ENTEBBE BRANCH 4TH QUARTER REPORT, 2009
Overview
The Uganda Red Cross Society, Entebbe branch has continued to improve the quality of lives of the most vulnerable communities in and around Entebbe branch’s area of operation. Both planned and unplanned activities were successfully implemented during the fourth quarter.
Summary of Activities and Achievements during the quarter
- 9 volunteers continued to render services at Entebbe Hospital
- The branch football team continues to play in Uganda’s 1st division
- 3 youth fellowships conducted with a total of 500 youth participating
- A total of 215 new members were recruited
- One fundraising function at the Youth day celebrations
- First aid services at five public functions
- A total of 300 units of blood was collected
-4 Branch Youth Council and two Branch Governing Board meetings conducted majorly focusing on activity implementation and new Belgian partnership.
- 3 Road Safety sessions carried out in schools
- 1 Risk mapping community out reaches
- 2 women groups support with a revolving fund
- 2 community clean ups conducted
- 2 community Based First Aid training carried
- 1 youth camp conducted and 280 youth participated
- Youth day celebrations
- 1 HIV/AIDS campaign during the youth day celebrations
- 1 fire safety sensitization sessionconducted
- 1 PPM training conducted
- New offices occupied
- 6 families support with basic items.
- Hosted 5 national trainings
- Fire emergency attended to at Entebbe Airport.
- 14 dissemination sessions conducted
- 2 Painting of emblems in a bid to fight abuse
GOAL:
Sustainable improvement in the quality of life of the most vulnerable communities in Entebbe
Objective 1
CAPACITY BUILDING: Build and strengthen branch capacity, youth and volunteer management and community development to improve the lives of the vulnerable.
Activity: Red Cross Centre
The branch shifted to the new office during the fourth quarter and this has enhanced the image of the Red Cross. The branch however still maintains the old office for the time being as clients get used to the new premises.
Activity: Youth Fellowship
The branch is still using this as a strategy to involve, retain and motivate the young people to help support the branch in carrying out activities. A total of 500 youth turned up for the youth fellowships. They acquired knowledge on life skills and shared developmental experiences.
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Activity: Youth Camps
Youth camps in Entebbe are a forum for membership, dissemination, skills acquisition and experience sharing. A total of 280 students from within Entebbe Branch participated in a youth camp held at Entebbe Girls Secondary School from 27th – 3rd December. Through this for a, the youth acquired Basic first aid skills, practical soap, leadership skills, Life planning Skills and practical commercial skill on neck-less, soap and tomato sauce making. This is aimed at enabling young people start up small income generating initiatives to enable them earn a living.
Activity: Sports
The branch is proud to have managed to develop the football team that helps to build talent among the youth and at the same time keep them busy. The team will take part in this year’s Wakiso District 1st Division match that will be the determining point for it to join the super division league.
Activity: Membership Recruitment
During the quarter under review, the branch managed to recruit 215 members under various membership categories. The subscription by the new members has boosted local fundraising at the branch.
Objective b)
SERVICE PROGRAMME: Improve the health status of the vulnerable and affected communities by reducing morbidity and mortality arising from common diseases and health emergencies
Activity: First Aid Services
During the quarter under review, the branch offered First Aid services at various public functions and in schools. The first aid services offered at the Independence Day celebrations and during the 13th Edition of Inter University games hosted by Nkumba University improved the image and created public awareness of the work of Red Cross. A total of 314 causalities were attended to.
Three community-based first aid trainings were carried out with a total of 70 participants in attendance. The participants acquired skills for administering first aid to enable them offer the service in their communities.
Activity: Blood Donor Recruitment
The branch mobilized residents for bleeding sessions and was able to collect 583 units.
Activity: Road Safety
The branch continued to create road safety awareness with support from the Health and Care Department.
Two road safety campaigns were conducted at Comprehensive School and New high School. The branch also sensitized cyclists and drivers with the intent to reduce road accidents.
Activity: HIV/AIDS awareness.
In a bid to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, the branch continued to disseminate information about HIV/AIDS in its areas of operation. Over 1,000 IEC materials were distributed during the youth day celebrations and on World Aids Day. A total of 7,000 condoms where distributed to Nkumba University students as requested by the University authorities.
Activity: Hospital Team Activities
The branch with the support of the Health and Care department has maintained a team of 9 volunteers at the various wards at Entebbe Hospital to help in the hospital operations.
The continued presence of the Red Cross at the hospital has not only strengthened the branch activities but also strengthened the corporate image of the branch and URCS in general.
Activity: Disaster Preparedness and Response
The branch responded to the fire outbreak at Entebbe International Air Port by stationing a standby team of nine volunteers in case of any eventualities.
Furthermore, following the Disaster training hosted by the branch, one Vulnerability Capacity Assessment exercise was conducted at Lwenjaba landing site. A number of risks like diseases and drowning were pointed out by the participants. Interventions to curb the risks will start this year.
Activity: Community Service
The branch engaged in community service at Nakiwogo Landing Site, Bita Ababiri, and Kawuku where it cleaned up and sensitized residents on the importance of good hygiene.
Objective C)
Exchange and Contact: To promote mutual knowledge and understanding
Activity: Link-Link Youth Exchange Programme.
During the quarter under review, inter youth exchange was between Entebbe Parents and Bethel College. The young people shared experiences on activities implemented in the two clubs to enable them start up seamier initiatives. Talent development was also realized as a result of sports competition. Also 10 volunteers visited Hoima branch in a bid to share experiences on which possible activities could be borrowed to Entebbe branch.
Objective d)
Administration: Enhance organizational development in areas of policies and systems, human resources, finance, logistics and audit for efficient and effective service delivery
The Youth Programme supported the volunteer focal person and this helped the branch to recruit new members and to improve data collection. This contributed to better service delivery.
Activity: Women Revolving fund.
Two women groups have developed small projects that have helped them earn a living as a result of the revolving fund. The money has to be refunded to allow other groups start up seamier activities.
Activity: BGB/BYC meetings and seminars/workshops
During the period under review, Entebbe branch managed to hold BYC and BGB meetings and other meetings required especially for the construction of the Red Cross center.
The branch hosted 5 workshops that to say training on Disaster management, community development manual workshop, DRR, National training in PPM and PPM Training, and youth leadership planning meeting, massages development.
In a two roomed house in Wakataayi Village, Kakakala Parish, Zirobwe Sub County, Luweero district lives 12 year old primary school going Nakku Sherinah. She studies in Primary four at Kijugumbya Primary school. The household has seven (7) members with a 50 year old Nakimuli Sarah (grand mother) as the family head and Nakku being the second elder child in this home. 
