"From my experience, I gained an understanding of my responsibility to serve because I can, because I have been blessed to have the resources to turn away from my and my family's immediate needs and look outward. I never expected to gain such a pressing understanding of my need to serve. I never expected to meet people who were so much "better" than I am, who had so much to teach me of compassion, of self sacrifice and of hope. I feel that I was literally healed by the people of El Salvador as they changed my perspective and expectations." -Natalie Brown, El Salvador 2007 |
"HELP International has the perfect amount of structure to give you lots of support if you need it, and yet enough autonomy to feel empowered in making your own decisions and creating your own experience. I loved HELP International because through them I discovered what I could do as an individual to make a difference in the world, and then they helped me do it. Because of the training and leadership we had, we were prepared to be culturally sensitive and good examples of Americans, and the people of Mukono thought very highly of us. HELP isn't a huge organization and it doesn't have a ton of resources, but I was impressed at how well they organized this experience and it inspired me to return next summer."
-Kindra Clemence, Uganda 2007 |
| Uganda |
This will be HELP International's 5th year in Uganda. This year we have two teams in Uganda: one in Lugazi and one in Mukono. Lugazi is a small town of about 33,000 people. Lugazi is surrounded by sugar cane plantations and many of the inhabitants are poor laborers. Mukono is a larger town with many shops and businesses. Mukono is also the base for several NGOs and orphanages that HELP International partners with. Just outside of these towns are remote villages where we bring many of our projects. Projects in Uganda include: HIV/AIDS support group, business training, adobe stoves, square-foot gardening, public health campaigns, support for children with disability, and more. Country Description: Uganda is in East Africa and is known as the "Pearl of Africa" because of its lush jungle and rolling hills. Though Uganda lays on the mouth of the Nile River and is replete with natural resources, the Ugandan people remain deeply impoverished. The official language is English, however in Lugazi, many people also speak a tribal language called Luganda. Translators are always readily avaible and most volunteeers end up learning a little Luganda.
|