Uganda Volunteer Journals

The Global Volunteer Network currently has opportunities aimed at providing primary and secondary education to needy children, and community outreach and counseling with our partner organization in Uganda. Our partner has projects based in Mukono Town and within nearby villages. These projects provide an opportunity to experience Ugandan life first-hand while working to improve your host community.

For more information, please visit the Uganda program page on the Global Volunteer Network website.

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OK. . . .so I’ve been slacking on my posts!

June 19th, 2010 by David Luke

I realize I haven’t posted since May 28th.  It became almost impossible to post on a regular basis while in Uganda.  The emotions and lack of electricity at odd times contributed to my not being able to post.  It was tough to sit and type how I really felt and still feel.  However, I did have enough sense to keep notes on a daily basis and will try to continue to post as my memories serve me.  I know that eventually that I have no choice to write a bookabout my crazy existence before my trip, how I managed to [...]

Posted in Uganda

“Only $1 a day. . . . !”

May 28th, 2010 by David Luke

How many times have you heard the television ads that claim that only $1 a day can change the life of a child in Africa?  I know that I’ve heard that commercial SO many times and immediately changed the channel.  I always thought to myself, “Yeah, right!  It’s just a scam!”  . . . and I’m sure that sometimes it is.  However, yesterday when I went to Hopeland Middle School in the village of  Bugiri, I saw just exactly what a dollar can do.  It is a school which is operated by YOFAFO.  We arrived and I was sitting outside [...]

Posted in Uganda

Wow! Almost a week has gone by . . .

May 26th, 2010 by David Luke

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost a week since I’ve posted to this journal!  I have been very busy.  Last Saturday was spent relaxing and then traveling to Kampala with Valance and the volunteer group from North Carolina to go to church Saturday night.  We attended a service at Wotoso, formerly Kampala Pentecostal Church.  I stayed overnight with my friend James Galloway and his son Christian and attended church service Sunday morning in the village of Kyampisi.  He preached a very inspiring sermon and also told them about GOD’s awesome way of bringing me specifically to Uganda through [...]

Posted in Uganda

A new home for Loziyo!

May 21st, 2010 by David Luke

The past couple of days have been spent building a new home for an elderly gentleman in Kitoola, Valance’s home village.  This incredible man was abandoned by his family some years back and was adopted by the locals.  His home was thrown up hastily by his relatives before they left him.  The simple 2 room structure is comprised of a thatched roof and mudded walls.  We have jumped in with the local community and began building his new home.  Soft wood is cut by machetes into poles and used for basic support.  Bamboo-like sticks comprise the “cross beams” for the [...]

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Everyday life in Uganda

May 19th, 2010 by David Luke

It’s 7:30 a.m. Thursday in Lugazi.  It’s amazing to hear the beginning of a new day coming to life here.  As I watch and listen to the people starting a new day, what strikes me the most is the difference in how the children here wake up and immediately go to work.  They obviously realize that if they want to eat that day they must do their share of the workload.  I see their toys. . . a blown up plastic bag used as a ball, an old bicycle tire rolled along with the use of a stick, a discarded [...]

Posted in Uganda

YOFAFO! (Google it!)

May 17th, 2010 by David Luke

Hi All! It’s almost 5 p.m. here in Lugazi.  I’m working with YOFAFO.  I’m staying at the home of the founder with
him and his wonderful family.  Today was the first day of  “work”.  Basically, I was given a tour of the projects that this awesome man oversees.  He is very much dedicated to his cause.  I met some of the local children today in Lugazi town and some of the teachers that teach the children at “Hope for Africa, The Children’s Village.”  They were preparing their lesson plans for the beginning of school next Monday.  It is a common belief [...]

Posted in Uganda

I’m in AFRICA!

May 14th, 2010 by David Luke

It’s 9:00 a.m. in Entebee on Friday.  The trip was long and exhausting, but yet exciting.  Foreign travel has definately changed since 2002.  I slept well last night and was very welcomed.  I woke up this morning with the exotic sounds of the wildlife here.  I’m at Entebee Backpackers until I leave later today for Mukono.  I’ve already got pictures of monkeys and some pretty wild looking birds.  I will try to download them later.  Just a quick post to let you guys know I’m here safely and I love you all!

