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Name: Sarah Bourne
Programme: Uganda Reach Out to Children
Dates: 4th June - 30th July 2007
Dear Real Gap
I am writing to you to provide feedback of my experiences in Uganda. I hope other volunteers will find it useful. Apologies for not writing sooner!
The last two months have been amazing. Seriously, I have so many little wonderful memories that have culminated in a superb experience. The whole way to Uganda I was in a rather dream-like state. I eventually arrived off the plane to and was warmly greeted by Suuna, our co-ordinator.
The whole way to Kampala I stared at this new world I had entered. For someone who has never left Europe it was all terribly exciting seeing Lake Victoria, the rows of banana plantations and maize, the make-shift towns with the people milling about, the slums, the animals tied on strings and the general beauty of "the Pearl of Africa". After taking care of business in Kampala, which I found chaotic but an experience in itself, we were on to Kyotera. |
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I was pretty much the only white in the whole town: A town with a very different vibe from home but I was looked after so well by my house-keeper/friend/African sister Annette that I actually found I was ok.
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My accommodation was comfortable despite the cold showers and regular black outs, but it is all part of the experience really. I also found I was bitten all the time by mosquitos!!!
The food in Uganda is expectantly pretty different from home. If one does not like bananas, it may be tricky but there are alternatives such as yam, sweet potato, meat (nice but a little scrawny perhaps!) fish etc. It was great to try all the exotic fruits you just would not get at home. The pineapple is brilliant! I felt healthy eating the food as it has no additives or chemical things but word of advice, you will miss foods from home and realise how much choice we actually have so bring some of your fave snacks! Also you will find your appetite will increase, when I was first there I couldn't (try as I might) finish my food but by the end I was after seconds!
When Emily (another volunteer) arrived, It was fascinating to spend time with someone who I probably would not have been in the same social circles had we been at home but we became really close. The evenings can be quite quiet but its fun to provide your entertainment, but also take books and especially magazines because others already out there are always keen to read them. |
I had so many laughs and little tales that happened it would be impossible to write them all, especially when the other volunteers arrived.
The teaching part of the project is initially daunting: I found myself with a piece of chalk in my hand and a textbook in the other with no real syllabus and at times the lack of resources due to circumstances can get frustrating. However, the children were amazing and some were a real joy to teach and even feeling you are doing a little bit is good when you get into the swing of it.
On the other side, the visits to the poor families was also an amazing experience. At times it is hard to sit there and comprehend the extremity of some peoples lives and I often found that my moods went from upbeat to hopeful to despondent and back again. It is important to keep in mind that you can only do what you can despite the fact that you want to save everyone.
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The weekends we did manage to visit places. As long as you make sure you have a clear plan because safety is obviously the leaders' priority. Uganda has a lot to see and it was fantastic to achieve what I wanted to such, as visiting the source of the Nile, Lake Mburo etc…Amazing.
I would like to thank Real Gap for their invaluable support in all aspects of my trip. Everyone was easy to deal with and responded swiftly.
I hope to correspond with you in the future, probably to plan future adventures!
Thank you!
Sarah Bourne 19
Edinburgh, Scotland
 Further information on the Uganda Reach Out to Children
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