Reports, experiences, testimonies of former volunteers

My time in Uganda was precious. I learned a lot but I was also able to teach others a lot. I would have loved to stay longer – and I would recommend everybody to stay at least six months. It takes time to adapt to the African culture, and it especially takes time to reach the hearts of the children and the students. It is a lot better and easier for the local children if the volunteers stay for a longer period of time.

Back to my time at Vision for Africa International:
Every morning, I went to the vocational school. There, I was giving computer lessons, or I assisted the computer teacher. It was impressive to see with how much joy the students were practicing and how thankful they were. But quite often, I needed a lot of patience, because they learned quite slowly and forgot quite fast… :-)

In the afternoons, I went to a children’s home called “Peace“. It is the home to six kids aged 3 – 4 years and one baby. There was always a lot going on! I loved to rage and rave with the kids outside, to play games, to go and see the animals at the local “mini farm” or to draw or play something with them. But it was not always easy – working with the sweet boys and girls often required a lot of patience, stamina, strictness but – above all – a lot of love.
Every Saturday, we have offered different “clubs” for the pupils at the Primary School. I always had a great time there.

I also loved the fellowship with the other volunteers. The “volis” were my family and I felt so well and accepted. During these five months, my relationship with God was intensified a lot, and I am so thankful to him. It was just wonderful.

Maja Dettwiler

Uganda 2007/2008

I’ve been home to Germany for three weeks now – but somehow I have not fully arrived yet. Very often, my thoughts are still in Africa and in everything I experienced, saw and learned there. I spent eight months as a volunteer with Vision for Africa, and it was a precious time. Now I am in the process of separating what I want to keep and what I need to let go because it belongs to Africa, to its people, to its country, and to its culture. Our cultures are very different and it is not easy, but I cannot mix the two cultures even though I’d like to do that. But Europe is not Africa, and I am in Germany again, which is good and right, but I just need some time to re-adapt, to find my place in our culture and in our way of living – without forgetting where I have been during the last eight months and what I was doing. Only too quick it could happen that I just continue where I left everything, that I just go ahead with what I was doing before, pretending nothing has happened. This is something I noticed very quickly. Faster than I would have thought the world around me tried to consume me and to steal my new vision of what I have learned in this far-away country by God’s grace. During my time in Africa, God has focused me in a very intense way onto him, and the least thing I want is to lose this focus on him. He has endowed me with so much during these eight months, and I now carry all of these endowments and presents in my heart.

Uganda is a beautiful and multifaceted country. There are the cities: overcrowded streets, large crowds of people, markets, dust, taxis, and chaos. The whole life takes place on the streets. And then the rural areas: wide landscape, hills, intense green, bush, simple huts, and children everywhere. Children who stand at every corner, carry water or just hang around together. They are beaming at you, smiling with their white teeth. They are barefoot and mostly wear old, torn clothes but sometimes little princess’ dresses. They stand there and look at you. They soon take trust in you, take you into their hearts, savour your attention and love, they are starving for it. You just sit down, sing a song with them, play with them with their self-made rubbish ball, and even though you don’t speak their language you are soon surrounded by 50 children. They come from everywhere, carrying their little siblings on their backs. It is wonderful to see how they are a bit sceptical, careful and observant at first, but then they open their hearts and thus give you so much love.
You can make them so happy with balloons or soap bubbles, and their joy makes you joyful and it touches your heart. These children grow up in very difficult surroundings; I have hardly met any family living in conditions that would be “normal” to us. African men can have up to three wives/women, and therefore there are many mothers raising their children by themselves. This number is increased by a large number of early deaths, by sickness and by war. Many men have four children or more with each of these women, and in almost every family there is at least one more child from a deceased sibling of the parents.

