In 2009 I went to Uganda to work there as a volunteer. It was by accident that I stumbled over an article in a dutch magazine for students where the work of Counterpart Travels was presented. Some days after reading the article I wrote a mail and some more days later I bought my ticket. I spent six wonderful weeks there, always felt save and connected. It couldn't have been a greater, more fullfilling time.
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| Africa. |
Uganda has such a rich culture as well as a wonderful landscape. There are several national parks and nature and wild life whereever you look. Jinja with the source of the Nile, lake Bunyoni in the South, Gorillas in the mountains and the Big 5 in the national parks.
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| The Source of the Nile. |
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| Monkey in the tree. |
For the first weeks I worked at Jessy-Johnny-Boarding School which is an elementary school just outside the center of Mukono. I was teaching English there and just blown away by the motivation, curiosity and thrist for knowledge. The kids were awesome, soaking up every information.
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| Jessy-Johnny-Boarding School. |
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| My class. |
I went there in December and holidays started so the school closed down and I started working at an orphanage. It also has a school connected to it and takes special care for children with sight impairments. Together with the rest of the staff we tried to put up some activities for the holidays with almost zero money but those kids are experts and just know how to create something awesome out of nothing.
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| The orphanage "Chain Foundation". |
I know a lot of people who would love to go abroad and work as a volunteer but most organizations ask for a lot of money just for getting you a place to work without being paid. Counterpart Travel are located for several years now in Mukono, a town not far from the capital, Kampala. They are part of the town, employ local people and are by doing that in contact with local schools, hospitals, pharmacies, etc. That's why thay can find you a place to work as a volunteer that suits your profile in exchange for a donation to their foundation to fincance their projects there like mircro financing, building up a yoghurt company etc..
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| The local transport system in Uganda, bus stop in Kampala. |
Upon my arrival I stayed some days in Kampala and got an introduction to the culture and the city and learned everything I needed to know to go on my first boda-boda drive. When I came to Mukono Charles, the coordinator, took me to schools so I could see where I want to spend my time. I stayed at the guest house of Counterpart Travels with other volunteers, which worked or to studied to become nurses, pharmacists, economists or lawyers.
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| The market in Mukono. |
A friend of mine, Sylvie, went to Uganda just some months after my return. She worked as a teacher in the same orphanage I did and really enjoyed it. And now she is back since December 2012, taking over the management of Counterpart Travels with her boyfriend Maurits.
So if you got excited and you think that the Ugandan experience could be something for you, then don't hesitate to contact her and ask about your possibilities!
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