Shauna's Story

Myself and my sister, Sinead, spent a few weeks in the Summer of '07 in Uganda volunteering with the Molly & Paul Childcare Foundation. I
learned so much and met so many wonderful people there that I returned for more in the Summer of '08 with my friends Laura, Joey and
Susie.

Before both trips, my family and friends helped to fundraise money to donate to the various Molly & Paul projects and I was amazed at how
far the funds went:

A good portion of our time was spent teaching in three Molly & Paul schools in Kampala where we fell in love with all of the children and
staff. The children were extremely eager students but they lacked the facilities and environment to reach their goals. The classrooms were
over-crowded and in poor condition, often with more than 100 students crammed into a small space. This made it very difficult for progress
to be made by both students and teachers. After experiencing this first hand, we decided that it was essential to use some of the funds to
build extra classrooms and a staffroom for Busega Primary School. The sewage system in Kibuye Primary & Secondary School was in
appalling condition. Since the school began over 20years ago, the pipes had never been linked to the mains so we helped with this
unhygienic problem by linking the toilets to the public mains. When finances allow, the schools provides porridge for the children during the
school day. However, the school kitchen was dangerously close to falling down and needed urgent attention. The funds covered the cost of
rebuilding the kitchen and replacing the large cooking stoves. It was great to be able to help in these ways although there is still so much
more to be done. We were glad to be able to teach in the schools as the children learn everything through English which is one of the official
languages of Uganda.

We also spent a lot of time in Kamuzinda Children's Village, where we helped in the schools and the orphanage homes. We worked daily at
the farm - where students learn to care and tend to animals and crops to help them to be self-sufficient in the future. We mucked out pig-stys
and cow-stalls, cleaned chicken coops, fed the animals and planted and watered the crops. This tiring work really made me appreciate
everything that I took for granted at home in Ireland. I am completely in awe of the diligent work that they carry out every day just to survive.

As well as teaching and farming, we enjoyed being involved in many other projects including visiting the medical clinic, painting schools and
even labouring on a classroom building project! We also got to observe the extremely talented and hardworking Pearl of Africa Children's
Choir during some of their rehearsals and performances.

We took part in a feeding programme which involved visiting some of the poorest homes to bring a package containing maize, sugar, salt,
soap, oil and matches. The recipients of these basic packages (which cost the equivalent of only about €10) were generally women
widowed by HIV AIDS with several children to support. They lived in small, run down huts made of mud and thatched with grass. To us,
these items seem like basic everyday products, yet they consider them luxuries and even jumped for joy and danced with happiness upon
receiving these small gifts. It was so touching to see how such a small amount of money could make such a dramatic impact on these
people's lives.

Of course, I was a little apprehensive about visiting Uganda and not knowing what to expect. But Molly & Paul and every member of their
large family are amazing people who have dedicated their lives to helping all of these children in need. They took brilliant care of us during our
stay and we are so grateful to them for teaching us so much about the African culture.. African dancing, drumming, singing and cooking!

Although I witnessed many heart-breaking situations, it was difficult to be sad for long when the children and adults alike always seemed to
be either smiling or singing! I found it hard to believe the astounding generosity of the Ugandan people - Even those we visited that had very
little always seemed to be offering and insisting that we take some of their few mangos or avocados! I will forever remember the welcoming
nature of the people and their frequent acts of kindness. The time I spent in Uganda was the most rewarding of my life.. and I am looking
forward to my next trip to this beautiful country!