Danielle

I should confess that I have many things I love: devouring a dish of vanilla frozen yogurt with Reeses, running in October as the leaves change, and singing in my shower where “no one can hear me.” At my present age, I realize these things I previously stated are merely likes and dislikes. Never have I understood what it means to be in love, to have one sincere passion. I can directly say my passion lies in the beautiful people of a little village named Pallisa, Uganda.
I went to Uganda in August 2007 for the first time through International Young Life. I spent time with African children, teenagers, and adults, and learned more in 3 short weeks than in over 20 years. Most importantly, I learned what it means to have hope. With thirty college students I had never met before, we managed to put on a summer camp for over 250 Ugandan high schoolers. From cleaning dishes, preparing food, playing music, cleaning up, creating relay races, to putting on club, we witnessed over 250 Ugandan adolescents have the best week of their life. The camp, even though it was amazing, was a short term sense of happiness. It was at that moment in time I knew I wanted to be involved with Pallisa for longer than a three week service trip.
It has been extremely difficult to return and directly go back to my routine. College. Class. Work. Study. Volunteer. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. Ever since I returned, I have had Africa on my heart. In the fall of 2007, I immediately decided to organize and lead a service trip to return to Uganda for July/August 2008. Twenty-two of my dear friends from neighboring universities met us over in Uganda and experienced Africa for the first time! This team of volunteers built two wells and volunteered in The Agule Community Health Centre.
This is where the amazing Anneka enters my life!!! Anneka and I ventured to Pallisa three weeks prior to my group’s arrival for an extended stay. I firmly believe our hearts mirror each other’s love for Uganda. Although the entire time was a learning process, the women and children were the ones who truly captured our heart. There is no way of looking into their eyes without the desire to improve their lives. There is no way of going to Pallisa and not feeling overwhelmed by compassion. If you do not feel it, you are not human. I feel convicted for change. I am uncomfortable with the way I live because ironically, it is so comfortable.
Anneka and I dream big dreams for Africa, and our vision is to build and support The Agule Community Health Centre. Please dream big with us!