Homelessness in Uganda &
the United kingdom

Many school leavers in Uganda set off for the urban areas to look for jobs, a situation similar to the United Kingdom - and there is not enough accommodation in the urban areas to cope with the increasing number of people.

Many of the young people go to stay with friends and relatives initially. However, in spite of this, it is still common to find homeless people,living on the streets and in the slums on the outskirts of the big cities.

Some of the homeless people are those that have been affected by the civil war and forced out of their rural villages.

These people come from the eastern and northern parts of Uganda, where rebel activities still continue. They survive by selling toys and cigarettes on the streets by day and then huddling together in the slums at night.

More programme ideas

1. Homelessness in the United Kingdom

How much does your Unit know about the homelessness problem in the United Kingdom? Invite a speaker to your Unit one evening to discuss this? Find out about shelter's 'Campaign for Action' to help the 420,000 homeless adults and children (estimate for end of 1992) in the United Kingdom.

2. Sponsored sleep-out

Find out what it feels like to sleep in cardboard boxes and old blankets for the night. Get the Unit to hold a sponsored 'sleep out' to raise money for one of the charity groups that helps the homeless.

3. The Big Issue

In London there is a magazine produced, called 'The Big Issue' for homeless people to sell to the public. In other cities in the United Kingdom, there are similar schemes to help the homeless to help themselves. Find out
more, and as a Unit, resolve to buy the magazines on a regular basis?

4. Practical help

Could your Unit help the homeless in more practical ways? Perhaps you could help at some of the overnight centres or in the hot meal kitchens, aimed at giving homeless people a good meal or decent shelter every so often. Contact your local charity group for further information.