What inspired you to go abroad?
I have always wanted to volunteer abroad, since I was a child. Throughout the years, I never stopped thinking about it. I always wanted to feel useful and to help (even if just a little) other communities in another countries. Africa was in my list a long time ago, and I decided I wanted to go to Uganda after checking a few things on the country.
A weekend at Leslie's
Why did you choose The Real Uganada?
After my decision was made, I found The Real Uganda. I loved their approach and that made me feel even more comfortable to go. Leslie, the director, was constantly in touch through email and facebook, for more than a year before I went to Uganda. I chose first Village Primary School Teaching and then went to Community Outreach (2 months in Village Primary School Teaching and then 1 month with Community Outreach). As said before, I chose this program because I really wanted to be a part of a community in Uganda.
What was your favorite part about Uganda?
I loved my 3 month stay in Uganda. I was in Uganda before, in 2016, for almost 3 weeks, again through GVN and then The Real Uganda. Unfortunately I had to leave sooner, so I decided that in 2017 I would come back to stay longer. I am really happy I did; it was an amazing experience. The people, the culture and the fact that I was living within a community and living like them made me feel even more "at home"; that is the greatest feeling I had that I brought with me to my home country. In Uganda, you feel at home, people are kind; I really want to return someday to Uganda.
Gettin' to know the kids in Kkoba Village
What made your experience abroad unique?
The country, the people I met(both local and volunteers), the director of the The Real Uganda, bonding with the locals like family, and seeing that they were happy to have us, as I was happy to be there with them. It makes us think more clearly, when we get home, that we don't need to have the things we have…
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
This one is easy! Leslie, director of the The Real Uganda, supported me like family. She was in constant contact with me and the other volunteers to guarantee we were doing fine. Plus, she would come regularly to our placement to work with us for a day and spend some time with us; so if you needed to talk or even to go to her place sooner, she would be the first to talk to you, try to understand what you were going through, and help you all the way.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
First of all, spend more time volunteering and enjoying Uganda.
Safari, amazing!
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
I used to get up very early; usually I would wash the dishes (in the village - first program) and then serve breakfast to the babies class: they would come at 10h from the school in the compound. Until 13h, I would help in the kitchen and do my own things: wash my clothes, clean the bedroom, etc. At 13h, the whole school would come for lunch and I was the one serving it to all of them. During the afternoon, there was more free time, that I usually spent playing with 3 of the small kids living in the orphanage. In the other project, Community Outreach, I would get up early too, usually to work in a clinic or to help rebuild a school in a remote village. I would have lunch at home and then in the afternoon there were plenty of things to do: I could join the women's group and make my own sandals (which I did!!), or go to the local school and teach some of the classes, which I also did and all of it was an amazing experience.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I usually went to the house of the director, Leslie, and would meet up there with other volunteers. Sometimes we would just stay there for the weekend, but the weekends were a very nice opportunity to see some beautiful places in Uganda.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
My accommodation was very simple, both times. A bed (bunk bed), small table and that's it. In the second program I was living in a house, so I was sleeping in a room with another girl (local, from the family) and there was a whole house for us. I started to enjoy a lot more morning showers; cold water in Uganda is the best ever! All the projects I went to, people were extremely careful on what we could and liked to eat, which is precisely what the Ugandans are like.
Being a teacher in Uganda!
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
Don't expect a "regular" life like you are used to. This experience pushes your limits and the ability that you have to live differently. For me, that was one of the things I liked the most; and of course, I cannot thank Leslie enough for all the help provided everytime we needed anything.
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
A lot actually. I still miss my life in Uganda; the projects I worked for and all the people (locals!) that I met: all of them had their impact on my life. Some days it is not so easy to get up and go to work from 9 till 5, when you remember all the amazing and useful things you were doing while volunteering abroad. You just have to accept it is over (for now) and look on the positive side: I was there, I loved it and I would do it again, Now, I can look back on my 50's and say that I don't regret at all the choices I've made, they made me a better person.
Would you recommend The Real Uganada to others? Why?
Definitely. This experience is a life changing one, it really makes you think about what is important and what really matters. When you have so "little" and your life makes perfect sense, that's when you truly are living life to the fullest. Uganda made me feel that and the people I encountered throughout my journey.
