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Ervaringen van anderen
Counterpart Travels heeft, als project van de hulporganisatie SYPO, al meer dan 150 vrijwilligers geholpen de perfecte positie in Oeganda te vinden. Hieronder vind je enkele ervaringen van vrijwilligers die eerder in
Oeganda werkten via Counterpart Travels.
Marlies van Erp
This has been the most impressive experience of my life! Living with
people in a small village in Uganda is so special and it's wonderful
that we can really mean something for the Ugandan people! My speciality
has been tourism and because the local government gave me the freedom
to operate in this field, I made leaflets about the Mukono district in
several languages.
In Uganda you can experience the poverty of the people by living with
local people, realize that taking a shower every day isn't all that
normal. Uganda is such a pure country with the friendliest people in
the world! Living with locals made me also see the daily activities,
cultural days and parties (such as weddings, birthdays) and many many
more...
Marlies van Erp, student of tourism in Utrecht,
the Netherlands
 Koen de Koster
During my stay in Uganda, I was worked to create an evaluation
instrument and evaluate some project proposals . Although this was a
very difficult task, I think I succeeded in doing something relevant
and while doing so, acquired new skills and a very good insight in local
life and local problems. I strongly believe that volunteering with
Counterpart Travels is an excellent way to experience Africa as it
really is for everyone with an interest in developmental work and
Africa. Because the organisation is relatively small, there is a very
good support for the volunteer.
De Koster Koen (Belgium): Master in History (Ugent
’08), Master of Development Evaluation and Management (IOB
’09)
Heleen Oude Lansink
During my stay in Uganda I have taught at a local primary school. As a
teacher for children with special needs and learnings disorders in the
Netherlands, I was very much interested in helping children with the
same problems in Uganda. Together with a Ugandan inspector of special
needs education, I have given workshops to large numbers of primary
school teachers. Driving around the Mukono district, we saw hundreds of
children left out of regular education because of their learning
disorders. With my experience from Holland, I was able to share how
these children can still be included in the normal educational system.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Uganda and the stunning views over lake
Victoria in the village of Kikwayi.
Heleen Oude Lansink, teacher of children with
special needs in the Netherlands
Dijanna
Counterpart Travels arranged my stay with the family Livingstone and the volunteer work I did while in Uganda. Helping Vice Chairperson of the district Livingstone Zziwa to promote the projects of the local government in the Mukono district was a great experience. My next stay was the Besaniya Childrens home. I spend time with the orphans and disabled, playing games, talking and most of all lots of laughing with them. Never a dull moment. The tried to teach me how to dance, play the drum and speak Luganda... in which they failed.
During the day I taught with great pleasure at the Mirembe Primary School nearby.
The children were all so eager to learn about Europe and our cultures, as well as sharing their thoughts about Uganda.
My stay was short however I can recommend it to anyone who is willing to share knowledge and help others is any way they can.
UGANDA thank you for your hospitality.
CHARLES MUSISI thanks for looking after me and making sure my stay was perfect.
DUKO thanks for giving me this opportunity.
Dijanna
 Rachel Muehrer
I was privileged enough to work with Counterpart Travels during the
summer of 2007. I was staying in Kampala, working on my own research
when I met volunteers already working for Counterpart Travels. I
decided to spend some time volunteering and I soon found myself in
Kikwayi, helping to prepare for the opening of the yoghurt factory. The
work itself – cleaning, gathering materials, preparing for
the opening ceremony – was fulfilling, but more important was
the relationships that I made with members of the community and with
other volunteers. I found the experience so valuable that I plan to
return to Kikwayi for more volunteer work and to pursue my own research
interests.
Rachel Muehrer, Ph.D. student in ethnomusicology,
York University, Toronto.
 Ellis Stolwijk
After I finished my study economics, I didn't want to start working immediately. That's why I decided to go to Uganda for three months.
The first weeks, I evaluated the microfinance project of the aid organisation SYPO (of which Counterpart Travels is a part). The evaluation was mainly done by interviewing clients and non-clients of the projects. Because I don't speak Luganda, I recruited help from students of the university in Mukono. Afterwards I evaluated the data and drew up an impact report about the project.
After finishing the evaluation, I moved to the village Kikwayi. In Kikwayi I helped the new manager of the yoghurt factory improve the quality of the yoghurt.
I will not forget the nice weather, the hospitality of the people, the great landscape and the fun together with the other volunteers easily! It was a great time.
Ellis Stolwijk, Economist
 Goan Tan
As a young child I already felt the need to help people who are somehow living in “trouble”. In the summer of 2008 I was very happy to have the opportunity to make this wish come true. I went as a volunteer to Uganda for four weeks.
Before and during my stay Counterpart Travels was very helpful to me, making contacts with the right persons, on the right places in Uganda, so that I could contribute optimally.
With my dental education I thought I could help restoratively on the dental field, reducing the amount of people with toothpain. There are a lot of them! But it was very asthonishing to find out that there is a complete lack of all the necessary tools: equipments, instruments, filling materials, hygiene protocols, facilities and even personnel. This made it impossible for me to treat people with dental problems.
Then I changed my mind. If solving toohtpain is impossible, why not try to prevent it. Again, with the great help of Counterpart Travels, I was able to visit many primary schools, even deep in the bush, often by motorbike, sometimes by foot. I have reached more than 7000 children and I taught them how to brush their teeth properly, so they will not get damaged. Making young children understand the importance of oral hygiene was most rewarding. I hope, humbly, that I have saved several teeth from extraction.
Ugandan people are most friendly, hospitable and thankful. They are very happy with any kind of help, support and knowlegde you can offer and share.
The cooperation with Counterpart Travels will make sure your contribution really makes sense.
Goan Tan, orthodontist in Almelo, the Netherlands
 Matthias van Herck
Honestly, the beginning of my African adventure was somewhat of a shock. One does not travel to the other side of the world every week; though I had planned to enter the - for me - unknown continent with an open mind. This attitude was well chosen, since not all my luggage reached its final destination. I said to myself to not mind too much, and the comforting words of my reception committee - 'that's the African Way'- ensured a certain degree of reassurance. The truth of those words has been confirmed again and again during my stay; I concur them because not long after my arrival the luggage was found.
This small shortcoming aside, my stay in Uganda was an unforgettable experience. First, the country provides a beautiful nature to which our gray, Western society simply fades. It is also home to a friendly folk which is certainly not afraid to smile. In this pleasant setting, Counterpart Travels made an adequate support and guidance. As a lawyer I had the opportunity to participate in the legislative process in Uganda, in my placement at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The fine colleagues and perhaps also the fact that I had a jeep with a driver at my disposal, provided a pleasant working environment. In addition, the organization made sure that I could stay at the Besaniya Guesthouse in Mukono town. The location and my fellow guests at the Guesthouse created a great atmosphere in a breathtaking surroundings. In short, I lost my heart to Uganda.
Matthias van Herck, Master of Law, Belgium
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