General Impression
Overall Rating: / 10
This has been the best volunteer trip I have had thus far, particularly because of the host family. I cannot thank them enough for showing me how true Ugandan love and hospitality is all about.I’ve done these experiences in the past and know part of the same is to adapt and take in the culture and lifestyle. Much of this may just be MY experience, but just in case it may apply in the future, I think a few constructive comments/suggestions for future procedures/volunteers can slightly further benefit the experience on both ends:
-Perhaps a notice to the volunteer that the family is vegetarian and necessarily does not consume dairy, and for the volunteers, if they’re opting to consume meat/dairy, to respect the family’s diet lifestyle, including eating such products privately. There were no problems and I had a healthy blast eating straight from the family’s garden! But, I just thought, for example, that if a volunteer brought in a chicken pie from the petrol station, it may either insult the family or simply cause uneasiness as to the smell. Or, at worst, the family may feel they could not live as usual or that they were somehow being disrespectful to the volunteer’s diet wishes.
-Village life is beautifully simple, including use of the latrine. While it may be researched by the volunteer prior to starting the program, maybe a notice as to the very basic physical process of using the same would help. I have used them before in other countries. But, I, coincidentally, have lower back problems and some of the times had problems squatting low to use the same. This local lifestyle, however, is what I signed up for and admire; but maybe a heads up to future volunteers as to any issues squatting would not hurt, so they may possibly make other arrangements/modifications, or, simply anticipate the process.
-The living quarters were more than adequate and the family extremely respected my space. Though, perhaps information from the volunteer as to any issues sleeping or as to back problems would aide both the volunteer and the family to prepare the quarters. I, again, coincidentally, have back issues and need firm bedding; otherwise I’m in pain the entire following day and lose sleep. The family was amazing in re-arranging the softer mattress and net provided to a firmer one; but maybe a heads up on both ends in the future would alleviate the need/burden to make those alterations. I just feel loss of sleep would not be ideal to allow the volunteer to make its greatest impact to this beautiful community.
-I’d say the same thought process or notice would go for the moto taxi; as, particularly in the village, there were many bumps and I was out of commission one day simply due to back recovery.
-Lastly, I’d say a heads up to the volunteer that, outside of the local village street food options for weekly lunch (unless I’d make the trek daily to the gas station via moto taxi), the volunteer is limited to eating the food offered at the orphanage, which may be troublesome and not necessarily sanitary for some. I adapted. But, Basil and his family always offered lunch, but not to impose a future burden on them, I suggested maybe increasing their stipend to allow for them to cover daily lunch. Either way, notice about that would help.