General Impression
Overall Rating: / 10
Life-changing experience that I will never forget.Country
Uganda is a beautiful country with kind people. It's very helpful that almost everybody speaks some basic English. It was very different from what I'm used to, but in a good way. I loved the food, getting to know their culture and the children - they were the cutest! It wasn't safe at night, but I felt very safe at our accommodation. I also did a little bit of travelling during the weekends and I would really recommend the Sesse islands. I would love to visit Uganda again.
Project & Staff
The best part of my volunteering experience was staying with the local family, because that way I experienced the real life in Uganda. Bazil, Alice and their children are all amazing people - they made us feel very welcome and at home. They really took good care of me and all the other volunteers, I loved chatting with them about life in Uganda. They are very hospitable, warm, respectful, educated and interesting to talk to. I recommend them to everyone.
Regarding the work in the hospital, I felt that they have enough staff in most departments, especially inside the obstetrics building. It was very interesting to see how different the medicine is comparing to my home country and how skillful the nurses are. I really liked the HIV clinic and lab, but it took me some time until i discovered departments/rooms where I felt useful and could get my hands on something. I would suggest rotating until you find the right place. I felt like I left when it became the best. The people in the hospital are really nice. I also suggest fundraising some money and bringing basic medical equipment (especially gloves, hand sanitaizers, needles, stitches) and medicines (antibiotics, analgetics, vitamins) with you.
Regarding the work in the hospital, I felt that they have enough staff in most departments, especially inside the obstetrics building. It was very interesting to see how different the medicine is comparing to my home country and how skillful the nurses are. I really liked the HIV clinic and lab, but it took me some time until i discovered departments/rooms where I felt useful and could get my hands on something. I would suggest rotating until you find the right place. I felt like I left when it became the best. The people in the hospital are really nice. I also suggest fundraising some money and bringing basic medical equipment (especially gloves, hand sanitaizers, needles, stitches) and medicines (antibiotics, analgetics, vitamins) with you.
Tips
Rotate until you find a place where you feel useful and the work is interesting. I really liked my weekend trips, especially to Sesse islands, Jinja and if you have enough money - safari is a good idea as well. Bring enough cash, because they don't accept credit cards in most places. Don't go out at night, if there are two or more of you coming together - bring some games to play or a laptop with movies. Bring clothes that are below your knee and aren't too tight (maybe something you don't wear that often, so that you can leave it to the families in the village, they really appreciate it). Take medicine against malaria regularly. Say that you are married, even if you aren't.