URF Past Volunteers
Zach Williams, USA, Nov 09 - Dec 07, 2008
Zach is a 23-year-old from Seattle, Washington. After graduating from Seattle Pacific University this spring, he worked as an electrical engineer at an undersea research center in La Spezia, Italy. His interests include renewable energy, appropriate technology, and poverty relief. In 2007, he spent a month in Rwanda, testing a foot-powered energy source that brought electricity to the poor in rural areas.
Amanda Chung, USA, Nov 28 - Dec 28, 2008
 Amanda is 27 years old and a native of San Francisco. After graduating in 05' with a degree in Theater Arts she made her way down to LA in order to pursue her dream of acting. While wasting time as a professional server she decided to volunteer with a camp called Camp Laurel, which coordinates free camps for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. After returning from camp, Amanda realized her love for working with children and helping those in need. She decided to leave the acting world to pursue a career in social and non profit work. Amanda has worked as a Child Care Counselor and Recreation Coordinator for Rosemary Children's Services, as well as managed the School Based Team at Big Brothers Big Sisters of LA. Amanda currently works for Camp Laurel as the Director Of Volunteers. This will be Amanda's first trip to Africa and she is over the moon excited!!!
Caroline  Zaayer, USA, October 07 - Dec 19, 2008
Caroline is 30 years old from Omaha, Nebraska, USA. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and Spanish from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. She worked as a journalist at several publications, including covering the U.S. Congress and immigration issues in Washington, D.C. She previously volunteered as a teacher in Cofradia, Honduras and loved every minute of it. This is her first trip to Africa.
Jessica Poggi, USA, Oct 15 - Dec 15
 Jessie is 27 and just left a job managing a local Oakland restaurant after working in the food industry in the bay area for almost ten years. She graduated from Barnard College in English Literature in 2002. While in school she spent a semester abroad at The University of Legon, Ghana studying Ghanaian Literature. Ever since she left Ghana she has dreamed of returning to work or volunteer in Africa. She has worked with kids on and off for years as a private tutor, nanny, and public school volunteer. Currently she is leading the after school program for the kindergarten class at the Kensington public school. She lives in Berkeley, CA, her home town since she was five. She can't wait to come to Uganda.
Paula Cunningham, Canada, October 10 - Nov 10, 2008
My Name is Paula Cunningham, Im 22 years old I live in Lively Ont. Canada.
I recently graduated from Post Secondary were I studied Early Chilhood Education, and Plan to go back to School to get my degree in Social Work.
I have spent 7 months in Africa, and Uganda will be my first stop during my 10 month I will be in Africa this year. Iam currently working as an Early Childhood Educator in a Toddler program and LOVE it, but cant wait to see what the next 10months has in store for me.
Marissa Carra sco, Canada, Sept 03- 2009.
Marissa is a 25 year old teacher from Vancouver, BC, Canada. She completed her bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of British Columbia and after a year of traveling and working, she completed her degree in education, also at UBC. For the past 2 years, Marissa has been teaching science, physics and math at a high school in Vancouver. Marissa has given up her job to fulfill her goal to teach in Uganda. She is really looking forward to this new experience.
Daniel Str andlund, USA, Sept 02 - Oct, 2008 .
Before leaving to pursue volunteer work in Uganda, Daniel was a full-time youth minister to high school students at an Episcopal Church in Birmingham, AL. He enjoys playing frisbee and soccer, writing, reading, playing guitar and banjo, and generally being around people. He's looking forward to a change of pace in Uganda, to living and working in a new way, and is so grateful to everyone who has helped him make this experience abroad a reality, especially St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Mountain Brook, AL and Grace Episcopal Church in Cullman, AL.
Dan Hall, USA, Aug 29 - Sept 29, 2008
Dan has been a high school teacher, primarily in history/social studies in several places in MA, USA. He also has had two-year stints teaching in secondary schools in Zimbabwe (Mission school) and Zambia (Government school). He has coached teams in hockey, baseball and tennis. His most recent employment was as a case manager at a homeless shelter in Boston. Uganda will be a new learning experience, and he hopes to contribute wherever he can be useful.
Chris Blake, USA, Aug 29-Sept 29, ‘08
 Chris is a 62 year old therapist, teacher and musician from Duxbury, Massachusetts. He has volunteered extensively but never abroad. Though he still works on a part time basis, Chris is glad to have the time now to volunteer in Africa. “I hope I can make some small difference to the project.”
