Since I was young, I dreamed of exploring Africa, driven by curiosity and a desire to serve. Travelling with my school to Uganda, I visited a slum and met two women facing hardship.
The first woman, abandoned by her husband after contracting HIV, found strength in her faith and support from Watoto, selling shoes to support her daughter. The second woman struggled to care for a child with microcephaly in poverty, lacking basics like clean water. This highlighted the contrast between our lives and theirs, challenging our assumptions. Despite initial suspicion, we were inspired by their resilience. Usually shy, I embraced these two women, holding their dark hands, feeling their warmth and strength.
On the second day, we helped local university students with teaching. The classroom was packed with over two hundred students, like a significant public speaking event in Hong Kong. Three or four students shared each desk, making it hard to move. My job was to hand out textbooks and help students write their names. It seemed easy, but the class ended when I reached the hundredth student. I began to appreciate how valuable classroom time is. The students wrote bold, round handwriting like they were committing knowledge to memory.
We also participated in the Keep a Girl to School programme, which provided sanitary pads to girls during menstruation. This was challenging; there were long lines of girls, and many hesitated to come forward. We learned that volunteering was not always welcomed, which shocked me and highlighted cultural differences. This situation was both heartbreaking and profound.
The Watoto school felt like a calm oasis. Classrooms were quiet and orderly, with students raising their hands to ask questions. They were learning about the Mid-Autumn Festival and making lanterns despite challenges with poor-quality materials. Students helped each other, showing the importance of quality education. I realized that learning and socialization are crucial in shaping who we become, challenging my assumption that everyone learns naturally.
Our renovation project at the rural school reminded me of the hard physical labour I rarely experienced. The old building needed a lot of work, but the friendly worker patiently taught us repair techniques. We sanded, painted, and filled holes, feeling the dust in our lungs and our hands aching. The craftsman’s skill highlighted the dedication of construction workers. The kind headmaster welcomed us warmly and invited us for lunch. On the last day, students gave us thank-you cards and performed a dance they had rehearsed. Their joyful faces and gratitude erased our exhaustion, reminding us of the impact of kindness. This humbling experience highlighted the value of hard work, quality education, and simple acts of kindness.
Our journey was full of challenges, but we supported each other and discovered a different world, making me grateful for the friends I made. The incredible culture we experienced daily broadened my horizons and taught me to be more empathetic.
