USF student’s experience 

After a tiresome and long journey through four major airports and four-hour car drive, we finally reached our destination Papoli, a small community in Eastern Uganda. All our tiredness vanished as we saw the smiling and welcoming faces of the people here. After a night’s rest, the day began with introduction to the program manager of PACODEF and the community volunteers. It is then that we came to know that we would all be taking part in the “Immersion” exercise to help acquaint us with the village of Papoli. As part of this exercise, we were each assigned a community volunteer at whose house we would have to spend 2nights and 3 days. Honestly, I was terrified. I was unaware of their culture and norms.  So, what if I do something wrong and offend them without meaning too. Little did I know then that these 2 nights would completely change the way I think about the world.

I was assigned to Omuse John, very eagerly he accepted me as his daughter and took me, riding through various farms to his compound where his family awaited our arrival. I was very happily welcomed by Omuse’s daughter Scovia and wife. They were very happy and excited to have me in their house. All through 3 days Scovia took very good care of me. She showed me around, introduced me to her brothers and sister-in-law’s, we played with the kids, she taught me how to cook using firewood. Mr. Omuse took me around his farm, which I must say is very big and beautiful. He grows various types of rice, maize, sorghum, sweet-potato and G-nuts. The meal was delicious and was prepared by his daughter.                      

All in all I had a very good experience living with them. It gave me an insight to the hardships faced as well as the smile and strength with which they happily overcome them. It made me realize that a big, gentle and welcoming heart is all you need to be happy. I am very grateful to Mr. John and his family for taking such great care of me, treating me like his own daughter. Thank you, PACODEF for providing with such a great “Immersion” experience.

  • Priyashi Manani


Paricipating in processing cassava floure.                       Relaxing in mr.Omuse’s livingroom