Posted in Uganda

Finally. . . I’m at the airport!

May 12th, 2010 by David Luke

It’s  6:45 a.m.  I finally got to the airport!  My first leg of the flight is delayed until 7:20.  Getting through security was easy enough.  No problems whatsoever with any of my bags.  I am SO ready to get this trip started!  Honestly, I haven’t rested too much in the last few days.  I’ve just been too wound up and excited!  The time has come to ”git ‘er done!”  I owe so many people so many thanks for helping make this dream/mission become a reality!  I assure you GOD will bless you for your time and efforts!  I love you guys!  I will post again ASAP when [...]

Posted in Uganda

IT’S CRUNCH TIME!!!

May 9th, 2010 by David Luke

A little over 72 hours and I’ll be on my way to the airport!  I’m trying to remain calm and focused as I continue readying myself for the trip of a lifetime! Shopping for necessary items has not even started yet . . . . which means that not 1 bag has been packed yet . . . . which means that DAVID is trying not to STRESS-OUT!  LOL!  Actually, things are coming together at a steady pace!  Tonight was such a blessing.  My best friend Eddie saved me again as usual!  She was here along with another very close friend, Justus, helping me “buckle-down” [...]

Posted in Uganda

10 Days Left . . . and counting!!!

May 2nd, 2010 by David Luke

I realize it’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted but I’ve been extremely busy with work and trying to prepare for this awesome journey.  I’ve almost completed everything necessary to be ready for travel.  Pretty much all is done except for shopping for the necessary items needed to survive there . . . clothing, insect repellent, first aid supplies, and anti-malarial meds are just a few of the items left to purchase or obtain before I leave.  My VISA should arrive within the next couple of days.  Church today was such a blessing.  I got a chance to practice [...]

Posted in Uganda

FINALLY! . . . I got my vaccinations!

April 17th, 2010 by David Luke

Wow!  What a week it’s been!  I am so looking forward to getting out of this “rat-race” that we call life here in the U.S.   I do appreciate my job and all that I’m blessed with, but sometimes I wonder what, if anything, I’m doing for the good of the world.   Sometimes I feel like a hamster in a cage on his “wheel.”  I’m in constant motion, but yet getting nowhere.  I got my vaccinations yesterday. . . diphtheria/typhoid, yellow fever, meningitis, and tetanus/whooping cough.  I have never wanted  a shot before, but yesterday was ready and willing.  They totalled a little over $300.  I [...]

Posted in Uganda

Oh BOY! 39 days until my departure!!!

April 4th, 2010 by David Luke

I’ve dreamed about it, I’ve prayed about it, I’ve talked ALOT about it!  . . . . IT is about to happen!  I purchased my airline tickets last week!  I will be flying out of Jackson on May 13 @ 6:10 a.m. and returning on June 16 @ 8:25 p.m. Hopefully, some of you will be at the airport to see me off and/or welcome me home!  It would mean SO much to me!  Nervousness, second thoughts, and insecurity are trying to creep in as the days until I leave are quickly dwindling away.  I refuse to lose my faith and let the negative energies [...]

Posted in Uganda

Airfare. . . .next step!

March 20th, 2010 by David Luke

It’s been a tough week at work.  As my travel time gets closer and closer, the airfares seem to go higher and higher.  I almost have enough for my tickets.  I plan on starting my vaccinations this week. . . . still have to register with the U.S. Embassy . . . apply for a VISA into Uganda. . . . try to learn at least  some of the basic words of their language. . . . OH BOY!  Lots left to do!

Posted in Uganda

Church, Parachutes and Nigerian Movies

March 14th, 2010 by Anne Tadgell

Hey guys!
Thanks to everyone for sending support my way! I’m 4 weeks in and feeling really comfortable now. I’m riding the boda taxis (motorcycles driven by men with no licenses or clue about rules of the road) side saddle (how the women ride because they always wear skirts). I was not loving the idea of boda when I first got here so I count this as a huge accomplishment.
The past two weeks have been a huge lesson for me. Just really settling in, accepting that things are done differently here and trying a lot of new things. The work load [...]

Posted in Uganda

Ohhh boy. . . I’m on my way to AFRICA!

