Frequently Asked Questions.....
1. Will I receive a receipt for a tax deduction when I donate?
Yes. RPU is an official, federally-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, with state licensing in New Jersey. Most donations are tax-deductible.
2. How much of my donation will go directly to the work in Uganda?
Our overhead is exceptionally low. In 2010 over 96% of every dollar donated went directly to the work in Lukaya. Members of the Board of Directors and our Advisors work without compensation and pay for most of their own office expenses and travel to Uganda and meetings in the U.S.
RPU Executive Director Elaine Griswold greeted by Mustard Seed Academy children as she arrives at the Uganda campus.
RPU Executive Director Elaine Griswold greeted by Mustard Seed Academy children as she arrives at the Uganda campus.
3. 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 Presbyterian, Episcopal, Christian Reformed, United Methodist, Roman Catholic, Baptist and others. We were founded with help from the Community Presbyterian Church in Brigantine, NJ. We also work with civic organizations that do international outreach projects, including Rotary International and Kiwanis Club. Several schools work with us on a regular basis.
4. What is the best way for me to help?
By making a donation for any of the many needs described on the Donations page. If you sponsor a child or a teacher, we will send directions on how to send photos and notes to them. You can donate any time of year simply by coming to this website or by sending a check by mail. Our favorite gifts are unrestricted ones to be used for the urgent needs of the project. Click here... for the address.
5. Can I travel to Uganda to volunteer at Mustard Seed Academy?Yes. We had twelve volunteers working with our project in Lukaya in 2011. Our leaders travel to work in Lukaya twice a year for periods ranging from two to six weeks at a time. We are delighted to have inquiries, and RPU has an application process to ensure that potential volunteers will understand the conditions there and make sure that their interests and skills match the needs of project. If you wish to inquire about volunteering, please go to the Contact Us page and let's communicate by email or phone.
|  Volunteers Ashley (lf) and Katie (rt) from Xavier University (Ohio) worked in Lukaya for 7 weeks during the summer of 2009 along with friends Andrew and Tiffany (not shown)
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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--often out of desperation to survive. We walk freely on the streets of Lukaya during the day and with flashlights at night with no streetlights. We would not do that in many areas of the capital, Kampala. We constantly monitor events in Uganda to make sure conditions are safe for travel. In our February 2011 trip, we witnessed national and local elections.
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 (Amsterdam, Brussels, London) and make a connection there to Entebbe. Travel from the East Coast takes about 24 hours and covers nearly 8000 miles. In Uganda, we use a four-wheel drive vehicle owned by Tree of Life Ministries. Locals travel in packed cars or taxi vans. The primary roads are paved and pretty decent, but secondary roads are mostly dirt and can be very dusty or muddy. Travel by boda-boda (motorcycles) is very efficient but also risky & we do not recommend them. Also locals may hire bicycle boda-bodas. We walk a lot in town. This boda-boda ambulance took sick students to the clinic before we purchased our new van.
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 from green bananas, peeled, steamed on charcoal fires, and then mashed. Beans, rice, and a corn-based food called posho (like polenta) are all staples. Local fruits are available including mangos, papaya, jackfruit and pineapple. Meat and poultry are served in chunks as part of a stew cooked in banana leaf wrappings with hearty broth. Fish, especially Tilapia, 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 are beverage options.
Special meals like this are very predictable with the same foods including matoke, sweet and "Irish" potatoes, meats in a stew broth cooked in banana leaves, and rice. Most eating is done with the hands, not utensils. We are indulged with forks!
Special meals like this are very predictable with the same foods including matoke, sweet and "Irish" potatoes, meats in a stew broth cooked in banana leaves, and rice. Most eating is done with the hands, not utensils. We are indulged with forks!
9. How many bird species have been identified in Uganda?
An astounding 1050 different species in an area the size of the state of Oregon. Continental North America has about 850 species. Uganda is a birder’s paradise because of the diverse habitats that support different kinds of birds, and because both East and West African species can be found there. Several of the parks allow walking safaris that are excellent for birding and many remarkable birds hang around human dwellings at resorts and camps.
This saddle-billed stork stands among a host of different species including great cormorants, gulls, and pelicans along the banks of the Kazinga channel in western Uganda. The diversity is enormous.
This saddle-billed stork stands among a host of different species including great 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 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 Uganda safaris unique. The distances are much 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 all in a modest sized park. The number of primates there is unmatched, 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.
 Huge male hippo displays in Kazinga channel |  Baboons are common and troops often congregate on roads. |
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 $125-250 US per month. Mustard Seed teachers also receive food at school, a housing allowance, and medical care. TOLM also supports teachers seeking to further their educations. A laborer working all day in the hot sun may receive $5.00--about 14,000 Uganda shillings.
Salaries in Uganda are very low, so American dollars go a long way. This 10,000 shilling note is worth about $4.12 US, a day's wages for laborers. Exchange rates fluctuate widely from 1500 to 2900 Uganda schillings per dollar.
Salaries in Uganda are very low, so American dollars go a long way. This 10,000 shilling note is worth about $4.12 US, a day's wages for laborers. Exchange rates fluctuate widely from 1500 to 2900 Uganda schillings per dollar.
12. Could I get my church or civic organization involved in supporting the work of Real Partners Uganda?
Yes, by all means! We are currently working with seven churches, several schools and civic groups that support Mustard Seed Academy and related programs. During 2012 we are developing our campuses to provide permanent school rooms for the children, so we hope to find some groups that might raise money for a classroom ($20,000) or entire building (up to $150,000). We can provide plenty of lower priced options as well, and information is available if you click Contact Us.....
13. Is disease a problem for travelers in Uganda?
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 in terms of possible food contaminants. We have followed certain procedures and have had very few and minor health problems during our visits. The US Center for Disease Control and "travel" 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?
Rainy season downpour in Western Uganda.
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 70s and 80s. Dry seasons often have no rain for weeks and temperature during mid-day can get in high 90’s. Dry seasons can be very dusty with the orange-red dust covering everything. Wet seasons can be muddy, making smaller roads difficult to drive on. Lukaya is high enough in elevation that the temperatures are not extreme, but travelers need to come with clothing that is light and protects them from the sun. Equatorial sun is very intense. The evenings may be cool in the upper 60s.
15. What are the Ugandan people like?
Teachers enjoy banquet with US volunteers in Feb. 2010.
They are diverse, hardworking, social and generous. There are over 20 different tribes, each with a tribal language, but most speak at least some English, the official language of the country. In general Ugandans are very hospitable, helpful, and anxious to meet visitors. As a means of dealing with poverty and hardship, family groups are very close and people have strong social connections to one another. If you travel there you may learn special handshakes and experience Ugandan laughter --that often expresses joy or happiness. Despite all the hardship and poverty, it is difficult to find any Ugandan who is depressed.
