I spent February in Uganda as a volunteer for Child’s i and had a memorable and enjoyable experience. The first 3 weeks I was a volunteer, then my husband joined me for a week and we became tourists, visiting Murchison Falls Park to see lions, elephant monkeys and much more, we also visited Jinga and the source of the Nile.
I had worked as a volunteer in Africa, twice before. The first time was for 15months with VSO as a nurse tutor in the bush in Malawi. The second time was for 6 weeks, training nurses in Somaliland. I wanted a chance to volunteer again and relished the chance to spend time in Kampala.
I went out to help with training the local volunteers who will help support the mothers who are at risk of abandoning their babies, because they can see no alternative. Without money to buy food, clothes and shelter and absolutely no-one to turn to for help ,any mother might be tempted to do the same! I also helped with the policies and planning, which had to be in place before the charity could get Government approval to take in babies or help mothers
The two weeks of planning before the course were frustrated by constant power cuts, which always seemed to occur when we had a lot of material from the course presenters, to turn into powerpoint presentations and to print off handouts. Frustration also with people not keeping appointments, when we were waiting for them, the venue which had been promised to us for the week long training course, being withdrawn just 5 days before we were due to start the course. The afternoon Megan and I spent walking into countless shops, trying to get biros a penny cheaper and flip charts and folders at the cheapest possible price, was an education – a word of advice to anyone going out to Kampala – it is not worth trying to overcharge Megan for anything, she will push the hardest bargain in Africa.
Mary Mayes with four of the volunteers
Lucy managed to get us an excellent venue for free (how does she do it?) and the course was very successful. All of the Ba Nnakywa (volunteers) attended the full 5 days of the course, we had some great speakers and the programme was full and well balanced. Megan & I both taught one session each, but used local experts for the other sessions.Whilst in Kampala, I acquired some skills, including what to do when Ian (the volunteer TV producer) shouted (piece to camera Mary)!
I left Uganda sadly, with lots of memories and photos having met and worked with some great people, and huge admiration for the way Lucy and her team make what seems the impossible happen. If you have skills and are tempted to volunteer, I would recommend it.
If you would like to find out more about volunteering in Uganda email: volunteer@childsifoundation.org
