Werner, an electrical engineer, and I, a trained nurse, were very excited and full of anticipation when we arrived. We received a very warm welcome from Bridget, the good soul of Nateete, and were shown around everywhere on the very same day.

On Monday things started immediately. With the beginning of the school term my weekly schedule worked well and I always knew where I would be assigned.
For Werner it was a bit more bumpy at first. He was initially sent wherever his electrical expertise was needed — and that was everywhere!

Both of us first had to get used to the different living conditions: the climate, the unfamiliar food, finding our way around, the usual workflow, who was responsible for what, and last but not least the — for us unfamiliar — English pronunciation.

I alternated between the primary schools and kindergartens in Nateete and Kamusenene, worked in the sick bay with Nurse Robert, and also accompanied the social workers on outreach visits.
My main tasks involved hygiene measures, equipping first-aid kits, supporting and training staff in administering medication, promoting reading at school, and assisting teachers in school and kindergarten.

It was often very exhausting, both physically and mentally, but working together with the always friendly, warm-hearted and generous people made up for a lot.

Especially during outreach visits we saw a great deal of poverty: for example families living in mud huts with many children who did not even have a mattress to sleep on.
Thanks to some friends from Germany and Austria and their donations, 17 mattresses could be delivered to needy families in a spontaneous campaign.

Werner had very much been looking forward to teaching the young people and had already prepared thoroughly at home.
However, at first he encountered problems everywhere, some of them even dangerous: worn-out sockets, unsecured wiring, and makeshift cables patched together.
Work followed the principle: whoever shouted the loudest got the repair first.

So not only his professional expertise but also his organizational skills were required.
With prioritized to-do lists the work was now completed, and by early/mid-October he was finally able to begin teaching the students at the secondary school.

In addition, he trained two electrical apprentices who were to continue the work after his departure.
Using simple means and solar energy, Werner also built a hot-water system, which caused great amazement and curiosity among all the children and young people.

There was a lot to do. The work challenged us greatly, but it also gave us a lot of joy.
We also became aware how much better the children supported by ACFC are doing and what a blessing the ACFC schools are for all of Central Uganda.

We are glad that we decided to take part in this mission.
I think we will remember this time for a very long time, and we would be happy and hope that people will also remember us and our work and advice.

Above all, we remember the lovable, cheerful, and never unfriendly people — people who, despite all the poverty, are usually happy and joyful.
We have taken this memory of these content people and their way of life back with us into our life here in Europe, which is characterized by abundance.

After completing our work at ACFC, we also made a 32-day round trip through Uganda to get to know the country, its wildlife, and its people better. That too was a wonderful time!

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