For those of you who haven't heard...
After 2 years since my last trip, I'm finally going back to Uganda!
The flight has been booked, arrangements have been made, and I am gearing up to leave the U.S. with my sister on July 11th. Praise Jesus!
This time in Uganda, I get to be involved with something very near and dear to my heart which I know will be a wonderful learning experience. I will be volunteering/living at the Komo Centre for Understanding Autism located in Entebbe, Uganda for a month. This center is very unique in Uganda which, (those of you who follow my blog already know) has very limited options and opportunities in the way of Special Education. The Komo Centre has an integrated classroom of regular ed and special ed students combined which is practically unheard of in that country. In addition to education, this center offers counseling and support to families of children with autism and is also actively advocating and raising awareness of autism in the community. Their mission is awesome and is just what the country of Uganda needs to change the popular misconceptions about people with disabilities.
I will be flying to Entebbe with my sister and then we will part ways for the month as she goes to Mbale and I stay at the center as an assistant teacher. I could not be more excited! I really have no idea what exactly lies in store for me, but I know it will be a great experience. I want to be permanently involved with furthering special education in Africa after I graduate, and this is the best baby step I could come up with to get started. The opportunity to live and work at a special needs school in country is something I have been praying for for months and am so blessed to finally have.
So, now that I am officially set to go, all of the details start to become more important. As I look through pictures of the beautiful students I get to meet in 2 months, I have to think about what I'm going to wear, what I need to bring, what vaccinations and medicine I need, and how to pay for the trip.
Please be in prayer for me and my sister through this part of the process. If you would like to support either of us financially, message me on facebook or post your email address below. Also, I would absolutely love to have letters from friends, family, or anyone to read while I am alone over there. If you send me a letter now I will keep it and wait to read it until I am in Uganda. Thank you so much for reading and for all of the encouragement I have already received from so many of you. I really cannot describe all of the feelings I have or how incredibly thankful I am that this is all happening!
Have a wonderful beginning to your summer!
Natalie
If you want to check out the Komo Centre for Understanding Autism and learn more about it you can see their website here:
http://www.komolearningcentres.org/initiatives/komo-centre-understanding-autism
or look up their page on facebook
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