Been There, Done That...
Ellie Messham: volunteered with Students Partnership Worldwide in Uganda, 2003
"I wanted to work with an organisation that didn't just teach English or build wells. I wanted to work with people and really get to know a country and its culture. I was looking for an organisation that was really going to make a difference, work with local people and that what I did would be sustained after I left the project. I chose to volunteer with SPW.
After a month of training in Uganda, I spent eight months living in a rural village, Bulopa, raising awareness of HIV/AIDS amongst young people. Julius, my Ugandan counterpart, and I worked mainly in the primary school, another pair, Fay and Tonnie worked in the local secondary school.
The highlight of my placement was organising a Health Festival. It involved dramas, dances and songs all based on HIV prevention or living positively with AIDS performed by our students, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the much loved Ugandan tradition of speeches. The best part was that the AIDS Information Centre (AIC) came to our village and offered free HIV tests. I remember vividly how excited the deputy head of my school was when he found out he was HIV negative.
My time in Uganda has stayed with me in the UK. It has given me a new, more global perspective on life. Volunteering allowed me to test myself, to see what I could do. I would recommend volunteering overseas to everyone; you will get more out of it than you put in without question!"
Further Information
SPW is a non-profit organisation working in Africa and Asia. We are looking for volunteers (aged 18-28) to work at grassroots level. Living and working in partnership with young African and Asian volunteers, you will share knowledge, experience & ideas to support rural communities in their response to health and environmental issues affecting their lives. It isn't about teaching overseas in your GAP year. It IS about making a difference; empowering youth in developing countries to take control of their own lives and destiny.
Students Partnership Worldwide
17 Dean's Yard
London SW1P 3PB
0207 222 0138
spwuk@gn.apc.org
www.spw.org
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