Natasha Mellor and Carl Mace are holding a fund-raising raffle at the Engine Room's Halloween Party for their trip to Uganda.

Couple are real bricks with mission to help village in Uganda

Friday, October 23, 2009, 08:00

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A COUPLE are going to Uganda to teach and help improve water supplies for villagers.

Natasha Mellor and Carl Mace, both aged 19, will be travelling to Ruhanga on November 4 to spend seven weeks in the village.

As a qualified bricklayer, who used to work for Amos Developments, Carl will extend an existing well with the help of villagers as well as pass on his skills of the trade to residents.

Natasha will be teaching English in the village school.

The pair are no strangers to travelling, having spent a gap year in Australia last summer where they worked in bars.

The trip to Uganda has been organised in conjunction with the Ruhanga Community Development Network, a community-based organisation which is registered with the Ntungamo District Government Office and was formed in 2007 by members of three villages in Ruhanga Parish, South-West Uganda.

Natasha said: “We went to South East Asia on the way back from Australia and spent six weeks in Cambodia.

“We spent a day in an orphanage and it was quite emotional.”

Carl said: “It was inspiring what we saw and I just wanted to stay at that orphanage to help the children.”

Both Leek born-and-bred and former Westwood College students, the couple have been back in the Moorlands since the end of August.

Natasha is working behind the bar at The Engine Room while Carl is working in telesales in Hanley.

Natasha said: “Family and friends are being supportive of our trip to Uganda.

“I am looking forward to helping people.

“The teaching experience will be great as I am thinking about becoming a teacher.”

Natasha and Carl, who live in Orchid Court in Leek, are self-funding their trip to Uganda but are also fund-raising for cash to be used for the building materials for the well.

As well as a sponsored pub-crawl from Endon to Leek on Friday evening, the pair are hosting a raffle at the Engine Room’s Halloween Party on Saturday, October 31.

Local businesses – including Over The Rainbow, The Retreat, Biba and The Naz – have chipped-in with raffle prizes.

Once their forthcoming trip to Uganda is over, the pair are already planning where to go next.

Carl said: “We want to go to South Africa next year, we would love to be able to go all over the world.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor Natasha and Carl can call the couple on 07503 267155.

They are fund-raising  some extra money for us and they have a fantastic website  that you may wish to look at   http://www.kateandbeninafrica.com/?p=42

Kate and Ben’s  experiences at Uganda Lodge

For a week in mid September, we spent time at Uganda Lodge through the Ruhanga Community Development Project. This, as many of you know who contributed to our fundraising efforts, was the primary reason for our visit to Uganda. We were devastated that our time here was cut short, mostly by the delay in our purchasing the car in Kenya and a dedication to meeting others on a time frame later in the trip, but we were happy to have been able to make it to the Lodge at all this month. For those of you who don’t know, we stumbled upon this project via Lonely Planet’s Thorntree forum and Ann Macarthy, who is the UK Ambassador and the lifeblood of this project, got in contact with us to give us more information on Uganda Lodge. We found out that it was in it’s infancy, and that she fundraises in the UK to develop the project further each time she comes to Uganda. Uganda Lodge is owned by a man by the name of Denis Kasiba Aheirwe, and as a local in the area, also identified the need for a development project for his local community. Ann and Denis teamed up and the Community Project was born- the community development art and crafts centre and computer room having recently been finished. You can read more on this project on our ‘Volunteering’ page.

Uganda Lodge itself operates as a bar and meeting place for locals, and accommodation place for visitors. We had heard mention of other events like video nights and functions being held in buildings onsite (a big open area where we did our morning yoga!), but were given the impression that these haven’t happened for a while – though they hope to get them organised more regularly. We stayed in one of the bungalows – of which there are four on the property and it was perfectly lovely. It was a big room, with a double bed and a big double mosquito net that protected us from the many insects in the area (drawn by the light – not many places in the area have electricity), and a small area off to the side that was set up as a shower. Unfortunately no toilet down that end of the property yet, but a perfectly good long drop further up towards the road. As funds permit, Denis is in the process of constructing a toilet right next to our set of two bungalows at the lower end of the property. People also camp – we had one group come through while we were there: Stuart, Fiver and Merryl, and their perfectly fantastic Landrover Defender on an overlander trip from South Africa to Germany. We have since run into them again, all because of our meeting at Uganda Lodge.

The setting of Uganda Lodge is fantastic – most of the staff are wonderful, and attend to your every need with a smile amidst the stunning rolling hills of the area. Denis took us both on a hill climb not long into our stay, and it truly demonstrated how amazingly beautiful Ruhunga is. There isn’t much else in the area for potential visitors, but it is on Kabale Road, on the way to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the mountain gorillas and makes for a good rest stop on the way.

