Itinerary Complete

After countless emails back and forth with Uganda, our itinerary is finalized.  With teaching in over four school and several days working with the rangers and rhinos at Ziwa, our work will be diverse and educational for us as well.  Our knowledge of Africa will expand each day we work with the people of Uganda and visit their national parks.  

Interested??  Here is our plan...

3/5/2014  Depart from NYC

3/6/2014  On our way...via Istanbul, Turkey & Kigale, Riwanda

3/7/2014  Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda.  Travel to Kampala. Check into Red Chilli Kampala Hideaway.  

3/8/2014  Drive to Kisoro.  Stay at the Golden Monkey Guesthouse.

3/9/2014  Visit the Women's Center and UCONN Clinic in Kisoro.  Meet with UCONN doctors.

3/10/2014  Volunteer teaching computers at schools in in Kisoro & visit the School Management of Katarara Primary School and Chahi Secondary School with Pius Bigirimana, Ugandan Minister of Gender.

3/11/2014  Volunteer teaching computers at schools in in Kisoro & visit the School Management of Katarara Primary School and Chahi Secondary School with Pius Bigirimana, Ugandan Minister of Gender.

3/12/2014  Travel Day to Murchison Falls National Park National. Short game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park.  Stop overnight outside Queen Elizabeth National Park.

3/13/2014  Complete trip to Murchison Falls. Check into Budongo Eco Lodge.  Afternoon chimpanzee trekking and rainforest hike with species survey.

3/14/2014  Morning game drive in Murchison with a comparative study of habitats.  Lunch at Red Chilli's Hideaway.  Afternoon cruise on Nile River and hike to Murchison Falls.  Overnight at Budongo Eco Lodge.

3/15/2014  Check out of Budongo Eco Lodge and drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.  Orientation and rhino trekking.

3/16/2014  Volunteering at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary:  monitor rhino, behavioral observation, trail maintenance, fence patrol.  Teach at the Ziwa School for Children.

3/17/2014  Volunteering at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary   monitor rhino, behavioral observation, trail maintenance, fence patrol.   Teach at the Ziwa School for Children.

3/18/2014  Volunteering at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary   monitor rhino, behavioral observation, trail maintenance, fence patrol.  Teach at the a local rural school.  

3/19/2014  Return to Red Chilli Kampala Hideaway. 

3/20/2014  ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:  Visit International School of Uganda;  Kids of Africa orphanage & school;  Kampala City Tour.

3/21/2014  Depart Entebbe flight. Arrive in NYC & Drive to Watkinson!!

Prepping for the Trip

While service is a main component of our trip, LEARNING is embedded in everything we will do from teaching to game drives and hiking in the national parks to exploring both city and rural life.  Part of our learning has already begun.  Here is a sample of some of the ways we are getting up to speed on life in Uganda and Africa as a whole.

Uganda is Different:  Dr. Aavatsmark handed out this chapter, Africa is Different: Uganda, from the book Africa: Altered States Ordinary Miracles for us to read.  Purchase the whole book or read select pages .

Dr. Avatsmark reading about Africa to the Ugandan Travelers @WatkinsonSchool https://t.co/uRlOePhxtu
— Ms OB's Classroom (@Solarium1101) January 29, 2014

Africa is Poor & 5 Other Myths:  Dr. Myers selected this TEDx Talk by Simon Moss, the current Managing Programs Director for The Global Poverty Project. This video asks us to open our minds and be prepared to ask the "right" questions to the people of Uganda when considering how we can help empower people to further empower themselves, their families, and their country.

What's Wrong with Volunteer Travel:  In November, Dr. O'Brien attended a global educator workshop with Where There Be Dragons in Colorado where she worked with Daniella Papi.  Her work surfaces the rewards and problems with volunteering and travel.  Her thoughts are provocative and challenge many assumptions about service learning.  This TEDx Talk by Daniella helps us head to Uganda with realistic, productive goals.