The Beginning

Hello, I'm Alessandra, I come from Italy and I'll spend the next 6 mounth of my life in Uganda; I'm here from 4 weeks and with Mondo I work at Bridge Project. 

During this time, I've tried to understand how life flows here in Kampala, and honestly, I'm still trying to fully understand it. One thing I've understood: life here unfolds on the streets, between a local market and a school, a mechanic's shop (for repairing the boda, the most common means of transport) and a hair saloon that's open until late, a chicken rosted food stalls and a rolex food stalls. What is rolex? It is a chapati rolled with eggs and vegetables, rolled-eggs... ROLEX!   

Uganda was once called 'the pearl of Africa', and it's not hard to see why; just travel 30-40km from the city to enjoy the region's vast, lush nature, filled with national parks, lakes (such as Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake) and rivers (yes, the Nile River has its source in this region).

     

My volunteer work at the Kampala School for the Physically Handicap has just begun. I've had the opportunity to meet the teachers, the therapists (yes, there's an entire department dedicated to rehabilitation), and of course the children. But above all, I've seen firsthand how much love all the caregivers have for these children. I've had the opportunity to sit in the classrooms and help the teachers guide the children through their exercises, and I've also collaborated with the physiotherapists during therapy sessions, and I've seen the happiness in the children's eyes at the end of a well-executed exercise.

The school is like a large residence, they call it "boarding school", the children spend their week inside the structure and it seems like a big family, at lunchtime those who have no difficulty walking help their friends in wheelchairs to reach the dinner hall, no one is left behind. 

            

I will still have a lot of time to get to know and enjoy this place, to find my role in the school and carry on this project leaving something of mine and bringing something home from here, and I can't wait.

My Ugandan Beginning: Between Digital Horizons and Prehistoric Shadows

Hello everyone!

My name is Yasmin  I’m from Milano Italy, and I am writing these lines with a heart full of the vibrant energy that has surrounded me since February 10th—the day I touched down in Kampala. I am here to work with Mondo, an organization that truly believes in the power of digital transformation, and I must say that these first weeks have been an intense journey, moving through new landscapes and even newer perspectives.

Teaching the Future: My IT Lessons

One of the most rewarding aspects of my time here so far has been my work in the schools. Walking into a classroom and finding myself in front of young people so eager to learn is a pure shot of adrenaline. During our IT lessons, we aren't just studying how to manage data or browse the web safely; we are building bridges.

Seeing a student struggle with a digital tool and then, after a few attempts, master it with a proud smile, makes me realize how vital the Mondo Digital Competences Program truly is. Here, technology isn’t a luxury; it’s a key to solving everyday problems and dreaming of a solid professional career. Every lesson challenges me to be more creative and to ensure that no one is left behind.

A Meeting from the Past: The Shoebill

But Uganda isn’t just screens and keyboards. To truly understand where I am, I felt the need to immerse myself in its wildest side. Recently, I had an experience that I can only describe as surreal: encountering the Shoebill.

Gliding silently through the swamps, surrounded only by the sound of the water, and suddenly finding myself just a few meters away from this prehistoric-looking bird was breathtaking. It looks like a creature from another era—still, majestic, and slightly intimidating. It was a moment of profound reflection for me: while in the classroom we are racing toward a digital future, out here, time seems to have stood still for thousands of years. This contrast is exactly what makes my life here so special.

Looking Ahead

The warmth with which I’ve been welcomed since day one is something I will never forget. There is a spontaneous kindness in the eyes of the people in Kampala that made me feel at home much sooner than I expected.

These first weeks have been dedicated to listening and understanding the real needs of the communities we work with. Every meeting, every lesson, and every sunset confirms that choosing to come here with Mondo was the right decision. The road ahead is long, but my enthusiasm is through the roof!

Stay Turned for new adventures.....

Yasmin. :)