Over the past few years several volunteers have helped out the organization United African Orphans and Widows Foundation. Their reasons to come and their experiences in the country of Uganda were broad and varied.
One of the volunteers, Katy O’Grady, stayed for two years. She was connected to the organization through the Peace Corps. This is an American organization which sends volunteers overseas in order to help individuals in developing nations using the local resources, as well as to engage in cultural exchange. Because she stayed for a longer period she was able to start new projects as well as to help in already existing ones. She is very proud of the things she has been part, but “the most rewarding part of my work at UAOWF was working with Nsubuga Peter (red. coordinator), as well as Simon, Julius and Anthony (red. volunteers and employees), in the office to figure out how we could best serve the surrounding communities.” Another volunteer, Christy Pouty, also remembers the nice interaction between the people involved in the organization, when they were busy starting up the goat rearing project: “Peter and the rest of the staff at UAOWF did a great job preparing, mobilizing the community, making partnerships with the district vet extension officer, and really lead a great program.”
Next to the good memories, the volunteers also came across some challenges. For example Katy O’Grady, who encountered some difficulties in her work: “The biggest challenge I faced was a lack of resources, especially transportation, which made reach out to communities difficult.” UAOWF has two bicycles which they use for the villages a bit further. Most of the work is done by foot. Another volunteer, Priscilla Loh, who stayed for two months, mostly experienced cultural differences. She was not used to the slow-pace in which the work is done, since she came from a city. After the first two weeks she got a bit used to it and was not affected by it that much.
All these volunteers have experienced the organization in a different way, if you are wondering how you will experience it, don’t hesitate to take a closer look at the webpage (uaowfuganda.webnote.com) or send a message to uaowfuganda@gmail.com.