The number of children in Uganda is incredibly high. 50 percent of the Ugandan population is under 15 years of age. AIDS has decreased, but it still remains a huge problem. The treatment is free, but treatment would need to occur early and regularly. When people here receive medication for free they keep it for later, when they would be doing worse. They take every day as it comes, they do not plan the way we do. If they have a good harvest today, they will eat a lot.
They have a lot less than we do, but they are much more hospitable. If you visit people they will invite you to eat with them, sitting on the floor, eating with your fingers or with the only fork that can be found in the house, sitting in a small hut where there is concrete floor, a small mat, an old blanket that separates the sleeping area from the living area, and a small shelf in which their things are somehow stored and stapled. They offer you the best they have, and they will even give you some mangos or avocados before you head home. They are not so attached to their belongings and therefore live in much more freedom, they share and happily give to others, including to you – although you have much more than they do. But ‘living today’ also brings disadvantages. The children only learn after a lot of motivation and encouragement that they can make something out of their lives. That they can learn a profession, that they might even have to leave their village, that their lives are valuable, precious and meaningful. There are not only a product – the Ugandans say “produce” instead of “give birth” when a woman gets a baby, which shows low esteem. These children have to be told that they are wanted, and according to our faith they are perfectly created and planned.

I enjoyed it a lot to support one of the African teachers – Teacher Regina – in the nursery (Kindergarten). She has perfectly prepared the top class for school entry, and her lessons were impeccable. She also requested absolute discipline. Regina also gave a lot of love to the kids, and everybody could feel her love and her joy of teaching. She gave a lot of self-confidence to the kids, hope, courage and vision. Already in this early age we can see how these children develop and how their thinking can be changed. They learn that they are valuable, that they don’t go down in the mass which often happens in the large families, where a man has several wives and numerous children. The relationship between father and child is mostly bad or even non-existing. But at the nursery school of VfA, the children feel accepted and well. 30 of them sleep with one “mother” in a dormitory which is furnished frugally. The children eat the same every day: posho and beans, the staple food for every Ugandan; they have a safe home, a well-maintained compound, they are well educated and they love the community and fellowship. They are allowed to be children, and they enjoy it.
But they are also looking forward to the holidays when they can go home. On the “day of collection” they are excited and full of expectations when they wait for their parent(s) or other family members like aunties, grandparents or elder siblings to pick them up. But even then, we do not see a lot of proximity or emotions in the relationship between the kids and their relatives. Only a few children run towards their parents/relatives, although they keep telling others that they are so much looking forward to seeing them again. They meet their parents or relatives with a certain distance, reserve and bashfulness. The African family is a difficult topic, because on one hand, the family and its sense of a common bond plays an outstanding role, but on the other hand, families are so broken and corrupt (and our German families are not better).

Yes, I was lucky to have made many experiences that are highly valuable to me. I had such a good time, and I am so thankful to God from all of my heart. He cared for me and has kept me well and brought me home safely. I believe it is an amazing grace that at the age of only 20 years, I was able to get to know a foreign country and that I could learn so much and grow as a person. Moreover, it was a good time for me with God, and he has changed my view about many things here, and he has focused me onto him, so I now feel prepared for what lies ahead.

My two months at Vision for Africa

When I look back it seems like yesterday. One day, I was 9 years old, I told my mother: “Mom, I just know it, one day I will go to Africa.”
It was a desire and a love that I already had back then. I really prayed for this dream, sometimes I would forget about it, but God kept showing me – until today – that it is worth dreaming and it is worth listening to the voice of our heart. Of course, we also need to do something about it, but God gives us this voice for a purpose.

My feelings when I finally reached African ground were just overwhelming. When I reached “Vision for Africa” the volunteers welcomed me cordially, and I still have wonderful friendships with some of them. The fellowship among the volunteers is very cordial and affectionate, and when I was not feeling too well (physically, emotionally or spiritually) at least one of them would detect this and come to me, so no one is forgotten or lost. These are the moments when you experience that the volunteers are really like a family. It can be very funny with them, and I remember having shed tears from laughing so much, and my belly muscles were aching. Today, I really miss these times and I would recommend to everybody to make this African experience.

The everyday work life began immediately after I arrived: Working at the Primary School, a children’s home and the “drawing hours” (to prepare teaching material for the Primary School) – I enjoyed all of it.

