PEACE CORPS UGANDA

PO Box 7007, Plot 48 Malcolm X, Kololo, Kampala, Uganda

Telephone: 256.317.111200; 256 0317111200, Fax 256.317.111.299

DESCRIPTION OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER SERVICE

Matthew Killham, Education Volunteer Peace Corps Uganda

After a competitive application process stressing applicant skills, adaptability and cross-cultural
understanding, Mr. Matthew Killham was invited into Peace Corps Service. As part of the
language and cross-cultural component of the training program, Mr. Killham lived with a
Ugandan family in Luweero for approximately 4 weeks and was made to feel welcome and at
home. This home stay assisted Mr. Killham in adapting to the Ugandan culture and acquiring
local language abilities, thus facilitating the transition into his service at Kabulasoke
Demonstration School, Gomba, Central Region.

Mr. Killham began Peace Corps training on November 13, 2013 at a training site in Wakiso
District, Uganda where he completed an intensive ten-week training program encompassing the
following subject areas:

CULTURE: The cultural training component focused on politics, geography,

history, cultural values, and social norms (40 hours).

TECHNICAL: This component included a general introduction to the education

system in Uganda; a specific introduction to universal
primary/universal secondary education in schools and teacher training;
issues that affect a childs ability to learn e.g. gender, disability,
HIV/AIDS; school management and administrative structure; extra-
curricular activities; community mobilization; practice teaching in
secondary schools; delivering seminars for students and teachers;
instructional material development; and observation and feedback
skills. Mr. Killham also participated in community health sessions
focusing on the various health issues prevalent in Uganda including
HIV/AIDS, Malaria, water and sanitation, and nutrition, amongst
others (120 hours).

LANGUAGE: The language component of training was comprised of an intensive

study of the Luganda language centering on practical application
through various community simulations. The ACTFL exam for
Luganda was passed with a score of Intermediate Medium (90 hours).

HEALTH & SAFETY: The health and safety training consisted of first aid, tropical medicine,
preventative medicine, stress management, personal safety issues and
road safety (30 hours).
Mr. Killham entered into Peace Corps service January 22, 2014, and was assigned to Kabulasoke
Demonstration School. The initial three months of his/her service in Kabulasoke was spent as an
integration and community assessment period, whereby Mr. Killham worked to identify potential
development partners in the community. During this time he/she focused on learning the school
curriculum, observing operations in the different departments, teaching, participating in all prior-
scheduled activities and field work, and becoming familiar with community members. Mr.
Killham also forged relationships with several other local groups during this time, including a
teachers training college and two non-governmental organizations. Mr. Killhams specific
activities completed during his/her service included the following:

Educational Support/Information Technology

Taught English, Mathematics and HIV/AIDS prevention and management 10 hours/week
to classes with up to 70 Primary 2-7 students.
Taught weekly computer lessons to 15 primary school teachers and local community
members.
Created a school-wide behavioral-incentive program as an alternative to traditional
corporal punishment methods.
Tested 50-100 learners on a termly basis utilizing the EGRA Lite Reading Assessment to
provide up-to-date information on the ongoing success or shortcomings of the Ugandan
primary literacy project.
Planned and facilitated multiple workshops at Kabulasoke Demonstration School,
centered on topics including HIV/AIDS and library usage and maintenance.

Project Development and Organizational Support

Worked with community members to secure a $5000 grant which was by the PCV and
school administration to create the schools first playground, football field and netball
court.
Designed and produced the schools first library, filling it with 2000 books, educational
games and various learning materials.
Created and coached the schools soccer team, leading them to place second in sub-zonal
competitions.

Specialized training
3 day HIV/AIDS workshop, Peace Corps Uganda
4 day Literacy Workshop, Peace Corps Africa Region
2 day Student Friendly Schools Workshop, Peace Corps Uganda
3 day In-service Training, Peace Corps Uganda

Leadership in Peace Corps

Designed, coordinated and facilitated 5 regional library workshops with 70 participants
focused on library leadership, book organization and school integration.
Container Captain, Books for Africa project. Guided community members as they raised
$10,000 to cover the cost of shipping 20,000 books from the United States to Uganda.
Coordinated the shipment and distribution of 20,000 books and led volunteers as they
created/improved dozens of school libraries across Uganda.
Secondary Projects
Hosted bi-weekly American Dinner Nights to foster intercultural exchange between
PCVs and community members.
Designed, created and implemented a daily reading program using local materials to
address literacy shortcomings in lower primary classes.

Mr. Killham successfully completed his/her service on December 3, 2015.

This is to certify in accordance with Executive Order 11103 of April 10, 1963, that Mr. Killham
served successfully as a Peace Corps Volunteer. He is therefore eligible to be appointed as a
career-conditional employee in the competitive civil service on a non-competitive basis. This
benefit under the Executive Order extends for a period of one year after termination of Volunteer
service, except that the employing agency may extend the period for up to three years for a
former Volunteer who enters military service, pursues studies at a recognized institution of
higher learning, or engages in other activities that, in the view of the appointing agency, warrant
extension of the period.

Pursuant to section 5(f) of the Peace Corps Act, 22 USC 2504(f), as amended, any former
Volunteer employed by the United States Government following his Peace Corps Volunteer
service is entitled to have any period of satisfactory Peace Corps Volunteer service credited for
purposes of retirement, seniority, reduction in force, leave, and other privileges based on length
of Government service. Peace Corps service shall not be credited toward completion of the
probationary or trial period or completion of any service requirement for career appointment.

_____________________________________________ ______________________
Matthew Killham - Peace Corps Volunteer Date

______________________________________________ ______________________
Nikki Shire Director of Management and Operations, Date
Peace Corps Uganda

COS/ET Form H-Education: 2/2014