever, Cholera, Typhoid, meningitis, and Tetanus. All volunteers are recommended to visit a travel clinic where these vaccines can be prescribed or administrated based on the most up-to-date recommendations.

Anti-Malaria medication is strongly suggested and must be administered orally on a daily basis, or weekly basis depending on the brand, beginning with the date of departure to the volunteer site and must continue until 5 days after the date of return. These pills are relatively expensive and cost approximately $150 for the required amount if purchased in Canada. However, students who are chosen to participate in the program are required to purchase medical insurance through International Air Ambulance Uganda (IAA) or UGAMED. This comprehensive insurance plan covers most emergency and prescription needs and the IAA clinic in Gulu as well as other hospitals and clinics while in Uganda. Based on past volunteer needs it has proven to be the most cost effective and reliable coverage. The cost per student, based on a two month volunteer session, is approximately $110 CDN.

It is important to note that Concordia students who have opted to use the Concordia Student Union health plan provided by ASEQ are NOT properly covered for travel to Uganda. Exclusions in the ASEQ plan are numerous and indicate that travel to various regions of Uganda is not covered. If medical consultation is required while in Uganda, volunteers will be transported to the Kampala Medical Specialist Centre if the situation permits, or to Lachor Hospital, located in Gulu, for emergency care. In Uganda volunteers will stay at the CVAP House in Kampala and the Acholi Inn in Gulu. Precautions have been taken at both locations to further ensure the safety of the volunteers.

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Living in Gulu: Accommodations, Travel, & Food

Gulu has one of the highest concentrations of NGOs in the world, there are over 200 NGOs and CBOs (community based organizations) working in and around the municipality. Nonetheless foreigners stick out like a sore thumb. The crime rate in the municipality is very low but there are what some volunteers consider petty annoyances which you must accustom yourself to. These range from children calling you a Munu (white person) everywhere you go, to the occasional request for school sponsorship from teenagers in the community.

On occasion, once acquainted with Acholi culture, volunteers may have the opportunity to go out in the evening as a group to a local bar, there are many in Gulu. In these cases it is imperative to keep in mind that in this small community an individual’s actions are reflected on the organization as a whole and there are NGOs working in Gulu that have been marred by negative reputations due to the actions of select individuals. While in Gulu you will be provided with transport to group activities and projects. However, students working on projects in close to the Acholi Inn will walk there and back. Although it is safe to walk in Gulu during the day you will always be with someone else in your group including a local volunteer.

Accommodation:

CVAP has rented a wing of the Acholi Inn, a hotel that many dignitaries, NGO workers and visitors to the municipality stay at. This wing is accessible only to CVAP, it has.

9 rooms with 1-3 bunk beds each, an office, kitchen, dining area and rest room. We also have a large yard with a volleyball court and roofed gazebo. Each room has its own bathroom, however, municipal water shortages can be frequent. Like water, electricity is also sporadic, if the municipal power is down, for one reason or another, the Acholi Inn will turn on its generator in the evenings, generally from 7PM to 11:30PM.

Restaurant & Bar (volunteers are fed by our cook Gilbert however a change of scenery is occasionally welcome, approx 5000 UGX per meal)
Laundry Service (approx 5000 UGX per load) Most volunteers do their own laundry from a bucket. Don’t be lazy! It’s good exercise!

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Student Financial Requirements:

All students chosen to participate in the volunteer program will be responsible to pay for their airfare and vaccination costs. All other costs, including travel in and around the volunteer site, three daily meals for 8 weeks, as well as lodging in Gulu are provided.

The Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program is one of the most accessible international volunteer program available to students today. Through the generous contribution of Concordia students and other donors, lodging and meals are supplied for students for the full duration of their stay in Uganda. This results in a substantial cost reduction for students who would normally have to fit this bill by themselves. In addition, deals acquired by CVAP with international passenger airlines such as British Airways grant students significant discounts of the normal fair too and from Uganda. Please note the following fees that applicants must be aware of prior to submitting their application.

Concordia students & alumni:
All Concordia students chosen to participate in the volunteer program will be responsible to pay for their airfare. All other costs, including travel in and around the volunteer site, three daily meals for 8 weeks, as well as lodging at the Concordia student center in Gulu Uganda are provided for. Please take note of the anticipated expenses:

• Airfare:$1800.00
• Canadian Vaccinations: $300.00
• Insurance: $110
• Ugandan Visa: $50
• Books: $55
• Application Fee: $35
• Total anticipated expenses for Concordia students: $2350.00 CDN

Concordia faculty & non Concordia students:
All Concordia faculty and Non Concordia students chosen to participate in the volunteer program will be responsible to pay for their airfare. All other costs, including travel in and around the volunteer site, three daily meals for 8 weeks, as well as lodging at the Concordia student center in Gulu Uganda are provided for a fee of $300 CDN. Please take note of the anticipated expenses:

• Accommodation Charge: $300.00
• Airfare: $1800.00
• Canadian Vaccinations: $300.00
• Insurance:$110
• Ugandan Visa: $50
• Books: $55
• Application Fee: $35
• Total anticipated expenses for Concordia faculty and Non Concordia students: $2650.00 CDN