This was my fifth trip to Africa, my third time volunteering, and my second time in the same place. But even returning to the same place brings certain anxieties, which I also had. Completely unnecessarily…
Uganda, Masindi – familiar paths, neighbors, market vendors, but above all, the children I flew thousands of kilometers to see, whom I hadn’t seen for 2.5 years. They had all grown, matured, and changed, not just physically; they had gained confidence, become more open and assertive. Judith, whom I last saw as a child under a year old, was doing wonderfully in her role as an older sister. David, Denis, and William, whom I didn’t meet during my first stay, made a very good impression on me, especially William with his dedication and commitment to caring for the younger children. Always cheerful: Fortunka, Martha, and Sabrina often brought a smile to my face. Penina and Joan were an inseparable duo in coming up with ideas to brighten their day. However, I was most surprised by Gladys’s attitude, who doesn’t see any limitations in her disability, but always possibilities. She didn’t hold back from any household chores: she hung and collected laundry on crutches, helped in the kitchen, washed, ironed, and cleaned. I saw in her a strong young woman, and I know she will definitely cope with all the obstacles she encounters in life! Nangoma was incredibly changed – calmer, quieter, responding with laughter and increasingly making her presence known among the children.
There is nothing more beautiful for me than to see how they change, growing up in a loving home. Moments with them are the best antidote to sadness, and watching them grow gives meaning to life.
What did another volunteer trip give me? For me, it was important just to be among them, to organize activities for them, sometimes just to observe them and soak up the time spent with them. Every day started like that was a great happiness for me. Only after some time did I notice that my presence was no less important to them and that my actions were helpful. But it’s not a tangible thing. Unforgettable for me was the trip we organized to Entebbe and the youngest children who tirelessly coped with the inconveniences of the journey – for me, they are like little heroes; they never complain, but they always smile. That completely won my heart.
Masindi – Babies Home will forever remain in my heart and mind as my second home.
Volunteering gives me a lot in terms of personal development, it allows for the exchange of experiences from different spheres. At the moment, I feel a huge responsibility for the reality in which the children function. So the best thing I can do for them is to turn this into good action. Raising people’s awareness, sensitizing them to the problems of the world. By not doing this, we waste enormous potential. I believe that we create the reality in which we live and are responsible for it. I am grateful for what I have, how I can live, and I want to share good energy with others.
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