Ren ato Cardo, Spain, August 29 - September 27, 2008.
Renato is a 27-year-old English/Portuguese teacher currently living in Madrid, Spain. He was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil but spent several years in Chicago and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2003 with a B.S. in Communications-Journalism and B.A. in Acting-Theatre. He has volunteered with different NGOs over the past eight years and has developed a significant interest in volunteering. This is his second trip to Africa but his first trip to Uganda, and he is very much looking forward to this new and exciting journey. He loves traveling, meeting people from other countries, and learning more about their cultures, and he is eager to meet the people of Uganda. "I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is MY PRIVILEGE to do for it whatever I can - George Bernard Shaw."
Malgorza ta Switakowski, Poland, Aug 04 - Aug 25, 2008
Motgorzata is a teacher of geography and German. She works with 16-19 year-old youth. She likes traveling and organizing trips for her students. She coordinated several Polish-German youth exchanges as well as local projects. She's interested in art (mostly ceramics) and tailoring. She hopes the trip to Uganda to be the most exciting in her life.
Su Corcoran, UK, July 06 - Aug 06, 2008
 Su is from the UK and teaches in Prague.
Michael Switakowski, Poland, Aug 04 - Aug 26, 2008 
Michael is from Konskie (Poland) but he's currently studying math and computer science at Warsaw University. Besides, he's interested in photography. He worked on a photography project for local community. It is his first trip to Africa and he is keen to learn about the culture and people. He expects the visit to be an unforgettable experience.
Xavi (Javier) Balcells, Spain (July 13-Aug 04, 08)
Xavi Balcells is from Barcelona, Spain. He’s 21 years old and he is studing Biology at the University of Barcelona. This will be his fourth time in Africa, and he is so excited to be able to volunteer there. He loves children and animals so he hopes to have a great time looking after both of them! He also likes playing all kind of sports, specially football and scuba diving.
Eduard Baccelis, Spain (July 13-Aug 04, 08)
 Eduard is 17 years old and is studying his last course at school so next year he’ll be in universtity studying arquitechture.
At the moment, he’s training a football team of boys who are beetwen 13 and 14 years old. He also plays in a football team with some friends. As you can see he likes playing football but he also like playing others games or sports, so he wishes to play all kind of games with children from Uganda.
On the other hand, he is giving extra classes to his little cousin to help her in her studies and he gets on very well with her as a teacher.
 Bernat Gisbert, Spain, (July 13-Aug 04, 08),
Bernat Gisbert, from Barcelona, Spain. He is currently studying journalism at the Barcelona
University and working in a radio as an internship. He is 21-year-old student with a passion for children. He has volunteer in Barcelona with a disabled children. He hopes to learn a lot and life a new experience. He would find with new culture, with new costums... On the other hand, Bernat is an apassionated younger about the sports. He loves to practices all sports."I have desire of living through a new experience” Bernat concludes.
Sarah Cassidy, Scotland (July 02 - Aug 05, 2008)
 Sarah is 21 years old and lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. She is in her third year of English Literature studies and is currently researching her dissertation on the Kenyan writer, Ngugi wa Thiong'o. Over the past three years she has volunteered with various NGOs in Argentina and Peru and through these experiences she has developed an interest in the international voluntary sector. This will be Sarah's first time in Africa and she looks forward to being in a country that she has read about through her studies, aswell as experiencing and learning about the people, culture and voluntary sector of Uganda.
Amy Green, Austrailia (June 29 - July 28, 2008)
 Amy is a 20 year old Law/Arts student at the University of Western Australia in Perth. After completing secondary school in 2005, Amy spent the first five months of 2006 volunteering at a school in Bucharest, Romania. Amy has a great passion for travel and hopes to see as much of the world as possible in an effort to gain some insight into the cultures and traditions of others. This will be her second visit to Africa but her first visit to Uganda. She is so excited to meet all the people working and living in and around Masaka – especially the kids!
Chris Carrol, Ireland, June 22 - August 25, 2008.
Chris is 19 years old and living in Dublin, Ireland. He is currently in his second year of a 5 year medicine course. At the moment Chris helps out inner city primary school kids in Dublin although they usually teach him a thing or two on the playground football pitch. This will be Chris' first time in Africa. He can't wait to get out to Uganda and hopes to do his best while out there.
