Ranjit's first weeks in Uganda

John Paul II Justice & Peace Centre is set up by a number of Missionary Congregations. It is the intention of the Centre to carry out work of training, research and advocacy in collaboration with the local church, individuals and groups interested in the integral development of all, especially the most vulnerable. The Centre is 5 minutes from my guest house, so each morning I walk to the Centre trying to avoid collision with the Boda Bodas (motorbikes which act as a form of public transport) & the other road users.

When I was preparing to come out to Uganda, I was a little concerned that as the Centre had such strong ties to a religious community, that community may be a little reserved with me – how would I fit in! Having been here a week, I can honestly say that I need not have wasted my time worrying about this. Right from the day I arrived the Fathers I have met at the guest house have been great. They could not have made me feel more welcome. Now, at the end of each day at the Centre I look forward to having supper with them and sharing events of the day.

The Fathers are doing God’s work all over Africa and despite seeing the devastating effect on humanity of war & poverty, they retain such a positive & motivational outlook, which is quite infectious. Now as I prepare to leave and move to another guest house (as I had only booked here for a week), I go with a ‘heavy heart’. 

My first week at the Centre has involved talking to the staff & finding out what is required and meeting with some of the priests that make up the Board of Governors. In such a short time I have been accepted as part of the family and when guests/visitors to the Centre learn that I am volunteering my services here, the gratitude is so genuinely & publically displayed.  A ‘tea’ was held in my honor, thanking me for agreeing to come to JPII Centre.

After an exhausting, but very rewarding week in the office I get invited to go with the 'Young Catholic Professionals of the Uganda' to do some charity work with the Missionaries of Charity . The mission cares for refugees, mentally ill, sick children, lepers, AIDs victims, the elderly and educate street children. The team helps with gardening, cleaning the dormitories, visiting with elderly and teaching in the school.

The Sisters running the mission were so appreciative of the help provided that we were all given medals of 'Mother Theresa' that have been blessed by placing them on her tomb in Calcutta and sent to Uganda. The Sisters were very interested to see amongst the charity workers because not many visitors know about the mission.

A new car has been delivered to the Centre and is in the process of being christened, quite an event here

I find that everyone is so happy & enthusiastic that I have come to help them, that a lot of time is spent talking about what has happened and where I can help. Trying to make notes & formulating a plan of how best to assist and focus on areas of sustainable skills at the same time, can be challenging. So I decide to introduce process mapping sessions.