VOLUNTEER MEMORIES
Cristen Bauer-USA
April-May 2009
My time here at VOLSET has been a really wonderful experience filled with beautiful people, lots of love, and lots of learning. The people involved with VOLSET are what made my time here so memorable. Festus is a hardworking, passionate, and dedicated man who has overcome so much in his life and I really admire his love for children and commitment to helping his community. Mary and
My time here was spent doing a lot of administrative stuff (mostly re-doing both websites with Vistara). We also made two trips to the islands to do HIV testing and education, which was quite interesting and enlightening. There is a lot that can be done on the islands, so if that interests you then look at more ways to do effective education, testing, and follow-up. I also went to a couple of schools to do health outreach (Helm and Bunyana Primary). If you’re here while school is in session, this is a great thing to do and there are many topics to talk about. Vistara and I also made a volunteer binder full of project ideas and other helpful info. So read that to get ideas and also contribute to them as you like. I would love to see VOLSET become self sustainable over the next few years; either via the chicken coop, agriculture, or other ideas. I think that’s what I would most like to see if/when I come back in a couple of years.
VOLSET is a gr3eat organization with a promising missions and goals. I’ve been so happy to work with them and I wish new volunteers lots of luck, patience, and most of all, the energy and passion to be proactive and use their time here wisely.
ps T.I.A. This Is
Remember this and things will run a lot smoother!
Lots of love to everyone in the Whitehouse, dorm, and working with VOLSET!! J
Email: cristenbauer@gmail.com
Phone: + 1-281-460-1711
Vistara Conway-
April-May 2009
Almost time to leave, although I will be back in June if all goes according to my “plan”. . . –had an amazing time here, working with Cristen (that’s us on the cover being “web designers”) and being inspired by Festus & Gloria & Mary & John & Sam & our Peace Corps man- Zac (Ntambi) and the fabulous Dr. Rick who came over to help facilitate the first ever VOLSET VHT “Village Health Team” training & Lydia!! Of course!
What did we do while I was here? Well, we designed (or at least put together) two websites, one for VOLSET and one for Future Diplomats (with Yola.com-that’s a free website builder on the net, very easy to use).
We painted the school building with letters and people and flowers and numbers with the help of the fabulous girls and boy (Abbu!) of the Whitehouse and even hacked out the new paths to make it posh (some others finished the project- thankfully! Blisters on our Muzungu hands . . . .)
We designed a new poster to invite people to “give us their children” at the school- hope to get the enrollment up . . . (and took lots of photos of them!)
We exercised Gloria’s little, skinny legs and were teaching her sounds and worrying a bit about her development when we weren’t enjoying her ( . . .!)
We made this little binder so that we might create some continuity with new volunteers as they arrive (& keep track of all of Festus’ great ideas!!)
We visited
John and I did some HIV outreach in the local villages which I found very touching and enjoyable (the Questionnaire is at the back)
. . .and, of course, we helped to set up and run the VHT (Village Health Team) program here at the Whitehouse; really hoping that this initiative will continue and that we can support all of these beautiful people who have come to train and to volunteer.
All of the best to Festus and VOLSET and all of the people involved here and overseas and – to the volunteers!
Thank you!
Vistara
E-mail: vistara@gmail.com
Rick Hayes-
May 16, 2009
Well my 3 weeks here has come to an end. It will be memorable to me because of the fond memories I will have for the wonderful people I have had the pleasure of living with here. Festus, Mary, and
The VOLSET home has been comfortable and educational. Life without running water, refrigeration, and often electricity has taught me how easy I have it in my home and given me respect for the strength and ingenuity of the Ugandans, displayed as they go about their tasks.
But I think my main memory will be of the students we taught in our week long seminar. The faces when they received their certificates were filled with pride and happiness and I am glad I played some role in making that happen.
Finally, the lovely girls- Rose, Winnie, Joyce, Jane, and Martha are going to grow into strong womanhood in part because of the love and examples they received here.
Thanks so much,
Rick Hayes (Dr.)
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Kendyl Atkinson-
May 15-June 15, 2009
Ah! I can’t believe my month is OVER! Time went SO fast. Thank you Festus & Mary &
My month was spent hanging around the health center (meet up with Ester if you volunteer there, she’s an amazing midwife), attempting to teach at Future Diplomats, and doing village questionnaires. I started teaching the kids at Future Diplomats the song ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’, so keep working on that, they love it! Also, talk to the VHT team & make sure they’re checking up on their people.
Most importantly! Went to the
Always,
Kendyl Atkinson “Candle”
Email: atkins412@gmail.com
Don’t forget Damba puppy pictures!!J
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Spenser White-
May-July 2009
Thanks for the great time!!
Spenser White
13/July/2009
Email: aswhit5@uky.edu
Phone: 00018594948888
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Liz Ratonia-
My time in
My work at Future Diplomats was challenging, but very rewarding. I can only hope that future volunteers will stimulate creativity and a sense of pride in the minds of the small children. I will greatly miss their enthusiastic greetings as I climbed the hill to the school. I may even miss the dusty walk to the office everyday, and the cries of “Muzungu!” every few minutes.
I will miss the girls: Rebekah,
I hope that little Mickey stops smelling and eventually the girls will play with her.
For future volunteers: There will definitely be days that you feel like you aren’t doing anything to make a difference- that the situation is bigger than yourself. Know that the relationships you form will leave the strongest impression. Enjoy your time- it goes by too fast.
XXX
Liz
16/July/09
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