Working with RWEYOWA has been an incredibly rewarding, enlightening and enjoyable experience. When I first applied to work with an HIV/AIDS organisation I was not entirely sure what to expect but my time with RWEYOWA has been everything I had hoped it would be.

My programme has been wonderfully varied, giving me an insight into every area of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda, from prevention and sensitisation to treatment and care for those affected by the virus.

I have learnt a huge amount from RWEYOWA, both through experience and formally, having taken a course on HIV/AIDS and treatment at Mildmay Uganda, one of the largest HIV/AIDS organisations in the country and a partner of RWEYOWA.

Whether it’s been walking miles, weighed down by heavy rucksacks, to bring food and support to families affected by HIV and struggling to survive, immunizing tiny babies against polio in some of the most deprived areas of Kampala, or writing detailed proposals for project funding, the work has always proven both challenging and rewarding.

The greatest thing about working with RWEYOWA, however, is the people you work alongside. RWEYOWA’s staff are all dedicated volunteers who have guided, supported and inspired me during my time in Uganda. Not only highly professional and skilled, they are also unfailingly kind, cheerful and positive, even at the most frustrating of moments.

I will be extremely sad to leave but I will be taking with me a wealth of experience and knowledge, and some lasting friendships.

Philip Nelson
phil.nelson0@googlemail.com

The people who work with RWEYOWA have taught me so much – about working with people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, about working with a local NGO, about compassion, and about life. I knew coming into this experience that I was going to learn a lot about the world of NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS; I didn’t realize that I would gain so much more than that.

It has been such a pleasure sharing my daily life with the people of RWEYOWA and the surrounding area. Our days have been widely varied – from hiking around Namasuba and other areas to bring supplies and support to our clients, to visiting local schools to discuss HIV/AIDS with the students, to conducting VCT (voluntary counseling and testing for HIV) in neighboring communities. I also spent quite a bit of time familiarizing myself with all of RWEYOWA’s programs in order to work on grant applications and organize a monitoring and evaluation plan.

I came into this trip with a little bit of knowledge to share and a lot of excitement – I left with a working knowledge of NGOs, a greater appreciation of the value of local knowledge and experiences, and a few great friendships. I look forward to continuing to support RWEYOWA’s work from home! Please contact me with any questions or advice about volunteering overseas. I would love to share!

Alena Mack
travelinlegs@yahoo.com

My reason for volunteering with RWEYOWA was quite different from most. My reasons were simply to share a volunteer experience with my daughter, Alena, and to see, first hand what it is that she is pursuing as her career in international public health.

What I received was much more than that. To see the inner workings of a small locally run organization was an eye opener. The organization, determination, strength and compassion these young men have for their community is something to be admired.

Flexibility and adaptability are good strengths to bring along as every day with them is different. I helped organize and work at VCTs (Voluntary Counseling and Testing), and walked many miles to take food and medicine to community members. Part of my time was spent on Project Restore RWEYOWA, which enabled me to utilize my strengths as a craftswoman. By the time we were done, we had painted, patched and upholstered everything in the office. It felt good to give these young men the office they so deserve, as the work they do is important and necessary for the health of their community.

To work with such compassionate, humble and capable men has been life changing. To volunteer with RWEYOWA is one of the most rewarding endeavors in my life.

Michelle Workowski