March 13th, 2010 by David Luke

Finally getting this journal started!  Two months from now I will be flying out to Uganda!  Excited, somewhat nervous, and overall blessed, I’m finally on my way to fulfilling a dream/vision that I’ve had for so long.  To experience the manifestation of a consistent prayer started so long ago is such an indescribable blessing that leaves me stunned and speechless.  Keep me in your prayers!

Posted in Uganda

Jinja bound!

March 4th, 2010 by Anne Tadgell

Hey everyone!
I’ve arrived in Jinja for the weekend, the touristy area in Uganda. Lynn and I are staying in a backpackers hostel for two nights, the views are amazing overlooking the Nile and Bujagali Falls. The trip here was a little risky, however, as we had to take bodas (motorcycle taxis) for 15 minutes on sketchy dirt roads without helmets. You hang on the backseat  you aren’t supposed to hold the driver. But anything for a $7 a night room. We’re here until Saturday evening. Today we’ll visit the town, shop in the market and get some mzungu food (pizza!) [...]

Posted in Uganda

Craving veggies and dip

February 28th, 2010 by Anne Tadgell

Oli Otya everyone!
This week has been nose to the grindstone for my placement work. Teaching is getting much easier and building is like a little adventure everyday, but still hard work.
Monday was sad. Katie left with Leslie to  fly home. The family was devastated and I was super bummed because it was nice to have a fellow mzungu around the village. She left around lunch without getting to say bye to the kids – it was raining to hard to go to school. When it pours, the noise from the rain on the tin roofs at school makes it impossible [...]

Posted in Uganda

First week

February 19th, 2010 by Anne Tadgell

Oli otya everyone!
This week has been a crazy whirlwind of culture shock, carbs and ridiculously energetic children! But first I would like to stress that I cannot get to the internet  during the week, so updates are going to be few and far between. Sorry.
On monday I was picked up by Paul whose family I will be living with for the trip.  He’s a pastor at a new-born pentecostal church in Buikwe village, my new home. His wife, Rosemary, is hilarious and so kindhearted. They have a 2 month baby girl, Patience, and Paul’s 3 nieces live at the compound [...]

Posted in Uganda

Entebbe and Mukono

February 14th, 2010 by Anne Tadgell

Hi Everyone!
I apologize for the delay in writing. It’s taken a while to settle into the guest house here in Mukono. I’m heading out to my village placement today, so I thought I better take advantage of the internet in the city before I get too rural.
So far, I’m adjusting better than I expected. I’m at a closed compound in Mukono, kind of the headquarters for all volunteers in Uganda working with my organization, The Real Uganda.  So everyone lives at their village placements during the week, but can stay at this house in the city on weekends to recharge [...]

Posted in Uganda

T-minus 3 days

February 8th, 2010 by Anne Tadgell

Hey folks!
I’m leaving in 3 days! I’m just making sure everything is in check right now with packing, lesson plans and, of course,  the online journal. So really this is just a test. Ignore this.

Posted in Uganda

Half Way Done

July 24th, 2009 by Jessica Praznik

I can’t believe that my time is almost half way done. I’ve been having a blast. last weekend us volunteers went to Kampala. It was great yet i was very happy to come back home to Lugazi. This week I was a little sick but I’m feeling great now. Yesterday me and Jade (a I volunteer with) took two of our students to the hospital, both of them are alright they just needed some medication which they got. I was very surprise on how little the hospital visit cost which is quite sad to think about when you realize lots [...]

Posted in Uganda

First Day of School

July 12th, 2009 by Jessica Praznik

Today was the first day that I got to teach, I choose to teach p5 and p6 those are the older kids. Idid this so I could teach more advanced things like first aid. Today we had a fun day or getting to know each other each student was to write there name what they like and what they want to be. at the end they were to write I AM BEAUTIFUL and then read it to the class the children really liked this and laughed alot. then with one class i taugh them the macarana and they other we [...]

Posted in Uganda

The First Week

July 5th, 2009 by Jessica Praznik

Sorry it took me so long to write, I have been busy settling in. I spend my first day at the Mukono Guest house with the other volunteers and asking so many questions. Leslie my real uganda corrdinator is awesome and she helped me get thigns set up. the next day Valence came and picked me and Jade(the other volunteer i’m with) up and we came to where I’ll be living for the next two months. I love it here in Luganzi Valence and Doreen (his wife) are amazing I like themso much they are so nice. As well their [...]