 Elizabeth Bradley, June 12 - July 18, 2008
I'm from Tennessee and currently have one year left of nursing school. This is my first trip to Africa, but have traveled through India, Central America, New Zealand and lived in Fiji. I'm very interested in international health care especially in developing nations.
Laura MacFarland, USA, June 10- July 05, 2008
 Laura is 16 years old and lives in Lexington, KY. She loves working with children and youth and knows she will have lots of fun this summer doing so. This is her second time to Uganda, but her first time in Masaka. She loves writing and is excited to work with HIA's students and their newspaper. She is excited to learn more about Uganda's culture and its people and cannot wait to get there! Laura will also be traveling to Kampala and Gulu after her stay in Masaka.
Pa tty MacFarland, USA, June 10 - July 05, 2008
Patty works in a seminary library in Lexington, KY. She is the second oldest of ten children and is married to a United Methodist Minister. It is her second trip to Uganda. She will be traveling to Masaka with her oldest daughter Laura while her youngest daughter stays behind to care for her horse with her father. Patty is eager to help wherever needed.
M onica Dykas, USA, May 28 - June 28, 2008.
Monica is 21 years old and studying International Relations and Nutrition & Health Promotion at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. This is her first trip to Africa (traveling to Uganda and Ghana) and she’s really excited to learn more about the culture and meet local people while helping anywhere needed. She loves children and can’t wait to work/play with them!
Alyssa Erickson, USA, May 25 - July 24, 2008
 Alyssa is 27 and from Seattle, Washington. She graduated from the University of Idaho in 2004 with a B.S. in Business while on a full basketball scholarship and currently works as a business analyst for an avionics manufacturer. This will be her first trip to Africa and she is extremely excited to experience the culture and people. Her main focus will be on the development of the leadership/entrepreneurship program, but is willing to help out where ever she is needed. Upon returning to the states in August, Alyssa will begin her master's degree studies in International Affairs at Florida State University.
Jennifer Ambrose, USA, May 22-July 24, 2008
Originally from Montana, Jen Ambrose is a student at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA, where she is studying International Relations. Jen spent last year studying abroad in Dakar, Senegal, which was her first experience in Africa and also allowed her to travel to Guinea and Morocco. She loved her experiences there and wanted to see another part of Africa. Jen is very interested in social and economic development issues in sub-Saharan Africa. She plans to serve in the Peace Corps and to pursue graduate studies in International Development.
 Laura Collins, USA, May 16 - June 16, 2008.
Laura is a 20 year old college student in the United States. She is just finishing up her sophomore year at Villanova University which is just outside of Philadelphia. At Villanova, Laura is studying Political Science and Global Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies. She is deeply concerned with global issues and policies and hopes to spend her life working to fight injustices across the globe while also meeting really amazing people and having great experiences. This will be her first trip to Africa and she is incredibly excited about it! She is eager to volunteer wherever she is needed and she can't wait to meet everyone at the site in Uganda! She feels blessed to have this great opportunity to meet people, learn about cultures, and support an awesome community.
 Kayla McCurry, NC, USA, May 15 - August 15, 2008
I am 20 years old, and am currently double majoring in Religion and Philosophy and Studio Art, and I am minoring in Women's Studies. I am from North Carolina, and I am a junior service-learning scholar at Mars Hill College. I love art, reggae, and dancing. While I am in Uganda I hope to learn about traditional dance and art, and hear some great music! I also hope to study/observe the influence of Christianity on traditional art forms and culture. This is my first international trip and I am thrilled! I am very looking forward to volunteering with the Women's Program and learning a lot about women's lives in Uganda. I hope that when I come back to the States I am able to convey the awe of this experience.
Kate Creedon, Canada, May 12 - June 27, 2008
Kate attended the University of Victoria, BC and received her BA in psychology. She has worked with youth in a variety of capacities including as a coach, tutor, peer counselor, and mentor. She has also volunteered in India, working with youth and adults with autism and other developmental delays. She currently works at the University of Victoria, as a research assistant examining the experiences of youth in rural communities. She is applying to do her masters in counseling psychology, and is looking forward to learning about Uganda and it’s people.
