Its difficult to express the array of emotions I'm going through at the moment: fear, excitment, worry and happiness. I seem to have a permanent knot in my stomach and sleep doesnt come easily when there's so much to think about! However, I realise what a fantastic opportunity this is for me both personally and professionally and I wouldnt swap it for the world.
I am currently working as a nursery practitioner at Loughborough Campus Nursery. I have been given the opportunity to volunteer for 6 months at ABC Uganda. The orphanage where I will be based houses over 64 children aged from newborns to 6 years old. Many of the children who came to the home are orphaned when their parents die due to AIDS, birth complications or other factors. Some are abandoned in the hospital after birth. Others are found abandoned at taxi stops, in latrines, or on the street. Some of the children themselves have HIV or TB. Alot of the babies that arrive are premature and need a lot of initial care to nurse them to health and strength.
During my time there I am hoping to set-up a pre-school programme and some kind of structure to get the kids playing and making the most of their childhood! I hope to introduce a routine to promote play (and learning for the older/pre-school/school age kids). I will use my knowledge and skills I have learnt through the Childcare and Education Diploma Course and also the experiences I have gained working at Loughborough Campus Nursery.
My main apprehension about this trip is how I will cope living in a completely different environment. I travelled to Uganda last year for three weeks where I volunteered at ABC, so I am aware more or less of some of the difficulties I will be faced with. From all my travelling and living abroad I have never suffered from culture shock and I may undoubtedly suffer from it this time.
I know that I am going to get so attached to these kids and the hardest thing for me is going to be when my 6 months is up - it's going to be so hard to tear myself away from these little bundles of joy. I would love to take these kids home with me or even adopt one - however the whole adoption process is a whole lot more complicated than Madonna makes it out to be!!
One word of advice - be prepared early! I have found so many things to do in the last 2 weeks - purchasing insurance, getting a visa card (as that's all that can be used in Uganda), shopping for various important items. Within 7 days of leaving my tooth has become very painful - try getting a dentist appointment in 5 working days!!
As my departure draws closer I am getting more and more excited about the opportunities ahead of me and all the great things I will be able to do. I'm going with an open mind and am excited about all the new things I will learn and about the people I will meet.
Now for the thankyous:
Thanks to 'Changemakers' group who did a fab job in organising the Funday where we raised a staggering £540, thankyou for all your support and helping make this opportunity possible. Thankyou to 'Starfish' for your help on the day and by the way I loved the human fruit machine - so clever! A big thankyou to all those that came to the Family Funday too - we had a great turnout.
Thanks to all those at Loughborough Campus Nursery who sponsored me to climb Crib Goch! Thankyou all for your support and encouragment. I will miss you all - but I'm sure the feeling isn't mutual! lol
Thanks to all my family and friends for supporting me both financially and personally - you all believe in me - and I thank you for that :)
A massive thankyou has to go to Hazel Footprints Trust who have granted me £500!! This money is like an answer to prayers and will help make such a difference to the lives of these kids.
Thankyou to Weanie Wear, Nottingham who donated a massive box full of clothes for preemies - these will be an incredible blessing to the preemies who now have something that fits!
LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!!
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