This was already my fifth trip to Africa, my third time volunteering, and my second time in the same place. But even a return visit to a familiar location brings certain concerns, and I wasn’t exempt from them.
Completely unnecessary worries, as it turned out…
Uganda, Masindi – familiar paths, neighbors, market vendors, but most importantly, the children I traveled thousands of kilometers to see, whom I hadn’t seen for two and a half years. They had all grown, matured, and changed—not just physically. They had gained confidence, become more open, and bolder. Judith, whom I had last seen as a baby not even a year old, was now doing great in her role as an older sister. David, Denis, and William, whom I hadn’t met during my first stay, made a great impression on me—especially William, with his dedication and commitment to caring for the younger children.
Always cheerful: Fortunka, Martha, and Sabrina frequently brought smiles to my face. Penina and Joan were an inseparable duo, constantly coming up with new ways to make their days more exciting. However, the one who surprised me the most was Gladys. She never saw her disability as a limitation, only as a challenge to overcome. She participated in all household chores: hanging and collecting laundry on crutches, helping in the kitchen, washing, ironing, and cleaning. I saw in her a strong young woman, and I know she will face all of life’s challenges with determination.
Nangoma was incredibly transformed—calmer, more peaceful, responding with laughter, and making her presence known among the children more and more.
There is nothing more beautiful to me than seeing them grow and change in a loving home. Moments with them are the best remedy for sadness, and watching them grow gives life meaning.
What did this trip teach me? Simply being among them was enough—organizing activities, observing them, and soaking in the time spent together. Every day that started this way was a blessing. Over time, I realized that my presence was just as important to them and that my actions truly made a difference. But this isn’t something tangible.
One of the most unforgettable experiences for me was the trip we organized to Entebbe. The youngest children handled the challenges of the journey tirelessly— to me, they are little heroes; they never complain, but they always smile. That completely won my heart.
Masindi – Babies Home will forever remain in my heart and mind as my second home.
Volunteering gives me so much in terms of personal growth; it allows for the exchange of experiences from different spheres of life. At this moment, I feel a huge responsibility for the reality in which these children live. The best thing I can do for them is to turn this awareness into positive action—to educate people, to make them more sensitive to the world’s problems. If we fail to do this, we waste an enormous potential.
I believe that we create the reality we live in and are responsible for it. I am grateful for what I have, for the way I get to live, and I want to share this positive energy with others.
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