Hope of Children and Women Victims of Violence (HOCW) was founded in 2010 by refugees and international volunteers. A non-profit humanitarian organization, HOCW's mission is to provide the services that a refugee population need to succeed in their new country. We do this through education, job training, access to health care, advocacy, and community building activities such as football and dance.

HOCW's clients include an ever-changing population of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and other African nations, many of whom have experienced war, internal conflict, natural disasters, gender-based violence, and extreme poverty. Additionally, we serve Ugandans living in poverty in the village of Ndejje.

We have a small, full-time local staff composed mostly of refugees. We rely on partnerships with other NGOs as well as international volunteers to provide the manpower to help us carry out daily activities as well as share expertise and collaborate with our staff.

HOCW is a community center that provides services to an average of 150 people a day. We do our best to meet the needs of refugees though several programs:

Adult English Education: Many of the refugees that come to HOCW are from countries that do not share common languages with Uganda, such as DR Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi. This language barrier means that adult refugees struggle to find employment; have difficulty carrying out daily tasks; and often feel isolated from their neighbors. In the adult education classes, volunteers help these refugees learn English, facilitating their integration into society, opening the doors to jobs, and having a lot of fun along the way. We offer basic literacy classes and three levels of English.

Health: Zanta Clinic, one of the few public clinics in Kampala, is a short walk from our compound in Ndejje. This bustling primary care center offers services including HIV testing, prenatal care and preventive services. Zanta provides health care to a large population of vulnerable people and refugees, including most of the people we serve. HOCW partners with Zanta to provide health professional and health professional student volunteers.

HOCW also provides health education seminars and classes -- volunteers with expertise in this area may work with HOCW staff to plan and conduct workshops.

Language barriers and discrimination can be barriers to refugees as the access the health services they need. Volunteers can accompany HOCW clients to medical appointments to advocate on their behalf.

Many of the people we serve are victims of rape and other acts of violence. There is very little mental health infrastructure in Uganda and HOCW does what we can to work with victims of trauma and war. Based on volunteer skills and appropriate training, we have offered popular art and group therapy sessions.

Social Development: Many of the people we work with are incredibly talented and creative. We work with them to nourish these talents and turn them into viable businesses. We have a small tailoring shop, a small hair dressing shop, a mushroom growing collective, as well as groups of women that produce jewelry and baskets. We are working to create a collective of artists and craftspeople. We welcome volunteers that have creativity or business lessons to share. Many of the women also participate in a one of four Village Savings and Loan groups that we have started with the help of IRC.

Youth Activities: State run education in Uganda is very limited. The reality for the families we serve is that if they cannot afford school fees, their children cannot go to school. Because of this, many children spend long periods of their childhood not in school. We serve many children who are not in school at all and many more who are far behind in their studies. We try to provide as many organized activities as possible including academic lessons, sports and arts. We are looking for volunteers who have experience teaching academics, coaching sports or are interested in teaching music, dance, drama or other cultural activities. Currently, this is a part-time program.

Our Contacts

HOCW Executive Director: Mr. BolingoNtahira Email: ntahira.hocw@gmail.com Phone:+256-752-831-236

Volunteer Coordinator: Ms. Kelly Rigney Email: kelly.hocw@gmail.com