VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN ZAMBIA AND UGANDA

Volunteer Opportunity
Justo Mwale Theological University College
Lusaka, Zambia
Overview:
JMTUC was founded almost thirty years ago to serve both the Reformed and Presbyterian churches in Central and Southern Africa. It is, however, interdenominational-- with students coming from several different countries and tribal groups. It offers both Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and will begin offering a Master’s Degree in Theology in 2010.

The Library:
By African standards, the library facility is spacious and has a seating capacity of 25-30 students. It includes a computer lab with about 12 computers--all of which are on the Internet. The book collection is sizeable--about 13,000 volumes with basic Dewey classification. In general, it is rather dated, but an effort has recently been made to acquire new books and journals. The collection has been entered into a database that has limited capabilities, is difficult to use, and does not have keyword search and circulation capabilities. It needs to be transferred to a standard integrated cataloging circulation program.

Volunteer Assistance Needed:
The primary task will be to transfer the collection to LibraryWorld.com--the Internet based integrated cataloging circulation system currently used by the library. This task will include entering MARC records into the new system, and processing the books to make them shelf ready.

Additional tasks may include helping to reorganize the collection, assisting students, and helping to promote and integrate the use of Internet based resources in the library.

Time Frame:
Scheduling is very flexible, although the best time to volunteer is when students are present. The length of time can also be quite flexible. Two to three months would be best, but a shorter length will be considered. Consideration will need to be given to coordinate your volunteer time with our schedule, so that we will be able to work with you on site as you get started.

What else would you like to know?
As SCLI Program Coordinators, we will work with you in all phases of the volunteer process. This will include helping you have as complete an understanding as possible of the situation where you will be volunteering, and what needs to be accomplished. Spouses are most welcome. Their library knowledge is not important. If you would like, you are welcome to work together in the library. If not, there are always plenty of meaningful volunteer activities either on the campus or elsewhere in the mission community that can engage your spouse.


Volunteer Opportunity
Pentecostal Theological College
Mbale, Uganda

Overview:
The primary mission of PTC is to train pastors for the Pentecostal Assemblies of God denomination in Uganda. The college has developed a relationship with Christian Reformed World Missions because of the work of CRWRC in Uganda, as well as its recognition of the importance of having a Reformed worldview perspective. The college has an enrollment of about forty students. The majority of them are in the Diploma program, but several are working toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology. Both the faculty and students have an engaging Christian spirit and total commitment to serving Christ in their lives and ministries.

The Library:
It is about the size of a typical classroom with a small annex. Several large study tables occupy much of its space, giving it a very crowded appearance. The book collection numbers about three to four thousand—but no records exist to confirm this. It is generally dated, although some newer donated books have recently been added to the collection. Many of the older books have deteriorated to the point that they are nearly unusable. On the other hand, the newer books provide some excellent resource material. However, most of them have not been cataloged, nor are they accessible, except by shelf browsing. Although the reference collection has some good materials, almost nothing is new. No computerized information resources are available. The college recently got its first Internet access, and it is being used by the library assistant to input books into LibraryWorld.com, the Internet based integrated cataloging circulation system now being used by the library. Christine, the library assistant, is making some progress, but much more help is needed to catalog and organize the collection.

Volunteer Assistance that is needed:

• Assist, guideand support the library assistant
• Enter the library’s newer book collection into LibraryWorld.com
• Process books to make them shelf ready
• Weed the collection
• Suggest new books and other materials that could be added to the collection
• Assist students when necessary
• And…much more if time and energy permits

Time Frame:
Scheduling is very flexible, although the best time to volunteer is when students are present. The length of time can also be quite flexible. Two to three months would be best, but a shorter length will be considered. Consideration will need to be given to coordinate your volunteer time with our schedule, so that we will be able to work with you on site as you get started.

What else would you like to know?As SCLI Program Coordinators, we will work with you in all phases of the volunteer process. This will include helping you have as complete an understanding as possible of the situation where you will be volunteering, and what needs to be accomplished. Spouses are most welcome. Their library knowledge is not important. If you would like, you are welcome to work together in the library. If not, there are always plenty of meaningful volunteer activities either on the campus or elsewhere in the mission community that can engage your spouse.
Posted 1/2010