In September and October 2014, we hosted a volunteer from Germany, Jens Hirschfeld. He was a very outgoing guy. Jens sang songs, learned local craft skills, dug in the garden, and played football with and generally mentored young people. He became a fixture in Lugazi town, learned quite a lot of Luganda, cooked food for his host family, and became a huge advocate for Uganda. He even brought out a couple friends from home to travel the country a bit. When his time was over, we were all sad to see him go.
We all figured we hadn’t heard the last of him.
Sure enough, in August 2015, Jens organized a huge football tournament and family day in his home town, Bonn. It was a fundraiser for both his host in Uganda, Hopeline Organization, and for The Real Uganda. You can read the details here. It raised 1,700 Euros. No small change. We used our portion of the proceeds to fund the first term of 2016’s Nalusse Success Primary School Hot Lunch Program.
Jens connected The Real Uganda to Experiment e.V. Germany’s oldest cultural exchange organization in September 2015.
Jens visited us for a week in May 2016. Too short!!
And, this past weekend, good ol’ Jensi did it again. The 2nd annual Kick it for Uganda football and family day out was held on August 27, 2016. This year the event raised 3,200 Euros!!
There were 18 sponsored football teams, 400 visitors, and over 30 community volunteers helping out. An education centre was set up to tell visitors about the work we’re doing in Uganda. An auction, barbeque, and bake sale also helped to bring in the cash. For the kids, there was face painting and bouncy castles, and paddle pools to help keep them cool. It was 35C!! I guess Germans love the heat?!
I really couldn’t be more appreciative of all the work that’s gone into organizing this event AGAIN. I’m also very happy to hear that so many people came to learn about Uganda. Let’s give a shout out to Jens for volunteering, becoming a part of our family, and helping us to succeed. Well done, my friend. Can’t wait to see you in Uganda sometime soon!
Oh yeah, and the funds couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Our portion will go to pay the third term 2016 Nalusse Success Primary School Hot Lunch Program. 120 kids and 9 teachers will have a hot lunch every school day, from mid-September to mid-December. Any funds left over will go toward a new program we’re working with in Lugazi, Lugacraft. They work with women and out of school youth in art, dance, drama, and craft. The Real Uganda will sponsor art supplies needed to train Lugacraft youth.
Watch this space for reports and photos about both initiatives. If you’d like to support either of them, please click here. Even $20 helps out.
If you’d like to join the club of former volunteers, you have to commit first! Check out our website. If you like what you read, fill in the online application form. We want volunteers wishing to immerse themselves in our lifestyle: give a little and take a little. And become family.
What an inspiring story! Jens sounds like a real life hero!
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Jens is a real interesting dude to spend time with. We are lucky to know him. He actually funded his first trip to Uganda by winning a German game show, similar to Jeopardy! He spent 2 months with us and no one has been the same since.
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Nothing has been the same in my life, too. Everyone touched me in a very special way! There are many beautiful and intensive pieces of Uganda in my heart. I will visit those unique and powerful places in and around Mukono, Lugazi, Kkoba, Bulyantete or Mayindo as often as possible. This will be a everlasting relation. A strong friendship doesn’t need daily conversation; doesn’t always need togetherness, As long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends will never part.
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Thanks for all you’ve done for us and for this wonderful message Jens.
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