Jos de Best - Student Business Administration
I entered the International Fair on the Erasmus University with the thought that I wanted to go abroad for a month, no clue where to, and what to do. When I saw the stand of Counterpart Travels and talked to the people of Counterpart Travels I was immediately sold: this was exactly what I was looking for. And it turned out to be even better than expected. I travelled around the country with my counterpart, David; made babies cry because they had never seen a white man before; lived with my new family and served Dutch ‘oliebollen’ at New Year’s Eve; made long trips on the boda in a vast savanna landscape; searched for crocodiles on lake Victoria with my brother, sister and some local fishermen; and many more: I made a connection with Uganda for a lifetime.
The people from Uganda are very warm and friendly. I felt very welcome at any place I stayed, whether it was at my host family, at friends&family of my counterpart or the guesthouse. The country is unstructured, but relaxed and laidback.
The Counterpart Travels coordinators came up with the idea to find Ugandan products to sell on the Dutch market, since I am a Business student. When I arrived in Uganda and travelled around, I fell in love with a kind of chair I saw at various places. David and I searched for, and eventually met a man that makes the typical Ugandan chairs. We made a plan to sell the chairs in Holland through a webshop, and we are currently working on the logistics of the project. In this way I stay connected with the beautiful country of Uganda.
Matthias van Herck - Lawyer
Volunteer work: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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.
Marlies van Erp - Student of Tourism
Volunteer work: Promote Tourism at local Government department
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…
Heleen Oude Lansink - Teacher
Volunteer work: Develop workshops for teachers in special education
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.
Ellis Stolwijk - Economist
Volunteer work: Microfinance and a small yoghurt factory
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.
Koen de Koster - Historian
During my stay in Uganda, I 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.
Goan Tan - Orthodontist
Volunteer work: Teaching kids dental hygiene
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.
Rachel Muehrer - Ethnomusicologist
Volunteer work: Research in musicology
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.
Dijanna - Teacher
Volunteer work: Primary school teacher
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 also 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.