The Lodge has a bit of an identity issue at the moment – it’s at the time when it’s defining where it wants to go – of course there is the bar and support for locals, but the community centre and schools are also deemed important and there are not enough resources to finish each of them around the same time. Some parts of the Lodge look a little tired, and they are hoping to fix a huge hole in the ground that sat directly outside our banda (and is currently being used as a rubbish bin) but the area has ENORMOUS potential and with development in each of these areas, by staying here you’ll be supporting local community projects and local business. Definitely watch this space.

When we first arrived, we were unsure as to where we could donate our skills. We knew of the community centre, and we knew of the nursery school that Denis had built on his land to help neighbouring family’s children attend school from an earlier age than they had been previously. What we didn’t realise was that Denis was also keen and in the process of building the next stage of schooling –the first two years of primary school in a P1 classroom, also on his land. To this, you can also add a project of building new toilets for the nursery school (also to be utilized by the primary school children on completion). Now the way it is in Uganda, and many other African countries we’ve come across, is that you buy materials for building when you can afford them, and labour you pay whenever you have the materials AND the money to pay for labourers/engineers services. When we arrived at Uganda Lodge, we found that Denis had engineers working on the building, but had run out of materials. Given so many of you voiced your hope for the money you donated to go towards education, we thought the primary school building was the perfect opportunity for us to help with this very thing. Over $AU1000 was spent on hard stone, bags and bags of concrete, timber, thousands of bricks, trailer loads of sand and reinforced steel rods to reinforce windows. These materials will now put the primary school room close to completion when the labour is available and there are the funds to help pay for the engineers. But we’ve donated solid materials and these will be used to help Ruhunga and the local children in the area develop their education.

Initially our focus was to be on the community centre, but we found the education of children at the critical ages of 4 and 5 to be of higher importance at the time. Having said that, we still helped out with the centre. Ben in particular, put his IT skills to good use and re-programmed and de-bugged all of the donated computers, and instructed the newly appointed computer trainer on some of the programs he intends to teach. To that, we also printed signs to go in each of the bungalows advertising the internet access at very reasonable rates to both guests and volunteers. Although these were more practical, we found that we had come at a time when we could not do much more than what we did in the time we had – although it was a lot of fun helping Denis source and purchase the building materials from local stores and markets. The community centre is ongoing, and will always be able to use a hand if you want to volunteer in Africa, and particularly Uganda. There will be the computer room, a sewing centre to help teach local women tailoring (still in the pipeline), and of course, the Ruhunga Community Development Nursery School and soon to be Primary School as well.

We promise to add more photos as we receive them from Denis and/or Ann on the progress of the primary school. The photos attached are of the site and some of the progress already made with the materials we purchased on behalf of all who donated money. We hope you’re happy with the decisions we made – the children were beautiful and deserve every chance of education in the world. Thanks to you, they’re one step closer to getting it!

April 2009 – Two Swedish Students

Uganda lodge is surrounded by a marvellous environment of impressive green hills, bananas and Eucalyptus trees. The Ugandan people are very nice and friendly and here at the lodge it feels like you are surrounded by friends and family.

This is a perfect place to stay if you want to get to know the real Africa and be a part of the everyday lives of the Ugandan people. There are many opportunities for volunteering, such as teaching English at the nursery school or helping out in the community.

The location is also perfect since it is in the middle of all the big attractions of Uganda, such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Lake Mburu where you can spot all the big animals, like Elephants, Gorillas and Hippos.

We stayed here for about two month and we could not have had a better experience of Uganda and if we are ever going to visit it again we would definitely come back and we highly recommend it to everyone who wants to have a genuine experience of Africa.

// Johanna and Camilla (University students from Sweden)

December 2008    -  English Senior Citizen

I am a single mum of four girls and now I am in my sixties. I decided it was time to do something different in my life., and went out to Uganda Lodge for six weeks, helping in the nearby schools and around the Lodge itself.

Beautiful scenery, mountains, walks, fresh air, mild climate, friendly people, shops, hospital, three schools , lovely church, comfortable accommodation at the Lodge, banana, pineapple, coffee plantation, a chance to experience real Africa.

I recommend  that everyone should have such an experience at least once in their lives.  You will not regret it.

Nina Moore  – Oxford, England

November 2008      Notes from Richard.

In 2008 I was looking for something different, something away from the usual, and somewhere where I could make a difference. I looked to Africa.

Some friends of mine put me in touch with Ann who sold me the adventure to the Uganda Lodge and so began my 2 month stay deep in the middle of Uganda. The Lodge itself is situated on the main road through Uganda in a lush green valley.

