Real Partners Uganda - FrequentlyAskedQuestion

FAQ's

1. Is Real Partners Uganda, Inc. a faith-based organization?

Yes. We are independent of any one church or denomination, but work with a variety of churches and their members including Episcopal, Presbyterian, Christian Reformed, United Methodist, Roman Catholic and others. We also work with a wide variety of other civic organizations that do international outreach projects, including Rotary International and Kiwanis Club. Several US schools work with us on a regular basis, some doing large, important projects in Lukaya. See our Mission... or Projects...

2. Will I receive a receipt for a tax deduction when I donate?

Yes, if you are a US Citizen. Canadians may get credit through a partner organization. RPU is an official, federally-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, with state licensing in New Jersey. All donations are tax-deductible. For additional information, Contact Us....

3. How much of my donation will go directly to the work in Uganda?

Our overhead is exceptionally low. In 2008 over 90% of all donations went directly to the work in Lukaya. Members of the Board of Directors and our Advisors work without compensation and pay for their own office expenses and travel to Uganda.

4. What is the best way for me to help?

By making a donation for any of the many needs described in the How to Help section. If you sponsor a child, we will send directions on how to get packages to your child. You can donate any time of year simply by coming to this website or by sending a check by mail. For details, see How to Help... .

5. Can I travel to Uganda to volunteer at Mustard Seed Academy or other projects?

Yes, we are delighted to have volunteers become partners in the Tree of Life Ministries project in Uganda. We have an application process that enables the volunteers to determine if their interests and talents fit with needs of the program in Lukaya, whether they are willing to live under the local conditions, and if the experience will be affordable. In June 2009, a group of four senior undergraduates from Xavier Univerity, Cincinnati, traveled to Lukaya to work and learn at Mustard Seed Academy for 7 weeks. Two will split their time at a local clinic. All will spend time getting to know the children and make profiles of the sponsored children. We are hoping they will work on the buildings, help our students' progress in English, bolster the music program, and other projects that will keep us on track for becoming a model school. Follow their progress on the Blog page of this website.

6. Is it safe to travel in Uganda?

Traveling in most parts of Uganda is safe but challenging, and we always make sure to have knowledgeable drivers and guides to take us places. Ugandans are very friendly people, for the most part, but as in any third world country there are individuals who steal, mostly out of desperation to survive. We walk freely on the streets of Lukaya during the day and with flashlights at night with no streetlights.

7. How does one get to Uganda and travel locally?

Travel is by air to the large national airport in Entebbe. One can fly from the US to Europe and make a connection there to Entebbe. Travel from the East Coast takes about 24 hours and covers over 7,500 miles. In Uganda, we travel by four-wheel drive vehicles on safari or by cars locally. The primary roads are paved and pretty decent, but secondary roads are mostly dirt and can be very muddy and challenging.

Four wheel drive vehicles like this are a necessity for many safari destinations, but cars can be used around town. Kampala, February 2009. Notice the armed guard, typical around nice hotels, and on safari hikes!

8. What is the food like in Uganda?

It is very different from what one eats in the US and Europe. Ugandans eat a lot of matoke which is made of green bananas, peeled, mashed and cooked on charcoal fires. Beans, rice, and a corn-based porridge called posho are all staples. Local fruits are available including mangos, papaya, jackfruit and pineapple. Meat and poultry is served in chunks as part of a stew cooked in a banana leaf wrapping with hearty broth. Fish, especially Talapia is very popular. You generally get one-third of a fish: head, mid-section or tail. Ugandans love the head including eyeballs. We don’t prefer that. Tea, soda, fruit juices, bottled water and beer provide some options for drinks. We don't drink the local water.

Special meals like this are very predictable with the same foods including matoke (cooked mashed green bananas, sweet and "Irish" potatoes, meats in a stew broth cooked in banana leaves, and rice. Most eating is done with the hands, not utensils.

