Five female volunteers sent by ADRA Slovakia as part of the Humanitarian Volunteering for Solidarity Activities (HVSA) project became involved in the lives of local communities in Uganda. They focused on educating children, supporting teachers, promoting health awareness, and helping women develop practical skills. Their experiences show that volunteering is not just about what one gives to others, but also about mutual learning, collaboration, and the experiences one gains.
Mariana: Community Work and Communication
Mariana, a volunteer from Portugal, worked in Uganda in collaboration with CEFOVID, an organization that supports vulnerable communities in Kampala. She bridged the gap between communication and fieldwork—managing the social media accounts for the organization and the 2-Tone Garments tailoring workshop, and creating photos and videos that showcased their work to the wider public. At the same time, she participated in the Joy of Playing program, where, together with local teacher Christine Namagambo and another volunteer, Lore, she worked with children through games and educational activities. She also assisted with workshops on menstrual and reproductive health and with activities focused on Ebola prevention. One of the activities she did with the children was creating a Twister game to help them learn colors. During her time there, Mariana also learned from local teachers and children and discovered new ways of teaching and communicating.
Lore: Learning Through Play and Everyday Experiences
Lore, a Belgian volunteer, worked with the CEFOVID organization to support children and young people
people from vulnerable communities. It participated in educational activities at schools and community centers, where it promoted the development of practical skills and awareness of health and hygiene. In the Joy of Playing program, children learned, for example, how to wash their hands properly through games, songs, and hands-on demonstrations. Lore also participated in other activities, including computer classes, a workshop on recycling, and organizing a community cleanup of a Kosovo slum with local residents.
Ana: Supporting Women and Developing Tailoring Skills
Ana, a volunteer from Portugal, devoted her time to local women and female students during her assignment
tailoring. Together, they developed their tailoring skills, created new products, and experimented with upcycled materials. They also looked for ways to better showcase their work and reach customers. One of the most recent activities was a professional photo shoot of 2-Tone Garments products. The resulting photographs and business cards can help the course graduates showcase their work and reach future clients. Ana thus contributed not only to the development of practical skills but also to a better presentation of the products the women are working on.
Linda: New Opportunities for Students and Teachers
Linda, a volunteer from Finland, worked at Treasure Junior School in a suburb of Kampala, where she taught English and physical education, worked with small groups of students, and provided counseling. She also supported teachers in developing more active teaching methods and preparing teaching materials. Through training sessions, she showed them how to incorporate interactive activities and games into their lessons that foster critical 
children’s thinking, creativity, and imagination. Thanks to a successful fundraising campaign, the school was able to acquire computers, allowing Linda to launch digital education for both students and teachers. She also invited the founder of Katwe Kids to the school, who shared his life story with the children and encouraged them to believe in their future and the importance of education. Linda left behind not only new knowledge and educational materials, but also teachers ready to continue with digital education.
Erika: Education, Hygiene, and Leisure Activities
Our Spanish volunteer, Erika, spent eight months in Uganda, during which time she worked with children from slum communities at a local school and community center in Kampala. She helped them with their education, taught them proper hygiene habits, and organized recreational activities, such as theater workshops and computer classes. She also introduced the children to other cultures through movie nights. She also participated in the distribution of clothing and helped beautify the neighborhood by painting a new bridge. Her volunteer work thus included education, practical assistance, and group activities that provided the children with new experiences and opportunities to spend their time meaningfully. 
Volunteering That Brings People Together
The experiences of Mariana, Lora, Ana, Linda, and Erika illustrate the various forms of volunteer work—from working with children and teachers to health education and supporting women in developing their skills. The common thread was collaboration with local people and organizations that understand the needs of their communities and can continue the initiatives even after the volunteers have left.
At the same time, volunteering brings new perspectives, teaches adaptability, and helps us better understand people with different experiences. Sometimes change begins with a game; other times, with a new teaching method, a computer course, or a photograph that helps someone showcase their work to future clients.
The project „Humanitarian Volunteering for Solidarity Activities“ (ref. 101140258), running from 1 February 2024 to 31 January 2027, is co-funded by the European Union.
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