Make A Difference!

Hello Friends and Family,

As many of you know, I recently spent the summer of 2009 volunteering in a small village known as Kyazanga in Uganda. Involved with a rather new organization, House of Hope Orphan Care and Globalize Primary School, I worked with children ranging in age from 3-15 years old, who have lost their guardians due to AIDS and other illnesses. House of Hope is focused on bringing aid and education to the orphans of the area and works primarily in Nakateete and Kyazanga villages in the Masaka District of Western Uganda. This is along the trade route where HIV/AIDS most devastated Uganda.

Working through the Global Volunteer Network (GVN) I was able to improve the lives of around 120 children. The living conditions of these children are considered challenging for many Americans, and far from Western civilization. During my stay, I lived in a compound within the village of Kyazanga and was provided a bed with mosquito netting, as well as 3 meals a day. Though there is was no running water, I was provided with a communal “squat” latrine, as well as an enclosed area for bathing using a bucket of water. Life in Uganda is completely different than anything I have ever experienced I consider it a gift and a very rare opportunity to live in such a different way.

The main goal of this volunteer program was to give these kids what they need to grow and thrive; things such as adequate nutrition, clean water, medical care, education, and the security of knowing that someone loves them. In order to complete this goal, I used my personal savings as well as donations from family/friends to make it to Africa. I also had to make the difficult decision to resign from my current job in order to work and live in Uganda for 10 weeks. It was no simple choice but what I was able to give and take away from the children of Uganda is truly priceless.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the program or my experience.

With love and appreciation,
Lauren Himiak