I'll be going to Africa soon.
I'm going with the Danish NGO Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke's volunteer program Global Contact.
On April 2nd I'll be leaving Copenhagen for Zanzibar - Not a bad swap, I dare say. I could use some sun after just spending the longest winter ever in Denmark.
Zanzibar has nice sunny weather right now (25-30C/77-85F) and everyone who's been there says it's paradise in Earth. The only person who's had something negative to say was my doctor who said it's the Worlds biggest malaria nest. And I'm going in the middle of the rainy season. That doesn't mean rain all day, but very intense rain for an hour or two and then sun again. But anyway the mosquitos love it, so of course I am gonna take anti malaria medication and I have all my other vaccines taken care of too (including a delicious raspberry flavoured cholera drink) so I'm all good to go.
I will be on Zanzibar for one month where I'll go to school and learn about African culture and history, the problems the continent faces, development strategies, and Swahili. And hopefully I'll get the opportunity to go diving again... I'm sure I won't have any problems finding ways to spend my time.
On May 1st I'll be going to Uganda to work as a volunteer for three months. I'll be working with Uganda Pioneer's Association (UPA) and most likely I'll be working with Aids patients in Kampala. I can't really know anything for sure until I get there though, because it depends on the specific projects and they are sometimes closed from one day to another due to e.g insufficient funding.
I guess I better prepare myself for everything happening on African Time (or maybe not happening at all...). It will be a nice contrast to the Danish punctuality.
More than that I've tried to mentally prepare by reading and watching different things about East Africa and the Aids epidemic and I also went on a mandatory one week preparation course with MS. But I do realize that no matter what, it's gonna be a total shock and it's not gonna be easy. Especially considering the work I'll be doing.
I'm just gonna have to go with the flow and figure it out as I go along. Can't wait to experience it all!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Hey Anne..!
To be honest I didnt believe that you would stay in Denmark for too long when I met you some months ago. And I was right! Youre an adventurer and I guess Denmark is just to small and boring for you...am I right?
I cant wait to hear about your new adventures. As you know Im a married guy now, and even though she is a brazillian adventure, we still live in Denmark...So I guess that Ill be enjoying your adventures alsmot as much as you, and I cant wait to hear more about them!!
But please dont fall in love, get married and stay in Africa, I dont want to wait 6 years to see you again...!!
Have a very good trip
Knus fra en dansk beundrer
But please dont fall in love, get married and stay in Africa, I dont want to wait 6 years to see you again...!! I surtainly agree to this comment from an obviously danish friend. I'm thrilled to hear that you are following the line of this special somone - who wants to make a difference... I wish you lots of good energy for what ever kind of challenges you'll meet. Stay healthy and return to good old Denmark with "no blame" - as it's said in the I Ching... Love from Hanne ;-)
Post a Comment