Remember Linnea? She is currently working in an orphanage school in Uganda and sent us greetings from her adventure! Read her previous post about the application process to her project here.
"Time to experience new experiences
I have been here in Uganda for 3 weeks now. Banange (this is how they say often, sounds like banaage,
which reminds me of banaani = banana). Few months ago I was just
dreaming about being in Uganda – now the dream has become true! Every
now and then, when I’m walking around the town, I stop walking, look
around and realize: here am I! In Africa, something I've been dreaming about for years. If you really want something, you can have it.
My
flights to Uganda lasted long, almost 19 hours of travelling and living the
airport life. The last flight was a bit delayed so the AIESECers who
had come to receive me had to wait for an hour. But yes, FINALLY in
UGANDA! I met some funny AIESECers, including my lovely buddy Jackie,
from Makerere University during my first and second days.
On
Monday I got my way to Nansana. Here, at the Orpahange School, I am
going to stay. When I came, I met two really happy girls, Susan and
Christin, who have been a big support for me during the first weeks. I
started teaching a small group of five pupils, because the others were
on holiday. Those hardworking kids were taking care of cleaning and
animals during their holiday. Wow!
About the school buildings,
they’re just amazing! It's probably not the fanciest school, but when I
got to know that the facilities are built by those awesome kids and teenagers.. I
can’t help admiring and doffing my hat for them. The have two schools,
primary and secondary. From here it takes about 45 minutes to drive to
Namayumba, where the secondary school is located. The founder of this
orpahage, Uncle Segawa, is just an awesome man! He funded this in 1999
and now they have 226 students in their school. I appreciate the
work they all have been doing a lot.
During the first two weeks I was taking part in another project called TEENS Uganda. To be honest, and with all due admiration of the Ugandan people, the organization is really
“weeowee”! When they are planning their events and projects they do it with
their hearts.. For example, one project is named “Abortion stigma” and
it deals with family planning and women’s rights. In Finland you can hear
and read about those huge problems in some countries (especially in
Africa), and you can just hope there are some people giving a helping hand. Now I could really see with my own eyes that they’re doing
good work. This world needs more of those who are volunteering for
other people’s wellness. The people there are not only old, professional
workers, but also and even rather young, clever people, who believe in making the world better.
Now I’ve felt that being in two projects
is too much for me, so I decided to stay at the school and quit the TEENS
Uganda -project, but combining both I’m planning an event for the school. Let’s
see whether we are going to make it or not.
I have not only
something to say about organizations here in Uganda, but
especially about the people here. They are very kind and caring. I felt
sincerely welcome when I came here, and any time you see people,
they ask how are you doing. The kids are normal, happy,
natural and lovely. When walking in Ugandan streets, they tend to
call out: “Hey muzungu [white person], how are you!” Once one small boy almost cried for
being happy to see me and ran to grab my hand. Probably he took me to some other white person who had been in that area earlier, but it was a funny event though.
These two weeks have been full of new
experiences: traffic, food, being almost the only “muzungu” (actually there was one German intern at the same time as I was, but he
had to leave earlier, and I've happened to see two other whites as
well), music and dancing everywhere, and the warmth. The warmth is
not only of the sun but also of the people. Washing clothes with my own
hands, carrying water from a well, showering in cold water (thanks to swimming in a hole in ice during winters I’m still alive). I've experienced and learned a lot about myself. I've found myself in both familiar and completely new
situations and gotten to know myself better already during these first
weeks. Now when I don’t feel homesick anymore I like to be here,
I really do! I probably wouldn't like to live here for the rest of my life,
but I’m so glad I have had the opportunity to try this kind of
lifestyle. I recommend these experiences for everyone.
Last week we had an AIESEC meeting in Kampala, and after that a housewarming party for new AIESEC house. So, greetings for
AIESEC Jyväskylä from AIESEC Makerere University!!
-Love, Linni"
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