Buyiga Island, a wetland on Lake Victoria in Mpigi district was a world far away from a place I could call home to stay in. All you could see were mud brick houses, the only means of transport was a boat, no electricity, and no infrastructure but amidst all that I had to put away the luxury of a city and concentrate on contributing to a community in need. All these people living on the island have the same blood and color as I do. If they could live on this island, I could too.
Having been deployed in the area within the Buganda region of Uganda I thought I would find the area to be mainly occupied by Baganda. However, upon arrival I found myself immersed in a vibrant community culture that included the diverse tribes including Basoga, Bagwere, Rwandese, and Baganda who welcomed me with open arms. In the past three months, my Volunteer roles included bonding with the community, education initiatives (career guidance and counseling for children), community meetings, community clean-ups, and making vegetable gardens.
Initially, I was faced with the challenges of adapting to a simpler lifestyle of having two meals a day, having high levels of humility, having no electricity, sleeping in wattle houses made from cow dung, and enduring nights with no insect mosquito nets. However, the breathtaking landscapes of the lake and the beautiful plantations became my daily backdrop. This is when I realized that Buyiga Island was an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery.
As days turned into weeks, I witnessed a positive impact in the community, as communities started to realize the importance of togetherness, immunities of households are improving through the making of kitchen gardens, and communities’ mindsets changed as they realized that poverty is not necessarily the lack of money but a lack of ideas and people believing and trusting in me. I have gained various professional names including Musomesa (teacher), Mulimisa (Agronomist), AND Musawo (health worker). Transformation is not only being seen among the people but in myself too. I am learning patience, leadership, people management, budgeting, resilience, and adaptability.
My once fast-paced life as a banker has given way to a more mindful existence. I have learned simple things such as farming rice, and green peppers. Before I could only see such items in shops and never gave thought to the effort that went into their production. Communal gatherings and receiving heartfelt gifts from community members have become part of my life. The sense of fulfillment surpassed the material comforts of working in air-conditioned banks.
The experience I have acquired has added such great value to my life. I have learned the invaluable lessons of empathy, and compassion, and embracing the beauty of change will forever stay with me. But more than ever, I am inspired to make a positive change in my community.
Many thanks to CorpsAfrica/Uganda for giving me such a life-changing opportunity.