9. How many bird species have been identified in Uganda?

An astounding 1020 different species in an area the size of the state of Oregon. Uganda is a birder’s paradise because of the diverse habitats that support different kinds of birds. Several of the parks allow walking safaris that are excellent for birding and many remarkable birds hang around human dwellings at resorts and camps. For more informations see Links... .

This saddle-billed stork stands among a host of different species including cormorants, gulls, and pelicans along the banks of the Kazinga channel in western Uganda. The diversity is enormous.

10. What makes safari travel in Uganda so special compared to the better known safari destinations in Kenya and Tanzania?

First, both Kenya and Tanzania are wonderful places to go on safari, but there are several things that make Ugandan safaris unique. The distances are shorter, making it possible to move through several parks in a briefer period. National parks are diverse. One like Queen Elizabeth has spectacular savannah, rain forest, and wetlands/river habitats in a modest size park. The number of primates there is unexcelled with a huge number in the far west including gorillas, chimps, patas monkeys, black and white colobus, vervets, blue monkeys, red-tails, and others. The guides of local companies can include cultural experiences with safaris to put travelers in touch with the very hospitable and charming Ugandan people. See Photo Gallery...

Up close viewing of magnificent animals like this hippo is easy on the Nile River in Ugandan national parks.

Nowhere in Africa can one view so many different kinds of primates in such a small area. Olive baboon mother and baby look us over.

11. How much do Ugandan workers earn?

Not much by comparison to Western standards. A primary school teacher earns a take home salary ranging from $110-300 US per month. Exclusive private schools pay more. Usually teachers also receive food at school, a housing allowance and transport fees as needed. Mustard Seed Academy has started funding an emergency, health and continuing education fund for its teachers.

Salaries in Uganda are very low, so American dollars go a long way. This 10,000 shilling note is worth about $5.00 US.

12. Could I get my church or civic organization involved in supporting Tree of Life Ministries?

Yes, by all means! We are currently working with several churches, schools and civic groups who have chosen to support certain special projects within our overall effort. We can give you plenty of options and information if you Contact Us... or look for option at How to Help...

13. Is disease a problem for travelers in Uganda?

Mosquito nets draped over beds are very helpful in preventing bites that transmit malaria. Guest sleep under them in the rainy season.

Potentially, it could be if travelers have not received proper inoculations and do not take prophylactic medicine against malaria during their visits. Another precaution is knowing where and what is safe to eat and drink to avoid contaminants. We have followed certain procedures and have had very few minor health problems during our 7 visits. The US Center for Disease Control and doctors who specialize in tropical medicine can provide information, and we have learned some important tricks to staying healthy. Local tour operators are generally very protective of guests who they want to have a good experience (and tip them well at the end).

14. What is the weather like in Uganda?

Hard rains come down for a few hours each day during the two rainy seasons. This is the time for planting "gardens."

Uganda sits on the equator just north of Lake Victoria in East Africa. The weather is determined by several factors including the season and the elevation. There are two rainy seasons (planting seasons) alternating with two dry seasons. Rainy seasons tend to have daily periods of heavy rain followed by some sunshine and humidity with temperatures in the 80s. Dry seasons often have no rain for weeks and temperature during mid-day can get in high 90’s or triple digits. Dry seasons can be very dusty with the orange-red dust covering everything. Wet seasons can be muddy, making some roads hard to drive on.

15. What are the Ugandan people like?

They are diverse. There are over 20 different tribes, each with a tribal language, but most speak English, the official language of the country. In general Ugandans are very hospitable, helpful, and anxious to meet visitors. Despite the great poverty and hardship, family groups are very close and people have strong social connections to one another. If you went you could learn special handshakes and experience the joy of Ugandan laughter, which often expresses joy or happiness.

Ugandan culture is fascinating and welcoming to visitors. Here, Board advisor, Judy Sconyers engages in a greeting ceremony with a mother of one of our staff. Each of us received honorary Ugandan names during this ceremony in 2006. Local tour companies can make special arrangements for cultural experiences like this.