As I was looking to do something related to my studies in my gap year, I thought volunteering abroad would be a great opportunity, and I'm glad I found MDU.
I really enjoyed my time with you and the other volunteers, everyone was really welcoming and helpful. The work was really rewarding as well. Apart from learning how to perform the lab tests and see firsthand how meds are given out, I think what stood out to me was MDU's broader impact. Through education within the medical outreaches, the boys street program and women empowerment initiatives, MDU is truly making a difference in local communities.
Overall, I had a great time and would recommend volunteering with MDU!

Throughout my time in Uganda, In this blog, I am going to talk about the four different project I was involved in during my time there.
Over two days, I visited two different slums where we tested people for HIV and malaria, gave out mosquito nets, gave them the opportunity to see a doctor, gave out medicines for free, and provided wound care. This included distributing antibiotics, malaria tablets analgesics, anti histamines, eye drops and creams. On my first medical outreach, I gave out medicines, mosquito nets and mama kits. Mama kits contained items that could be used during birth and were given out to women who were 8 months pregnant or over. On the second medical outreach I was testing people for malaria and HIV. This was done by pricking their finger with a needle and using their blood sample. The results would then be discussed privately and with sensitivity with the doctor. This experience has benefitted my future career by providing me with additional knowledge and experience of healthcare. Furthermore, it has improved my medical skills because of the wide range of ages I cared for. This healthcare was provided to people in the slums and poor areas who would not have had access to or been able to afford to pay for treatment without these vital services. Malaria kills millions each year if not treated.
The second project involved visiting the street children in Kampala. This was done over two days. We walked around and chatted to the children and then walked them to the yard for the project session. Around 40 children attend each time. We provide wound care as these children has experienced abuse on the streets of Kampala. We offered haircuts, washed clothes, a offered a place to use the toilet and get washed. We also tailored the children’s clothing, seeing up rips and holes. Once this was complete, we taught the children some English as school is expensive in Uganda, and we offered some counselling and gave them all a meal and a biscuit. Finally, we played some games such as cat and mouse and had a dance at the end. This experience has supported my studies with the University of Sunderland where I am enrolled on a degree in Childhood Studies. This experience has helped me to consolidate information and given me a better understanding and experience of what it is like for the children in Uganda. Moreover, I will be sharing my experience to my peers and the second year students later in the academic year.
I also gained teaching experience during my involvement in another project: the woman’s empowerment project. During this project we taught women about human rights. It was interesting to learn their ideas of what human rights are as we asked them for their experiences and their understanding of the rights they were entitled to. The final project I volunteered on was the special needs centre. This is where mothers take their children for physiotherapy and medicine. Me and the other volunteers played with the children. However, there was not much there for their sensory needs. I used my experience and knowledge of supporting children with special needs to try to give the children a good play session.
The experience has been life changing for me and I recommend others to volunteer with the children in Uganda. I considered changing my future goals which have changed as a result of my experiences. I know now that I want to support inequality and make a difference for the lives of children. This led me to change masters degrees and now I work with those who experience inequality, children from all over the world and have experienced homelessness.

• What inspired you to volunteer with MDU?

I have always wanted to visit Uganda, as it is where my grandad is from. He often spoke about how lovely the people were and how green and beautiful the countryside was. By coincidence, a colleague of mine volunteered and recommended it to me. With my grandad growing up in Kampala, it was a dream of mine to visit one day, and I couldn't think of a better way to spend time than with the people he misses and speaks so fondly of. Additionally, coming from a biomedical background, improving health literacy and helping to bridge the gap in health inequality is a personal mission of mine. I could provide a small hand in the medical outreaches.

• What was the most memorable part of your experience?

Spending time with the Kids at the medical outreach who were all so full of life and never failed to make me smile.

• How did this experience impact you?

I learned a lot about my family background and am forever grateful for the chance to visit the place my ancestors came from. It also highlighted how political decisions made by the West impact the rest of the world. During my time, the Trump administration pulled funding for USAID, and while it was spoken of distantly in Western media, seeing the local impact on everyone's livelihood is something that will always stick with me.

• Would you recommend volunteering with MDU? Why?

I will always remember every single person I met at the organization, as they have left a positive mark on my life and I hope to return one day in the near future.

I’ve always wanted to travel to Uganda and being interested in the medical field I really wanted to volunteer within the sector. Seeing MDU had multiple volunteering activities including medical outreach, really inspired me to book the flight and volunteer with them. Not only was the variety of experiences I had while volunteering with them each day memorable but the friendly hardworking staff really make MDU feel like a family. This experience has changed me forever. It has impacted my career choice, the way I travel, and has taught me that spending time and caring for others is more rewarding than just traveling to see a city. You learn so much from the people who work there, as well as those that you meet, it is truly amazing. It also has showed me what kind of person I truly want to be.  I would recommend everyone who wants an adventure, a chance to live like a local, and to learn new lifelong skills to volunteer with MDU. You will meet so many inspiring stories while being able to make a true difference in both the lives of others and your own.