Learning Journeys


Learning Journeys provide opportunities for CPF participants to share experiences with colleagues from Ugandan civil society. Learning Journeys will travel to projects within a 35km radius of Kampala, and provide opportunity for learning and exchange between people of the Commonwealth on shared issues and challenges they face.


Learning Journeys will take place on Wednesday 21 November. Those listed below are confirmed and more details about them will be available closer to the CPF.

CPF participants can register for a Learning Journey upon arrival at the CPF.

Mildmay Centre
The Mildmay Centre opened in 1998 and is part of an international network of centres for HIV and AIDS. The Centre is a large and busy place, providing care to patients, training a cross section of people in caring for people with HIV and AIDS, and offering a degree course in Health Systems Approach to HIV and AIDS Care and Management in conjunction with the University of Manchester in the UK. It also conducts training courses using mobile training teams and has four clinics in rural areas.

Agali Amawu Farmers Development Association
A chance to visit this unique and innovative farming community in the Wakiso District where farmers have developed a new type of fertiliser which considerably increases crop yields. This community are now able to live and make a living off the land thanks to this award winning fertiliser.

Innovations at Makerere University Committee (I@MAK)
An opportunity to discover the many community based improvements developed by this group. The projects focus on tackling a wide range of sustainable development issues through groundbreaking and affordable innovations such as eliminating disease by developing a hand-washing system. Other projects include water heating systems and affordable sanitary pads for schoolgirls.

Ndere Centre - CANCELLED
The Ndere Centre was founded to identify and assist disadvantaged but talented young people realise their creative potential. One of the Centre's major objectives is to showcase Ugandan culture through music and dance. This vibrant and exciting Learning Journey will provide opportunities to see innovative and diverse Ugandan performing arts.

Community Health and Information Network (CHAIN)
This project aims to improve the economic and social well being of people who have been left vulnerable by the ravages of HIV and AIDS. There is an overwhelming number of orphans and grandparent led households within a community and these households have no dependable income. CHAIN looks to address the needs of these people by providing education, counselling and contributing towards sustainable livelihoods.

Mental Health Uganda
Mental Health Uganda provides shelter and support for those living with mental illness. The organisation also works to eliminate the social stigmas that are associated with mental illness and to empower those with mental illness to contribute to their communities. Mental Health Uganda is a groundbreaking organisation in a society where mental illness is not fully understood.

Aga Khan Foundation: Madrasa Resource Centre
The Madrasa Preschool Programme's philosophy is to promote a community based early childhood education and development programme for children who have little access to education. The initiative empowers community members to identify the resources needed for a pre-school and then guide those members on how to build it. The programme is geared towards education predominantly in Muslim communities.

Market Vendors AIDS Project
An innovative project by market vendors to address issues relating to HIV and AIDS awareness, prevention, care and support. The project operates in three vibrant markets in Kampala. The biggest, St Balikuddembe Market, has 45,000 vendors, 70% of whom are women. Project activities include sensitisation, counselling, HIV and AIDS testing and treatment. 

Participants are asked to read the advance information on the project available at the bottom of this page.

Uganda Youth Development Link
A progressive learning journey in three parts. This organisation's overarching aim is to give a vocational education to those youths who most need it. The first step in this project's journey is for young people between the ages of ten and 24 to have access to a safe drop-in centre which is monitored by social workers. There are also outposts of these centres which are deliberately based in slum areas in order to recognise young people who are at risk. Social workers then refer those in need to the Masoli Vocational Retreat Centre which also acts as a temporary shelter. This will conclude the journey.

National Chemotherapeutic Research Laboratory
The Natural Chemical Treatment Research Laboratory (NCTRL) is a research unit under the Ministry of Health in the Uganda Government and has been in place since 1962.  Since then the institution has expanded into a serious research centre in herbal medicine. It also supplies information to the Ministry of Health, by assisting with formulating relevant policies in areas such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and sickle cells.


Related Documents
Market Vendors AIDS Project advance information 3539 KB)