Visiting and Volunteering

Whether you are an existing supporter or a young person looking to experience life and make a contribution in a very different part of the world, there is a warm welcome waiting for you at the Revival Centre and in the village of Matugga. All visitors are regarded as part of the extended family of the Revival Team. Visitors see first hand how the support raised in the UK is used at the Revival Centre to improve lives and to appreciate first hand the challenges they face.

Being there in person is a huge encouragement to the children and staff at Revival and whatever your age or skills, there is always plenty you can do to be a blessing to them (see below a list of tasks undertaken on a recent trip). It is very much appreciated that visitors are often leaving comfortable lives and inconveniencing themselves to visit Matugga.

The experience for most who go is life changing. The thrill of a sponsor meeting their sponsored child cannot be put into words. Seeing visiting young people deep in conversation comparing notes about life with their peers in the Revival school and champions home, is wonderful. For adult and young visitors alike, the experience brings the realisation that there is much more to life than the pursuit of money, possessions, image and bowing to peer pressure. To have conversations and exchange notes and perspectives on life with people from such radically different backgrounds creates friendships and builds bridges of mutual respect, trust and understanding.

Uganda is a warm, beautiful and exciting country full of friendly welcoming people. Matugga is a vibrant market town and the Revival Centre lies at it's heart. It is great to become part of the Revival Team for a couple of weeks or more and be surrounded by hundreds of smiling and excitable children. To see how hardworking and gracious Ivan and his team are is humbling, seeing them persevering with their roles in the face of huge obstacles and challenges is inspiring and puts one's own struggles and grumbles about life and work into perspective.

Visiting makes one realise that when you see images of people and problems far away that you can actually get up and go and help them and let them know you care. For anyone who wants to feel better connected with the realities of the world, a visit to the Revival Centre in Matugga is a great place to start.

Listed below are some of the things the team did during their April 2009 two week visit:

-painted classrooms
-typed and printed examination papers
-arranged for a carpenter to make desks
-set up 3 computer rooms
-went to Kampala to buy electrical fittings, window glass,
  locks, sports equipment, etc
-attended an introduction service in Jinja
-interviewed all the champions
-ran a party for the champions
-organised and took part in a sports day
-held planning meetings with Ivan, Allen, Ruth and Jane
-visited the ladies projects and craft shop
-took part in church services
-visited needy families in their homes
-visited friends made on previous visits
-went to the theatre in Kampala to see a drama
-rode on motorbikes (boda-boda) and in taxis
-had an afternoon relaxing on the shores of Lake Victoria
-showed the excited children some films in the evenings
-were entertained at the 'Champions Review'
  (what talented children they are)
-allocated funds to priority needs (nursery block,
  examination fees, computer rooms etc)

  There was never a dull moment!