A truly incredible experience in Uganda
Jill Moynan from Nenagh, who is heading into her final year studying for a Bachelor of Education and Psychology at Mary Immaculate College, was one of 30 people from across Ireland recently chosen by the international development organisation Nurture Africa to work in poor communities in Uganda. “The cruelty and corruption of our world,” she writes, “was raw in front of our eyes.”
Volunteering in Nansana, Uganda, over the past three weeks has been such an insightful and incredible experience that I will treasure forever. Embracing the opportunity was undoubtedly something I was thoroughly looking forward to, however, so is sharing it with you, a place like no other.
Dusty, a dead-heat, tuk-tuk vans and crazy boda-boda drivers, markets of exotic fruits stacked high, vibrant wraps and headscarves… no doubt this was Africa.
“Muzungu, muzungu”, children squealed excitedly and enthusiastically, desperately waving at the ‘new kids in town’.
There couldn’t have been a better céad míle fáilte then the friendly and beaming smiling faces of the beautiful Ugandan children. Instantly, I knew that this was going to be three weeks in the most special and unique place on Earth.
Each morning was spent teaching children in Kisimbiri Church of Uganda Primary School, in classes of average 120 pupils per teacher, with the only resources being a stick of chalk and blackboard. An exciting experience for sure!
Much was learned from the creative, passionate teachers who turned to music and dance to motivate and engage their children. Once partnered up we introduced and integrated some new methodologies and taught subjects not timetabled into the school week like physical education, art, Irish music and of course cúpla focal Gaeilge to encourage more variety into the 7am-7pm school-day for the young children.
CRAMPED CONDITIONS
Despite that the children had to share pencils with not enough to go around, were squashed together like sardines on timber benches, in classroom with only metal bars as windows with the sun beating in, they were most enthusiastic and grateful to learn.
Afternoons consisted of a wide range of community based activities, from first-aid, library outreach, farming, home-visits, business-visits and cultural exchange.
While engaging in some of these was emotionally challenging, the hope and positivity of the Ugandan people, who had as little as corrugated tin huts the span of one’s arms as their entire “home”, while suffering from HIV, mainly single mothers abandoned by their partners, caring for about five children, was shocking, bewildering and remarkable.
CRUEL REALITY
The cruelty and corruption of our world was raw in front of our eyes. Many crouched down at our feet and blessed us, showing their immense appreciation for our visit, for coming to Africa and supporting them through the exceptional organisation of Nurture Africa. A bitter-sweet moment that broke my heart and reached my soul.
Uganda, my second home, a place I would recommend visiting at least once in one’s lifetime, a place like no other.
THANK YOU
A huge thank you to everyone that donated to Nurture Africa, including friends, family, Nenagh World Aid, Lions Club, NTW Nenagh and Nenagh Community National School, empowering African families to become more self-reliant and nurturing the mental, physical and emotional growth and well-being of vulnerable children and families in Uganda, as part of global sustainable development goals.