One of the best things about an experience like this is you get a chance to discover the person within you. This experience I have found has been a new start and the beginning of how I want to live the rest of my life. Since I first conceived the idea of FACESAfrica and working in the Central region of Kampala, Uganda with many orphanages I started to lay the foundations for independently run projects which were more closely aligned to my own core values. Driven by my own determination to increase the scope of my work and continue to be part of the larger positive change within Africa, I returned to the UK to plant the seeds of my organisation…and so FACES was born. For years I have felt a change within me, I have a new found sense of responsibility and I am starting to find out the kind of person I want to be. Part of that responsibility is realising I have made mistakes in my youth and how it is important to learn and move on from them.
It has been many years of discovery for me. I have discovered an amazing, diverse and culturally enriched country that welcomes the rest of the world with open arms. I have discovered that I can run multiply projects; work with dedicated staff who are helping me develop and change the lives of young people and communities every day. I have discovered extreme poverty that you could never imagine. I have discovered new friends and made bonds which will last for years. I have discovered that I want to work with disadvantaged, vulnerable and most importantly inspirational young people all over the world in the field of international development. I have discovered I can do things I never thought I could do.
I feel like this place (what I am doing!) is a good place to grow, adapt and find the inner me. I am seeing things from a different perspective and, dare I say it, I am becoming a grown up. I am still me, just a better me, a me that has matured and is finding out things he never knew about himself. I have days where I doubt myself and think what on earth am I doing but then I think of all the things I have learned and achieved in such a small amount of time.
I learn new things every day, from how to greet in the national languages to how to catch and negotiate a Boda-Boda (local motorbike taxi). At times Uganda can seem like home especially when in the shops and malls of Kampala and there are also times when I couldnt feel further away like when walking in the local town or going past a slum. It is getting hotter by the day and the humidity level is rising, adapting to this new heat is certainly a challenge and I find myself getting dehydrated much quicker than I would at home. The winter chills are now covering the UK and yet here there are blue skies and long sunny days, it seems very strange when I see photos of my friends and family wearing jumpers, jackets and scarves and I am in shorts and T-shirt.
I am still growing as a person; but then we always do, we never stop growing, we never stop changing. This experience is a great way to take stock of who I really am. I will probably never fully know myself but being here allows me to think about the person I aspire to be. I believe over the course of the next few years will be the grounding for the rest of my life; the challenges I face here will form my experience, endurance and judgement in later life. In African culture becoming a man is the most important thing youll ever do. I think being a man is not determined by age but by actions and maturity, I feel like I am now becoming a grown male, but retaining the spirit of youth.
In August 2013, I returned to Uganda assisted by the much needed and appreciated funds from Hazel Footprints to strengthening our projects and support childrens and young peoples wellbeing and capacity build. It was unforeseen that we would have to return to the UK this year; but we have had opportunities arise for us here that as the Director of this organisation had to pursue; now we have successfully completed our mission in the UK, I am due to fly back out to Uganda in time for Christmas where will know; that in the course of the next five years. Many reports will be written; many advances will be made to see the end of the reliance and dependency on others, to see the futures of young African people thrive and develop beyond merely that of day to day living.
In recent months, we have gained so much, in such a short space of time; we have talked and spoken to so many African youths and communities; (as can be seen from the attached Red Pepper International Press Article) we have formed connections that are proving to be invaluable these are bonds that we plan to continue to develop and nurture. We have always planned to work with, not for, local people and communities. Working with local knowledge and developing partnerships in every step from ideas to realisation. We believe that young people can make the biggest positive change to the world as they have the freshest ideas as how to tackle challenges that they face; it our responsibility as global citizens to tap into these creative ideas and be at the forefront of innovation.
It is not just the youth and communities that we have been connected too, we are beginning to be seen by those that are already in a position of power as an entrusted entity. If we can continue to be successful in maintaining and building these relationships then we hope that this will prove fruitful to our mission. In the foreseeable future, we will be continuing talks which were started in 2013 with the Department of International Development (DFID); the British Council; with MPs in the UK and Uganda; building more strategic links with the Rotary Clubs International and maintaining the link with the club that has been our strongest supporter Crewkerne District Rotary and its President Jeremy Webb and his wife Amanda Brown (who is now a Trustee of FACESAfrica alongside that of Lorraine Tolman, UK)
We urge our supporters, followers and friends to continue to work with us as if it were not for you we would not be able do what we do; with your help and knowledge we continue to make our commitment to do things differently to see long lasting impacts from generation to generation. We doubly urge you to also keep an eye out on Aljeerza Television in 2014 and beyond!
This year has been whirlwind; 2013 is the year that I have decided to established the project as a UK registered non-profit organization called FACESAfrica which is derived from the belief that we should gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face we must do that which we think we cannot and even if we fall on our faces we should keep moving forward. The organization seeks to meet the physical, emotional, economic need of the people of Uganda who need it most.
There will be an opportunity to keep up to date with all that we are doing soon through our new website at www.facesafrica.org.uk and subscribe to our E-newsletter and see how change can be made by doing things differently!
As my friendships and connections developed in Uganda, I wanted to help the youth especially between the ages of 18-30 in particular women so that they can provide for themselves and their families. So I initiated a non interest loan for young peoples program which I hope will be self-sustaining in many years to come to empower the youths to generate much needed income. I am also setting up a short-term child sponsorship and family job placement program putting the power firmly back in the hands of the local people.
For now this is our second report; we know that there will be many more! This will be our way to tell you what we are up to; we appreciate the team at Hazel Footprints for their support; we appreciate all those that take the time to read our updates; for those that may share with others what we do; for those that may decide to make a commitment in another way; your actions today, can make a
difference tomorrow!
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Image credit: shackdwellersinternational