The Lodge was larger than I imagined it to be and my Banda, although needing some minor maintenance was perfectly adequate and clean. I had three good meals a day and the local people really took to us, playing pool, having a drink and welcoming me in. I learnt Ranyankole, the local Ugandan dialect as well as being toured around the surrounding plantations and farm land. I was even invited along to watch the local boys football team who I later sponsored with donated money providing them with a kit, Ball and and sports bag. I was even involved in a few games, something which drew a crowd. Go Mazungo….go!!!!

With the funds my family had raised I was able to provide 3 portable DVD players to the local schools as well as educational DVDs supplied by Thare Machi Education, a UK based charity. There was also work done on the nursery and when Sam and Lucy, brother and sister travelling to Kilimanjara arrived we gave the Lodge a much needed identity on the main gate.

What every your reason for going to the lodge, its being there that counts. If your volunteering, listen to what they want and need. Give them your time. If your travelling through on a tour of the area with a local, its fantastic and the views from the east and west range are stunning.
But what ever you do, stay for a while, the people are incredible. Enjoy the Lodge and do what you can for the community.

Richard   – UK

September 2009 Kate & Ben from Tasmania

Next up on our African Overland journey came our volunteering at Uganda Lodge- the main project we’d fundraised for before we left Hobart. Although we were only able to stay with Denis and his family at Uganda Lodge  for one week helping out in Ruhanga, we had a great time and we think that our efforts were well spent. We met up with Denis in Kampala and the three of us drove our way down to the lodge, on the way picking up some tilapia fish for supper  and strapping it to the front of Helga  (our 4×4) !

Upon arriving at the lodge we met Betty, little Jordan, and the rest of the staff who were amazing and looked after us for the entirety of our stay. The development/community centre is looking good. The computer room is setup, the internet is on, and the area is ready to begin teaching students and locals all about computers. Ben & I  both created laminated printouts that explain costs for locals, visitors, and volunteers to use the internet per minute and these are being displayed in both the bandas and the community centre. We also showed Betty and the new computer teacher how to account for the internet rental money and show that it can generate income to be self sustainable.

After a few discussions with Denis we decided to assist him with the building and development of the P1 classroom when we heard that it was to house the grade one students at the start of next year once they graduate from the nursery school. A lot of this was to do with the fact that many of the people that had donated had specified education and schooling as a preferred focus of their money, and we saw it as a perfect way to do that. So we bought materials lots of concrete, bricks, timber, steel reinforcement, hard stone and sand, amongst others. A lot of that went towards the primary school, and I think some of the steel rods and concrete went to the toilet.

As for Uganda Lodge itself. We had a great time in the Banda we were in (down the bottom). It didn’t matter that the toilet hadn’t been finished, and we had to walk to the other ones  but hopefully this will soon be done for other visitors that follow us.

Arrival in Uganda A few visitors arrive in Uganda arrive by bus from Nairobi, after a journey lasting anything from 10 – 20 hours, depending on how many breakdowns they have on the way, or hold-ups from accidents blocking the road!  They will be dropped off near the city centre, usually at the individual bus company’s offices.

 Most of our volunteers and tourists fly into Entebbe Airport (EBB) and its preferable to book for either Denis  or another friend of  Uganda Lodge to meet you.  They will be waiting for you outside the terminal and take you into Kampala – a journey that takes approx one hour. It is not very easy to find your own way into the city centre.

 If your flight arrives early in the day then we can take you straight to find the correct bus and ensure that you will be dropped outside the gates of Uganda Lodge. If the flight arrives after lunch its advisable to stay in a hotel in the city centre overnight and we can book you into a clean cheap one that is centrally located.

 Don’t forget to have ready US $50 for the visa when you arrive at the airport. If you wish, we can provide someone to travel on the bus with you for £20 extra per journey (60,000 Ugx)

 For visitors arriving before lunch and going straight to the project:

 One person: £40 covers airport pick-up, transfer to bus station in Kampala City via a foreign exchange bureaux and bus fare to the project

 Two people: £55 covers airport pick-up from Entebbe transfer to bus station via a foreign exchange bureaux, and bus fare to project for two people

  For visitors arriving after lunch time and staying overnight in Kampala

 One person:  £55 covers airport pick-up from Entebbe airport and transfer to Kampala city centre, visit a foreign exchange bureaux, overnight stay in guest-house, pick-up and transfer to bus station and bus fare to the project 

 Two people: £75 covers airport pick-up from Entebbe airport and journey to Kampala city centre via a foreign exchange bureaux, overnight stay in hotel, pick-up and transfer to bus station and bus fare to project.

