Experience report from kindergarten in Uganda

Warm mentality of my fellow human beings in Uganda

I signed up to volunteer at a kindergarten in Uganda and I am completely overwhelmed by everything that has happened to me. If you open yourself to the culture of Uganda, you can only enjoy the time. The people are all so open and warm and you feel right at home.

My host family

I lived in a host family with a mother, father, daughter and two sons, where I immediately felt part of the family. We always cooked, played and even watched TV together. I was particularly close to my host mother.

The neighborhoods in Uganda are also very different from ours. Everyone is known to everyone, you could almost say friends. And you often eat together with others, and the doors are always open to you. The people here are so kind. They also share the last thing they have with the people they love.

Personal experiences in kindergarten

I was integrated directly into my work, was allowed to teach the children myself and helped to correct the assignments and homework. Of course we also sang and played a lot with the children, made handicrafts and painted and had a lot of fun together.

In the morning we had breakfast together, at lunchtime we alternately had rice, Matooke or Poscho. In general, I was more than enthusiastic about the food in Uganda! It's always fresh, healthy food that just tastes really good.

The children in the kindergarten were between three and eight years old. At the age of three, they start learning English, mathematics, religion and their national language, Luganda, as well as reading and writing in the respective languages. We taught the children songs in English and they showed me songs in Luganda. The children are all very eager to learn and have great potential.

In addition, my teaching colleagues and the children were very open and friendly towards me and I immediately felt at home! Of course you have to get used to the fact that white skin is something special for them and the children never stop wanting to touch them. You are a very valued fellow human being for the children and colleagues and they also share many experiences with you if you ask about them. We also celebrated the birthdays of two children outside with the whole kindergarten and there was even cake and soda.

Weekend trips in Uganda

On the weekends you have the opportunity to travel. For example, I went on a safari to Murchison Falls National Park and absolutely loved it. The landscape, flora and fauna of Uganda is breathtaking!

Conclusion for my time in Uganda

I can only recommend everyone to tackle a project like this, no matter what kind. You realize every second how important the work you are doing is and that you can actually make a difference even on a small scale.

Experience report from kindergarten in Uganda by Vivien M, 14.10.15