Why Kampala? My VSO volunteer journey continues to the Pearl of Africa
Well I couldn’t say exactly when I started on this journey …. several lifetimes ago it seems … but I applied to VSO Voluntary Services Overseas a year ago, had my assessment day 3 months later and was offered my third placement offer this November 2008.
It came down to a choice between working with farmers in Ghana (my agricultural experience extends to weeding a few flowerbeds so I could have been ever so slightly out of my depth here) … campaigning to prevent HIV/AIDS in Cameroon (working in French for an organisation with a strong Catholic guiding philosophy, ooo la la, that was a close shave) … or working in Uganda with bloody great elephants and hippotumusssssesss [must learn how to spell that one in the next two years], while living in a four bed apartment in Kampala, complete with a house girl!
My neighbour and great friend Michele and I looked after the flowerbeds on our estate in London. One year we even won an award in the ‘Hackney in Bloom’ gardening competition. I didn’t feel that qualified me to be an agricultural advisor though!
A tough decision indeed, so in February 2009 I’ll be joining British charity UCF – Uganda Conservation Foundation – as their new Marketing Development Manager – Christ, now what do I do?!
can you read this ok everyone? not sure if font is too small …
HI I AND YOUR MOTHER ARE GOING IN YOUR SUIT CASE NOT FAIR ALL THAT SUNSHINE AND FOOD AND !!!!!!!!!!!HA HA LUV MICHXXXXXXX
You’re only ickle, you could probably both fit in my suitcase 🙂
Hi Cha
This is just a test to see how it works. So far I love your blog!
XXPa
Hey Pa, it works!! Glad you like it … don’t forget to add a photo to your profile 🙂
Where did the time go?
It’s ten years since I started writing this blog.
Diary of a Muzungu has been a veritable labour of love – a record of my adventures across East Africa and so much more – a repository of memories, a place of refuge, an invitation to take part in so many amazing things. As my ten year blogging anniversary approaches, and Diary of a Muzungu evolves from being a blog to becoming a fully-fledged business, I invite you to subscribe to my occasional email newsletter. In it you will find more adventures, travel ideas and advice. If you work in tourism, my email newsletters also provide information on listing in my Travel Directory and registering for my Digital Marketing training courses.
I came to Uganda as a VSO volunteer, where ‘sharing skills’ was our motto. I’m delighted that ten years in, I’m still in a position to share my skills.
Thank you all for being a part of my journey. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.
For God and my (adopted) country.