Would You Like to Teach in Uganda?

Here’s an incredible opportunity for any atheist who’d like to make a difference in another country.

The Atheist Alliance International (AAI) is partnering with its affiliate, the Kasese United Humanist Association (KUHA), to provide the opportunity for between 4 and 6 volunteers to spend two to three months this fall, beginning September 1, 2010, in Uganda teaching children ages 6 to 12 years at the Kilembe Valley Humanist Nursery & Primary School.

…

The curriculum is designed to provide education based on the foundations of humanism and science.

In order to qualify, you must:

Submit a $250 participation fee (which can be returned if you’re not selected)
Be at least 21-years-old
Have a current passport
Have at least an Associate’s Degree
Sign a waiver of liability

Your round trip to Uganda will be covered by AAI.

There are other fees associated with all of this, but if the finances are what’s stopping you, AAI might be able to help you out. Don’t let the finances stop you if you want to do this.

All the details, as well as the application, can be found here (PDF).

Applications must be received by July 15^th.

(Thanks to Todd for the link!)

Michael Hawkins

I wouldn’t trust being in Uganda as a declared atheist for a second. The place is willing to try and jail gays for 14 years, so what’s to say they won’t be irrational towards atheists?
Kyle

Considering I’m gay, that would be a very, VERY bad move. 🙁
Eric Santiago

I don’t have a degree, but I’d sign up in a heartbeat. Someone has to put it out there that atheists are willing to go the extra mile for the education of HUMAN MINDS, as opposed to others motivated by “saving” souls.
Dan W

I agree with Michael Hawkins. Places that aren’t very tolerant of gays, like Uganda, are probably not very tolerant of atheists either. I’m willing to bet the waiver of liability has something to do with that.
Sharmin

This sounds like a great thing to do to help others. Unfortunately, I don’t have my degree yet. Do you know if they will be doing this again in the future and/or on a regular basis?
Abigail

What an amazing way to dispel the insane notion that religion equals charity and giving.
Erp

Uganda actually has a fairly long standing Humanist Association and humanists runs several secondary schools. The second link also provides a lot of background info on education in Uganda; well worth reading and shows other ways people can help.

BTW in the last census in 2002, just under 1% put down ‘none’ as their religious affiliation.
Jordan

On a not so positive, and slightly comical note, this news article shows how religion in Uganda is going.

http://bit.ly/aNuPqD
JulietEcho

I think I’m going to apply. I went to Africa (Zambia, not Uganda) on a summer-long mission trip as a teenager, and I was pretty haunted by the fact that we raised so much money from our churches and used so many resources, only to squander it all on evangelizing instead of doing *anything* helpful for the poverty-stricken people there, or those affected by AIDS, etc.

It would be amazing to have a chance to, in a way, come full circle: having left Christianity completely, to go back to an African country where help is needed, and actually provide a useful service.
Danny

I’ve seen the video of that fool of a preacher whipping the crowds into a homicidal frenzy of homophobia. I wouldn’t last an hour in that country.
Anna

Uganda actually has a fairly long standing Humanist Association and humanists run several secondary schools.

How interesting! I had no idea humanists ran schools in Uganda, or anywhere else for that matter. I checked out the links and the school reports, and it sounds like they’re doing a great job with very limited resources. Maybe the Foundation Beyond Belief (or another secular charity) would be interested in raising the profile of these schools a bit more.