I have worked in the children’s home “House Joy”. The work there was wonderful. The openness and warmth of the children gave me so much. Without even knowing, these children were blessing me abundantly. When I was not doing so well one day and when I was reaching the orphanage, one of the kids would hug me – and all sadness was gone. The love they gave me was able to remove everything bad and rigid within me.
During my time in the orphanage I built up and enjoyed deep friendly relationships. As a volunteer, I was part of their family. I felt that I belonged to them, I sometimes helped in the household, and in the evenings I showered some of the children. That was so much fun, and we had such a great time in the evenings. Sometimes we would tickle each other, so all of us (10 kids and I) would lie on the floor laughing.
With Mama Alice, the mother of the house, I had very good discussions, and she was an important and good friend to me. I also learned a lot from the other (assistant) mothers, especially how to deal with the children. Thanks to you all, I will never forget this wonderful time!

At the Primary School, I worked in the “Resource Room” that took place from 15.00 until 16.00. We played board games with the kids, or memory, or cards, or we invented our own games, such as word or calculation games, and we sometimes practiced reading.
On Saturdays, the volunteers organised so-called “clubs”: the puzzle club, the sports club, and many more. The children loved to join these clubs and they had a very good time. Sometimes it was quite challenging and tiring, but in the end I can say it was all worth it. A smile of one of the children makes up for it all!

I have only been two months at Vision for Africa. The time flew by, and I regretted so much not having stayed longer. I strongly recommend to future volunteers to stay there as long as they can manage! :-)
Of course, it is sometimes exhausting and not easy, but I will never forget the time there. I enjoyed precious moments and God was so close to me and I learned more about him and his ways.

Thank you, Jesus!!!!!!

Africa!

I would have never imagined that there is somebody in heaven who gives us little presents every day of our lives. One day, I received a present with a sticker “Uganda / Vision for Africa Int'l.“ on it.

Thus, I have packed a few belongings and took a plane to get there. But deep inside my heart, I was not yet ready to leave everything in Europe...

But what I have experienced there has completely changed my life. The love and the warmth and cordiality of the people (especially of the children), the diversity of the nature and the atmosphere at Vision for Africa have really changed me, and I was able to just be myself.

I deeply enjoyed the time with the kids (in the nursery/kindergarten and the primary school) – although it was not always easy since I needed a lot of stamina and patience. I don't regret a single second I spent with these cute kids, and I now miss them a lot!

In Africa, I have learned to assume more responsibility for myself and for others. I have learned to integrate myself in a community and to accept myself and others just as they are, I have learned to be open for the „Unknown“ and to be open and affectionate to the people around me.

And I thank God so much for all these experiences!

Petra Ohnemus, September 2007 - February 2008

So now my last day at Vision or Africa has arrived after almost six months!

Although my heart jumps for joy when I think of my family and friends at home, the departure is still very painful for me. I have come to know and love the people and the country. The warmth and friendliness of the people and their dedication and passion in prayer and worship thrills me. I also love the lush green, beautiful countryside (I always thought of Africa as desert!).
I have felt very much at home here, due mainly to my colleagues – all of them friendly, fantastic, interesting people! Through community living (a special hello to the Glory Stable girls), eating together, working together, relaxing and praying together we have grown into a family.
I will miss you so much!!!

I am so grateful to God for making it possible for me to come here. My biggest worries were homesickness and malaria, but though much prayer support from home I didn’t suffer from either (and that is a real miracle in view of how much I am normally homesick!).
Talking of miracles – when I came here I thought I would experience non-stop healings and other miracles. I did experience some of these, but God has shown me here how much He has changed me during the past six years of being a born-again Christian. As I led a relatively “decent” life before my conversion, there was no before and after for me. But now I know that what God implanted in me is surfacing more and more (Hallelujah!).
I also experienced a lot of joy here, and have probably developed a few laughter creases – and possibly stomach muscles – through laughing so much :-)

The work with the children in school was very rewarding. It was a joy to see how much the children here enjoy learning, and how grateful they are for anything one does with them. Working in the orphanage was sometimes hard work, but the little ones are so cute and I have grown more fond of them than I wanted to!

Finally, I can say that I have not regretted coming here even for one second, and that I am going home richly rewarded.

With love from
Petra Ohnemus

Christina Pfaller, Johanna Schaeffler, Lisa Lange and Melanie Bauer, volunteers in 2006/2007

Through my time as a volunteer in Uganda I experienced: