At the equator in Uganda, Vernoy Paolini, back row, left, and others including Sylvia in the middle.
Find out more
www.sylviaschildren.org
See Vernoy Paolini’s blog about her trip:
http://uganda2012-vernoy.blogspot.com/
See Vernoy Paolini’s blog about her trip:
http://uganda2012-vernoy.blogspot.com/
VERNON — Vernoy Paolini’s recent trip to Uganda was an experience she described as “life-changing...soul-changing, something that can’t help but to (make you) re-evaluate the things that you have and the way that you conduct yourself.”
Paolini, a recently retired Vernon Township school teacher, departed on June 14 for a two-week volunteer trip with the non-profit organization Sylvia’s Children to the village of Mbiriizi in Uganda.
During her 37-year teaching career, Paolini said she was always involved in community service and tried to present her students with opportunities to make a difference. Once she retired, she jumped at the chance to do something more.
“I kind of felt like, it’s my turn to give back, and now I can,” she said.
Paolini contacted Allen and soon made arrangements to volunteer on a trip to the village.Paolini first discovered Sylvia's Children two years ago after reading an article about founder Sylvia Allen, whom she describes as “relentless, persistent and smart as a whip...(the community) absolutely adores and respects her.”
In Uganda
Once in Uganda, Paolini was faced with the stark differences between the life she was familiar with and what life is like in a third-world country. She kept a blog, which others can read.
Once in Uganda, Paolini was faced with the stark differences between the life she was familiar with and what life is like in a third-world country. She kept a blog, which others can read.
“Life is so tenuous and so unpredictable (in Mbiriizi). The average age is 15. The life expectancy is 51. They have a lot of children. Sixty-three percent of the country is illiterate...and so when you’re going through the village you see hundreds of children that are not in school and it’s because they don’t have the money, they don't have the priorities, they don’t have the energy to do that because they’re so busy collecting water. They’re busy trying to survive.”
With an average salary in Mbiriizi of about $2 a day, she realized that the dollar value of things she takes for granted could go very far in Uganda. “With the value of the things I brought with me — a cell phone, laptop, iPad, camera — I could have supported four or five families for an entire year,” she said.
But her role as a Sylvia's Children volunteer was to help the community by providing basic necessities and an environment where children are “safe, secure, encouraged and taught to be good people and good citizens.” The school itself houses 240 orphans, but serves approximately 800 students between the ages of 2 and 14, who travel anywhere between one-quarter and five miles from the village.
The organization also helps villagers to raise chickens, learn how to sew and assists with other life skills. “Everything they do is utilitarian,” Paolini said.
Allen also supports any child willing to continue to high school, a $10 per year per student expense that most families in the village cannot afford. Some students have even successfully completed high school and plan to attend college, an accomplishment Paolini calls “mind-boggling.”
Helping in any way she could
While in Uganda, Paolini said she assisted any way she could. Some of her responsibilities included repairing school uniforms — often one of two outfits a child owns — updating medical files, taking photographs of every student for the school’s record, taking children to the doctor and making visits to the village.
While in Uganda, Paolini said she assisted any way she could. Some of her responsibilities included repairing school uniforms — often one of two outfits a child owns — updating medical files, taking photographs of every student for the school’s record, taking children to the doctor and making visits to the village.
Because birth records did not exist for the children in the village, a large birthday celebration was held for all 1,100 students. A lunch of rice and beans was served and children played with confetti poppers. Each child was served a tablespoon-sized piece of cake — a fact that disturbed Paolini’s young grandchildren.
“But that’s not a lot,” said Paolini’s 6-year-old grandson, Liam, when she told him about the party.
“No it’s not, but they were happy to have it,” she told him.
Reflecting on privilege
“I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of it and that I was able to give back on some level. And when you look at what you have and the little that you can do — you can do a little for them, and a little for their country but it still makes a huge difference. (Sylvia’s) hoping for the ripple effect. That this will carry on and that once this village gets established she can take this model to another one and do it again,” said Paolini. “I would go back again. I can’t tell you when, but I will go back.”
“I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of it and that I was able to give back on some level. And when you look at what you have and the little that you can do — you can do a little for them, and a little for their country but it still makes a huge difference. (Sylvia’s) hoping for the ripple effect. That this will carry on and that once this village gets established she can take this model to another one and do it again,” said Paolini. “I would go back again. I can’t tell you when, but I will go back.”
What's next
Sylvia’s Children has started building a clinic in the village and is planning a village clean-up for the 10-year anniversary of the organization next year. On their last trip, the group brought more than 500 pounds of supplies with them: medical equipment, underwear, toothbrushes and toothpaste — but the community is still in need.
Sylvia’s Children has started building a clinic in the village and is planning a village clean-up for the 10-year anniversary of the organization next year. On their last trip, the group brought more than 500 pounds of supplies with them: medical equipment, underwear, toothbrushes and toothpaste — but the community is still in need.