Frankie Keegan, Ireland, May 05 - 26, 2008
Frankie is a 26 year Airline Pilot living in Dublin, Ireland. Although his work takes him to many different countries in Europe, he rarely has time to experience anything outside the various airport boundaries. For this reason, Frankie has taken time out of work since January 2008 to travel to various places in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and North America. Continuing this adventure, Frankie is eager to experience life in Africa and to help out as much as possible with developing communities. Frankie expects his time in Africa to be vastly different from his life at home and is very much looking forward to meeting the people of Uganda and witnessing the continent's natural beauty.
Bridget Sangster, Canada, April 02- June 26, 2008
Bridget is 24 years old and grew up in Tswassen
BC. She attended the University of Victoria, and completed her education at BCIT. Bridget presently works at Vancouver
General
Hospital as a radiographer. She has traveled before, backpacking through various parts of Asia, but is presently traveling Africa. She is eager to volunteer abroad, and considers this trip, a trip of a lifetime.
Melissa Schlichting, Canada (April 14- May 13, 08),
 Melissa graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 2006 with her BA in English and Criminology. She will receive her English Honours designation in April 2008, with a minor in International Development Studies. Following a one-year internship in 2009, Melissa will pursue her Masters in International Development Studies, with the goal of securing a career in human rights and basic needs issues in Sub-Saharan Africa. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys Latin and ballroom dancing, travelling, photography, learning new things, and meeting new people.
Julia Palma, Norway-USA(March 12-23, 08),
 Julia is an American Soldier stationed in Stavanger, Norway. Her field is finance and she holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Accounting and is currently working on her MBA. She is a single parent of a 14 year old boy, Kurt. As a mother, she is truly looking forward to spending time with the young people at the Academy and learning about their lives. She has traveled to Africa before, but never Uganda. She is very excited about this opportunity given to her and she knows this experience will have a huge impact on her life. Although her time in Uganda will be short, she hopes she can leave a small footprint on the hearts and minds of the children she meets.
Susan McClurg, Norway-USA(March 12-23, 08),
Susan is an American living in Stavanger Norway. As a mother, she is especially looking forward to interacting with the children at Hope Academy. She is currently involved with several projects, including some teaching and coaching at the International School of Stavanger. She is thrilled to have a chance to travel to Uganda and help in as many ways as possible.
Crystal Vaught, Norway-USA(March 12-23, 08),
 Crystal Vaught is a teacher living in Stavanger, Norway. Although originally from the US, she currently works with students ages 11-15 at the International School of Stavanger as an English and geography teacher, and a sports coach. This will be her second trip to Africa, but her first trip to Uganda. However, it will be her third trip volunteering with street kids. She is very grateful for the opportunity to spend a short time in March learning with and from the students at URF.
Laura Collins, USA, May 16 - June 16, 2008.
Laura is a 20 year old college student in the United States. She is just finishing up her sophomore year at Villanova University which is just outside of Philadelphia. At Villanova, Laura is studying Political Science and Global Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies. She is deeply concerned with global issues and policies and hopes to spend her life working to fight injustices across the globe while also meeting really amazing people and having great experiences. This will be her first trip to Africa and she is incredibly excited about it! She is eager to volunteer wherever she is needed and she can't wait to meet everyone at the site in Uganda! She feels blessed to have this great opportunity to meet people, learn about cultures, and support an awesome community.
Kayla McCurry, NC, USA, May 15 - August 15, 2008
I am 20 years old, and am currently double majoring in Religion and Philosophy and Studio Art, and I am minoring in Women's Studies. I am from North Carolina, and I am a junior service-learning scholar at Mars Hill College. I love art, reggae, and dancing. While I am in Uganda I hope to learn about traditional dance and art, and hear some great music! I also hope to study/observe the influence of Christianity on traditional art forms and culture. This is my first international trip and I am thrilled! I am very looking forward to volunteering with the Women's Program and learning a lot about women's lives in Uganda. I hope that when I come back to the States I am able to convey the awe of this experience.
Kate Creedon, Canada, May 12 - June 27, 2008
Kate attended the University of Victoria, BC and received her BA in psychology. She has worked with youth in a variety of capacities including as a coach, tutor, peer counselor, and mentor. She has also volunteered in India, working with youth and adults with autism and other developmental delays. She currently works at the University of Victoria, as a research assistant examining the experiences of youth in rural communities. She is applying to do her masters in counseling psychology, and is looking forward to learning about Uganda and it’s people.
