Now the Road2Uganda is complete how do you feel?

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​On one hand I feel immensely proud that I was able to take an idea, and develop it into helping so many young children across the world. However, I also know that there is so much more that can be done, which makes me ponder on what is next.

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How east/difficult was this par of the journey?

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​Honestly, knowing that what I set out to accomplish has been done has been extremely difficult. It is very easy to fall in love with the country, the people and the surroundings, and leaving that behind and moving onto the ‘next chapter’ has been something that I have been trying to come to terms with.

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​What has this part of the journey taught you?

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​This part of the journey has taught me that helping people never ends. Doing such things as travelling, volunteering or creating a charitable campaign only inspires you to broaden your horizons to inspire and help more people. As long as there are people suffering, I would like to think there will be people who will be there to help and support.

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Do you Stay Connected to anyone you met in Uganda?

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Yes, I am in regular contact with Martin, who is the volunteer co-ordinator over in Uganda, some of the teachers and leaders of various programs, and to many of the children’s families that have been helped with the creation of the school. I also keep in contact with many of the volunteers, and regularly connect with them (no matter where they are in the world). In fact, recently fellow volunteer Nick Ornella invited me to his wedding in Ohio, which was a complete blast! I never thought I’d see him with a more frightful look than rafting down the Nile, but walking down the aisle was a close second!

 

How much of a different perspective do you get being a volunteer, as oppose to being a general tourist?

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The difference is astronomical. Not only do you get to connect with the local people on a deeper level, often being invited to their house for a meal, but you get to know the inns and outs of the area. The local people take you to the local places, and that ‘typical tourist’ experience, where you see on the surface level of the country does not happen. Having said that, many volunteer’s, travel and do the ‘tourist’ activities before or after they arrive, and therefore get the best of both worlds.

We tend to live in a world governed by fear, where people immediately assume it is not safe to mingle with the local people, however as long as you use your wisdom, do your research and go with the right intentions there is no doubt that the fear you originally had, will be overcome with immense joy.

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