When I first
arrived in Uganda 6 months ago I must admit I was terrified. In the few months
leading up to my departure I greatly underestimated the monumental nature of
the journey I was to undertake; but to my surprise I also vastly underestimated
the warmth of welcome we would receive and the ease of settling into life
working for HYT.
Pippa and Josh with the 1v4 team
I immediately
felt at home as part of the team at HYT. Philip, Fred and John were incredibly
accepting and friendly, involving us in all sorts of tasks and jobs. I was
nervous to spend my first week in the village but after just a few hours there
realised that I had no need to be. Mr Fred, our head trainer at our one village at a time projects, has such a warm, caring personality which is reflected in his trainees
and helps create such a brilliant working environment; we felt like we were
part of a family up in the village. This feeling stayed with me throughout my 6
month stay and was very difficult to leave behind.
Mr Fred teaches a Theory lesson to the Trainees
During my 6
months in Uganda I had privilege of being involved in many different projects,
both with HYT and with other projects. I was lucky enough to visit a few of
HYT's previous one village at a time projects, most notably 1V1 and 1V2, Kasokaso and Kisigo, and the improvement in
the structures and support we provide now is astounding. What was most
incredible was the pride and appreciation of our work by both the pupils and
the local community, and how HYT's work has inspired communities to strive for
the best facilities and best education for their children. Having been lucky
enough to see some of the potential 1V5 projects I know that HYT is only going
to continue growing and improving and therefore helping even more pupils and
trainees over the coming years.
Pippa and Josh painting the new washroom at Makoka (1v4)
Aside from my
work with HYT I met such a variety of wonderful people in Uganda. I was
involved with many different projects outside my work with HYT - street child
projects, orphanages, nursery schools and towards the end teaching in a primary
school. All of these were incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable. Aid in Uganda
comes in many forms, and with all of the projects i was fortunate enough to
work with it became apparent that HYT is highly efficient in distributing
support both in the value of the projects to the community and the efficiency
in the way in which this is delivered. The friendships and connections formed
with some of the Ugandans I was lucky enough to meet and help are ones which
will never be forgotten. Uganda was virtually unknown to me before my trip and
I could not have imagined the scale of international aid and charity that is
helping people across Uganda.
HYT Team up in Kamuli District
My time with
HYT is one which I will treasure forever and has been utterly invaluable to me.
I have never known 6 months to fly by so quickly, and although I am gutted that
it has come to an end I have learnt so much from my experience and have taken
so much from it. I would like to thank HYT for giving me such an incredible
opportunity and especially the team in Uganda for making it the time of my
life. I would also like to thank all the supporters of HYT for enabling them to
continue doing such incredible work.