Hi there! I’m Bethany, a master’s student at Washington University in St. Louis studying Social Work. I’m a practicum student with One Village at a Time (OVAAT) and I had the privilege to go to Naigobya village for a couple of weeks this year. My time in Naigobya was simultaneously one of the most difficult and fulfilling journeys that I have been on to date. Working closely with community members to advance sustainable development goals in Naigobya has been an incredible experience.

I was raised in the farmland of Upstate New York, so I’m no stranger to getting my hands dirty and doing hard work. I have been to Africa before (although never Uganda), so I knew a little bit what to expect.

Despite my months of preparation, I was not ready for the reality of what it was to live in Naigobya. I’m quite an introvert, so I tend to stick to myself and be quite independent. However, that was almost impossible in Naigobya. Everyone was so friendly and wanted to get to know me even though I was only there for a short time. I had to navigate my discomfort and put myself out there a lot more than I was used to.

Everywhere that I went, people were welcoming, kind, and generous, even if they did not have a lot to give. I spent most of my time at the health center, primary school, and secondary school in Naigobya, working closely with health professionals, teachers, and students. Everywhere I went, I was treated with the utmost respect and care. My favorite part of Ugandan culture is the courtesy that strangers are always met with. Every time I arrived somewhere, without fail, someone would offer me a chair to sit on.

Although it was difficult to get used to the constant music/radio noise and the lack of privacy, Naigobya village has so much to offer to people. With a remote village like this, it is difficult to connect to cities outside of the direct county. However, there are many people who are from Naigobya who live in Jinja, Kampala, and even in the United States. Connecting to new people was the highlight of my time in Naigobya, and I’m so grateful for everyone who made my experience memorable. Bringing awareness of Naigobya and working to find ways to sustainably develop this community is part of my work with OVAAT.

I’m working with OVAAT to bridge the current gaps in the education and healthcare sectors in Naigobya village. Through community interventions and long term connections with both individuals and organizations, OVAAT aims to create a space where Naigobya can learn and grow together. Being a part of this organization and working towards this development has been eye-opening and very rewarding. I hope to create the space to help community members grow and build new services for their communities.