Exchange Location: Kampala, Uganda

Program Name: Teens Uganda

             
Internship Duration: 9 weeks


 

 

A typical day on your internship:

 

I worked for a small, local NGO called Teens Uganda, an organisation that deals with the local teenagers in the poor suburb of Kawaala. My role was to organise fun, educational and motivational activities for the youth. For example, I had a large part in organising a Sports and HIV Day, with very limited resources and funding. Inaddition, I also taught in the holiday program, which aimed to develop the teenagers’ leadership skills and life planning skills, and also provide an opportunity for goal setting and confidence boosting. Besides this role, I was also given the opportunity to assist in the operations at the nearby Kawaala Health Centre, which was a partner to Teens Uganda. Here, I assisted in testing, counseling and educating patients for HIV/AIDS.

 

 

 

What did you enjoy most about your exchange?

 

There were too many things in my internship that I enjoyed, but perhaps the best part was the positivity from the youths at Teens Uganda. They were so appreciative of every little bit of help and advice that I gave them. Every day, the kids would be friendly and cheerful; never would I notice any pessimism, despite of their underprivileged circumstances.

 

Other than that I enjoyed being able to thoroughly experience local African life. From the first day, I integrated in the local life and the other interns taught me how to use the ‘taxis’ (minivan transport) to travel to work. From the moment I arrived I was eating local Ugandan food and street food. I also participated actively in the life at Teens Uganda. Every day, after the holiday program, the kids would practise dancing and I would enthusiastically join in. The highlight of my Teens Uganda dancing career was definitely when I performed a salsa routine at their New Years Celebration!

 

Finally, I enjoyed the portion of African life that occurred at night, namely, parties at the intern house and going out to the bars and clubs in the city, with the international interns and local Ugandans. A most memorable event was hitching a ride home on the back of a truck at 2am in the morning!

 

 

 

How do you feel after finishing your internship?

I feel that must return to Uganda in the future and reunite all the friends I have made. And the kids that I worked with – I’d love to see how they are going in a few years’ time.




 

Any words of advice for future exchange participants?

 

Make sure you find out as much as you can about your internship and its location before you confirm. Ensure that your role is exactly what you want, so that you are not disappointed when you arrive.
 

While you are undertaking the internship, take the initiative. Do not wait for someone to give you work to do, as this may not always happen. A lot of the time, you may have to ask for more work or to offer your services, if you want to get the most out of your internship.