Posted in Uganda

Three Days Before I Leave

June 27th, 2009 by Jessica Praznik

This is my first entry, I’m not quite sure how to start this so I’ll just giver.
It has been kind of stressful preparing for this trip just because of everything else that has gone on like finishing up my school work, my high school graduation, and preparing for University.  I’m finally done getting everything ready and now all I need to look over what i’ve packed. Tha GVN and The Real Uganda have been such a help to me, I probably would have gone insane if it wasn’t for their help. I’m trying to spend as much time as I can with my friends and [...]

Posted in Uganda

Ethiopia in October

June 21st, 2009 by Sami Buisson-Daniel

While I have approximately three months before departure for Ethiopia I have a lot more planning to do.  There’s the money for my room and board to be paid, air flights to be purchased, a trip to see if all my shots are up-to-date to be made, insurance to be purchased and paperwork to go to GVN to assure my trip is in order (ah, I forgot the police report.)  So, as you see, it takes some effort to put all these things in order.  No worry, I will and in the time allotted for them.
I’ve already purchased cards, some [...]

Posted in Uganda

Final Days…

June 11th, 2009 by Cristina

So school this past week has been absolutely awesome!  I played tic-tac-toe with my P1 class!  I divided the class into 2 groups (X and O) and I had a list of questions.  If they got the question right, they could put their mark on the # that I put on the blackboard.  The first 2 games they weren’t quite sure about what was going on or how to play it.  By the 3rd game, they got into it, and started blocking the other team and by the 4th and 5th game they were yelling and cheering and trash talking [...]

Posted in Uganda

Kikati! Hello!

June 2nd, 2009 by Cristina

Oli otya??  How are you??  I am fine! 
(”Kikati” is pronounced chee-ka-tee and its an informal greeting and means hello.)
Things are great here in Uganda!  I am into my second week teaching and have revised some of my lesson planning but I pretty much planned the rest of my time here.  I actually am teaching for only 3 days this week and 3 days next week.  We generally don’t teach on Fridays because we go into Mukono for our Lugandan lessons.  And there is a national holiday this week and next week.  This week we have Martyr’s Day tomorrow.  There [...]

Posted in Uganda

Hey there!

May 26th, 2009 by Cristina

So the school session started yesterday and my fellow volunteer, Kira, and I went up to the school.  We spent the day observing, seeing what the children knew and what we could teach them.  I decided to take the kindergarten class and the P1 class.  The kindergarten class is split into 3 age groups.  Age 3, 4, and 5.  I was very surprised to learn that they start kindergarten at age 3!  The teacher for the kindergarten class I was working with (ages 4 and 5) is Sarah and she is a phenomenal teacher!  She gets the kids energized, she [...]

Posted in Uganda

1/2 marathons and rafting and crater lakes oh my!

May 23rd, 2009 by Karen Graaff

So it has been an even more crazy time than usual recently, thanks to the arrival of my intrepid parentals, and some serious holidaying. So, as always, the shortened version for those of you short on time or attention span…
I ran (though didn’t exactly conquer) a half marathon (more trail run than anything else!!) on 3 hrs sleep and 2 cereal bars for sustenance; met up with the parentals; went white-water rafting on the Nile; braved the Ugandan roads and Kampala traffic in our own rental car on the drive to Fort Portal (and learnt how to drive an automatic [...]

Posted in Uganda

Hello from Uganda!!

May 20th, 2009 by Cristina

Well here I am in beautiful Uganda!  I still have trouble believing I am here sometimes…  It’s been almost a week now, and so far so good!  I am not crying for my mom, I am not screaming at every bug I see, and I am eating food that I would normally refuse back home!  I am all together very proud of myself.   
I am working with an organization called Youth Focus Africa Foundation (YOFAFO).  So far I have visited 2 villages.  One of them is (believe it or not) called the Cockroach Village!  The Lugandan name of the [...]

Posted in Uganda

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A Global Volunteer Network Initiative: http://www.volunteer.org.nz