 If your budget runs to it, you could book a car and driver to take you right down to Ruhanga but this will be about £220 in total if you arrive on a morning flight, or £200 from a city hotel.  (Car Hire is expensive all over Africa, and this has to cover the return journey for the driver – including the fuel)

 INFO FOR THOSE CHOOSING NOT TO HAVE ASSISTANCE:

 From the airport – get a taxi to Entebbe Town and then a shuttle bus to Kampala City. Next find a special hire (private) taxi or a Boda-Boda (motorcycle taxi) who will – after some bargaining – take you to find a bus going to Rukingiri or Kabale (via Ntungamo) . They go from several different places in the city; you will need to check and double check with man actually selling tickets – (not with a tout) – that that bus does indeed take that route.

 About 4 hours or so after leaving the bus park you will reach Mbarara town, and then Uganda Lodge is about 50 kms further on (about another hour or so) You will begin to see hills each side of the road, the Lodge is on the left hand side of the road about three three kms after Itojo Hospital and just before Ruhanga Adventist School.  Ntungamo is another 10 kms further on. Most regular drivers now know it when requested to stop outside.

Who Can Volunteer?

Volunteering in Africa is for any age group, it is not something reserved exclusively for ‘Gap Year’ students.
Its always a good idea to talk  with someone who has actually visited the project,  so you can ask questions and get a feel for whether or not the project is something you would like to be involved in.
At Uganda Lodge volunteering is suitable for whole families,  motivated and self-reliant teenagers, and also seniors who are fairly mobile – there are no steps but the ground can be  uneven.

Why Volunteer?

Have you thought about the benefits you will get from volunteering? If you consider the many benefits you will receive, you will be asking yourself why you aren’t more involved with helping a cause. You will get more out of your volunteer experience than you put into it.  Dont hesitate to identify and donate some of your time to a worthy volunteer opportunity. You will be glad you did. Consider some of these reasons  to donate your time and efforts:

1. To make new friends
2. To build personal and professional contacts
3. To build your self-esteem and self-confidence    
4. To develop new job skills
5. To make a difference in the world
6. To increase personal satisfaction
7. To add experience to your resume
8. To develop people
9. To develop communication skills
10. To do something as a family
11. To explore career possibilities
12. To feel needed and appreciated
13. To share your skills with others
14. To be challenged
15. To do something different
16. To earn academic credit
17. To improve your health
18. To have fun!

What can I do?

Don’t think you have to have a degree or some other qualifications or a trade skill on your CV . Anyone with a western education can offer help simply by sharing their experiences of life and general knowledge with these village people.

Skills, Trades and  Qualifications.

What will it Cost me to Volunteer?

For your food and accommodation whilst staying at Uganda Lodge we charge 210,000 Ugx per week, approx £75. This can be negotiable if you stay for a long period and/or are sharing a room.  However please bear in mind that ALL profits stay within the project and are helping to upgrade facilities for both villagers and future guests.

We currently do not charge any marketing or registration fees, all the background work is done for free. However we do ask for at least two weeks to be paid as a deposit to prevent the staff and community in general being disappointed.

You are also welcome to bring some extra money with you – perhaps from a fund-raising event  -   that with some consultationyou can spend on a project  of your own choice  as you see a need.

Why Should I pay to Volunteer?

A good question, please let me explain. In Uganda, as in most developing nations, there are many highly qualified young people who are coming out of universities with degrees but who still cannot find jobs…they simply are not out there.

If a project has enough money to pay a salary, or indeed even support a person by providing transport, food and accommodation then the leaders of this project should be spending the money on the nationals from the country itself and not supporting  overseas visitors.

This is why I firmly believe that any reputable NGO or Charity or Project should not be offering free placements.  I also believe that volunteers should not be asked to pay out for large placement or management fees, and should ensure that anything over the basic costs of their stay should actually benefit the community they are working in.

Latest News

Camilla and Joanna, two Swedish friends arrived in Uganda on 8th April for six weeks, to do research amongst the local villagers for a university project.  They were met by Denis at the airport and all three went down to Uganda Lodge on the bus.

June 2009

Ann  is returning  to Uganda Lodge for a month to try and oversee the opening of the Craft-Centre/Workshop at Uganda Lodge

Even if you have no teaching skills or other qualifications, but simply have a western education, then you can do such a lot to help both children and adults alike in Africa. There are five schools within walking distance of the Lodge with pupils aged from 2-20 and they all are wanting practice with speaking English and thus get better grades in their exams.

The lessons in the two senior schools are supposed to be wholly in English but often teachers find they have to keep translating. In the primary schools – some of the teachers themselves do not speak good English.

I met the child in this video when he was staying in Ruhanga during the holidays and he spoke more English than the 20 or so local ones all put together

Here is  Moses, a schoolboy from another town, who has benefited from having volunteers at his school.