How to Help Us

Communication

The first suggestion of how to help us, is just to communicate with us. We all need encouragement and so by sending an e-mail or another form of contact and saying – “Hi” helps us.

If you are part of an organization, especially a children’s one, then the children in our centres would love to hear from you, especially with any photos or drawings that you could send as well. Our children would love to respond to you and reply back either once or ongoing like pen-pals.

Visiting / Volunteering

PASNEC staff and children have always enjoyed visitors to either of our Centres. If you live in Uganda or are visiting and would like to call in for a visit then please let us know or just call in. Kanyanya Centre is a short distance from Kampala City Centre. Seguku Centre is about 30 minutes drive from Kampala but is on the way to Entebbe, where the airport is, so it can be combined with going or coming from it.

PASNEC would particularly welcome people who come to stay for a while, whether for a week or so or for a longer period of time. Visitors can get to know the children and find out their likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. You can join them in their activities or choose a specific pursuit that you think they would like to do. We love having people to join us.

People with specific skills can also be used – whatever they are. We choose not to write a wish list of volunteers with specific skills since we would encourage anyone to come and spend time with us. If you have a particular area that you are specialized in and are unsure of your usefulness, then please get in touch with us. 99% of the time, I am sure your help would be invaluable.

PASNEC has had both national and international students on placement. These have been mostly teachers, social workers or occupational therapy students. So, if you are a student, particularly in one of those areas, then please think of coming to do a placement with us. We do have accommodation at both centres for you.

Over the years, we have also had teams who have come to help us, often with a specific project. There are always things that we would love to do to expand our work with the children. If you could get a group of people to come out and volunteer with us, even if it is for just 1 week, then please let us know and we can suggest projects big and small that you could work upon. If there are a large number of people and we do not have all the accommodation required then there is quite cheap accommodation nearby at either centre.

Lionel and Donna painting the wall at Kanyanya Centre.

Working at PASNEC has truly been a life changing and inspiring experience. At the best of times, working with special needs children and adults is always a huge challenge and especially when African countries like Uganda have such limited resources. The resource that PASNEC does have a great deal of, is their care and devotion to the children and their creativity in using what little they do have to the fullest. We have always felt very welcome and included at the Centre. We have had the opportunity to do a variety of activities including painting a mural on the outside wall of Kanyanya Centre with the help of staff members, supporting the teachers, interacting with the children in the classrooms and at play. We have been involved in some of the children’s academic activities, their vocational and life skills classes and this year we had so much fun working with staff to paint a mural on their driveway wall. Most importantly, our years of volunteering at PASNEC have afforded us the opportunity to develop rich lifelong relationships and we have been touched so profoundly by these relationships. We are truly grateful and feel privileged to have participated in some small way at the Centre.

 

Best wishes and may God bless you all.
Lionel and Donna
I am from the UK and have been volunteering at PASNEC for the past six months. After completing my A-levels, I had hoped to spend a few weeks at PASNEC, but my plans were unfortunately put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Since then, I have worked at a special needs school in the UK, which strengthened my passion for supporting children with additional needs and encouraged me to volunteer at PASNEC for a longer period of time. My time at PASNEC in 2026 has been a truly memorable and rewarding experience. It has been a privilege to get to know the children, and support their learning and daily activities. The children are full of joy, love and enthusiasm, and some of my favourite moments have been spent baking, playing sports, making music and dancing together. This experience has given me a broader perspective on life and a greater understanding of the importance of patience, empathy and inclusion, as well as many valuable practical skills. I have loved being part of the PASNEC community, where the dedication and care shown by the staff creates an environment where every child is loved and valued. PASNEC is a truly special place, providing support and opportunities for children with special needs here in Uganda, and I feel incredibly grateful to have been part of it.
Hannah

Hannah learning & helping how to make mandazi ( like donuts without the jam)

Donating to PASNEC

In Uganda, if you have any items (donations in kind) that you no longer have need for, either new or good quality, that you think we may be able to use, then please contact us. Old tyres, leather shoes and mosquito nets come in especially useful.

In the UK, if you have any items (donations in kind) that are no longer required, then please contact us. Children’s DVD’s and electrical goods (especially laptops and mobile phones) as well as many other items come in very useful and can be brought to Uganda.

If you are in the UK, how about organizing a fund-raising event for us, when you share about PASNEC at the same time? This could include selling some of the items that our children have made, that have been brought over to the UK, a quiz evening, a sponsored walk, a drinks and snacks evening etc. Please be imaginative and creative and help us if you can.

Of course another way of donating is financially. We appreciate any help in this area, whether big or small and whether a one off or ongoing. Even a little money can go a long way. Disability is not usually something that generates much money. Our costs are not covered by the fees we pay alone and we are working on becoming totally self sufficient in the long run. Our income generating activities are increasing.

Our children are often marginalized. In a country where there are low incomes and not much free schooling and schooling is not compulsory, families often struggle to find school fees. The disabled child is often left until last to be helped, if at all. We especially appreciate people who feel that they can give a monthly amount so that it sponsors a child or partly sponsors a child. ( 750,000 Ug shillings sponsors a child boarding with us for 1 term. In the UK, about £45 a month sponsors a child boarding.) We can give you a photo of the child and information about the child that you are sponsoring so that you know where or who your money is going to.

If you wish a one off donation or regular giving to go towards a specific project or item we can give you the accountability for it or even show you a copy of our audited annual accounts.

If you are donating from the UK you may make your donation/s via Basingstoke Community Churches or Community Churches Connected, which is based in Basingstoke, Hampshire where the Director’s home church is. The church is a registered charity and money given to PASNEC can be gift aided if you are a tax payer. You can download the forms from here to make your donation and transfer money electronically but please remember to say that it is for “PEARLS”.

Gift Aid Declaration
Standing Order BCCs Pearls of Africa