Frankie Keegan, Ireland, May 05 - 26, 2008
Frankie is a 26 year Airline Pilot living in Dublin, Ireland. Although his work takes him to many different countries in Europe, he rarely has time to experience anything outside the various airport boundaries. For this reason, Frankie has taken time out of work since January 2008 to travel to various places in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and North America. Continuing this adventure, Frankie is eager to experience life in Africa and to help out as much as possible with developing communities. Frankie expects his time in Africa to be vastly different from his life at home and is very much looking forward to meeting the people of Uganda and witnessing the continent's natural beauty.
Bridget Sangster, Canada, April 02- June 26, 2008
Bridget is 24 years old and grew up in Tswassen
BC. She attended the University of Victoria, and completed her education at BCIT. Bridget presently works at Vancouver
General
Hospital as a radiographer. She has traveled before, backpacking through various parts of Asia, but is presently traveling Africa. She is eager to volunteer abroad, and considers this trip, a trip of a lifetime.
Melissa Schlichting, Canada (April 14- May 13, 08),
Melissa graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 2006 with her BA in English and Criminology. She will receive her English Honours designation in April 2008, with a minor in International Development Studies. Following a one-year internship in 2009, Melissa will pursue her Masters in International Development Studies, with the goal of securing a career in human rights and basic needs issues in Sub-Saharan Africa. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys Latin and ballroom dancing, travelling, photography, learning new things, and meeting new people.
Julia Palma, Norway-USA(March 12-23, 08),
Julia is an American Soldier stationed in Stavanger, Norway. Her field is finance and she holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Accounting and is currently working on her MBA. She is a single parent of a 14 year old boy, Kurt. As a mother, she is truly looking forward to spending time with the young people at the Academy and learning about their lives. She has traveled to Africa before, but never Uganda. She is very excited about this opportunity given to her and she knows this experience will have a huge impact on her life. Although her time in Uganda will be short, she hopes she can leave a small footprint on the hearts and minds of the children she meets.
Susan McClurg, Norway-USA(March 12-23, 08),
Susan is an American living in Stavanger Norway. As a mother, she is especially looking forward to interacting with the children at Hope Academy. She is currently involved with several projects, including some teaching and coaching at the International School of Stavanger. She is thrilled to have a chance to travel to Uganda and help in as many ways as possible.
Crystal Vaught, Norway-USA(March 12-23, 08),
Crystal Vaught is a teacher living in Stavanger, Norway. Although originally from the US, she currently works with students ages 11-15 at the International School of Stavanger as an English and geography teacher, and a sports coach. This will be her second trip to Africa, but her first trip to Uganda. However, it will be her third trip volunteering with street kids. She is very grateful for the opportunity to spend a short time in March learning with and from the students at URF.
Al lison Newburn, USA (Feb 05- April 02, 08)
Allie graduated in 2007 from John Brown University in Arkansas, and is from Oklahoma. With a degree in education, she hopes to get a job as a teacher for elementary students. She is excited to come to Uganda and learn about their culture, meet some great people and children, and hopefully help out where she can!
Philip Rouse, USA (Oct. 07 - Feb 28, 2008),
 Philip is from Virginia, USA. He holds a B.S from Radford University. "Hope to help while I'm here and I'm enjoying my stay."
Thirsa Borsje,
Netherland
(Sept 07- Jan, 08),
Thirsa Borsje, from the Netherlands, is currently studying Social Work at the Rotterdam University. She is a 20-year-old student with a passion for children. She has been a volunteer in Brazil for three months and would like to volunteer this year in Uganda. In the weekends she is working with children with a mental and physical disability and volunteers at a home for pregnant teenagers. She would love to work with children in Uganda and hopes to also learn from them.
Hannah Cunningham, USA, (Sept - Dec, 08),
Hannah is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She is a student at Williams College in Massachusetts. At eighteen, this will be her first trip to Africa. SHe is interested in international public health and medicine. Hannah has volunteered for a few organizations including the Student Global Aids Campaign, Unight, and One House at a Time. She is looking forward to arriving in Masaka and developing new friendships.
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