This summer I joined MDU for 5 weeks and I had the most amazing time.
For starters everyone was very welcoming and I really felt at home, so that most definitely eased my stay a lot more. So let me tell you something about a standard week!
On Mondays and Wednesdays we worked with streetboys. My first thoughts when I saw the conditions the boys lived in, was injustice. To this day I still feel this way, but I quickly realized that I wouldn't be able to change all the struggles they faced during my stay. However, I set my thoughts on giving them love, helping them with new clothes, giving them a listening ear, and carrying on. I think the thing that gave me energy to do this, was the positivity and happiness that these boys had. The days I had with the boys were some of the most rewardings days I've had during my stay.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays we had medical outreaches. During these outreaches we would go to different villages in or around Kampala and provide free medical care. Patients could get tested for HIV and Malaria, get free consultations with the doctor, get provided with free medication and if needed free wound care. The thing that makes the program is most definitely all the children we see during the outreaches, the volunteers and the MDU team!
On Wednesday mornings, all the female volunteers would go work with a small group of girls between 14-20 years old. During this program we taught the girls how to be more confident with themselves, and learn how to talk about things. For example we did a small fashion show, a dance party, and games. But also sharing things about the past. It's very rewarding to see how the girls grow during the time you stay there and work with them.
On Friday mornings we go to the Ssubi house, just across from the volunteer house. This is a school where children with disabilities can go to. There is also a physiotherapist, who works with the children and stimulates their muscles etc. We would mostly chat with the mothers of the children and play with the children.
You must be thinking, when do I have free time to explore the country or have time for myself? Well after the programs there is always time to do things that you would like, for example the market or just simply some me time. On the weekends there are many activities you can do, such as a Safari, Chimpanzee trekking, going to the adventurous Jinja etc.
I really enjoyed my time at MDU and couldn't have asked for a better summer.
Special shout out to all the volunteers and the MDU team that made my time amazing. The volunteers and MDU team really become your family during the vacation and I always could talk with them. And you make friends for life! I'm even going to travel Europe to visit some of the volunteers!!
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