The fifth-year UVic biology student spent four months working for the Environmental Women in Action for Development (EWAD), an NGO operating out of Entebbe, Uganda that provides support to impoverished local communities. Her responsibilities included everything from visiting orphans and vulnerable children in districts supported by EWAD, to creating promotional materials like a new website and brochures, as well as writing proposals and documenting environmental projects.

“I’ve always been enticed by the natural world, and have never shied away from traveling to developing countries,” says Henry. She decided that she wanted to expand her travels to Africa, and figured that a co-op work term was the perfect way to accomplish her goal.

Most international NGO’s are unable to offer remuneration to interns or co-op students, but Henry knew that the payoff would be in in the experiences she gained. She contacted EWAD and offered to self-fund her own internship. Using capital saved from a previous work term as well as funding through UVic Co-op and Career’s Graham Branton Co-op Endowment Fund, the Student International Activities Fund, Jarmila Vlasta Von Drak Thouvenelle Co-op Scholarship, and family members, she was soon on her way to Entebbe.

“I didn’t make any money, but I learned so much,” says Henry. “I stayed in a sewing room around the corner from the EWAD offices so I was close to work and connected to the community. I worked closely with volunteers from Germany and made lifelong connections. I experienced what it’s like to work for an NGO and to impact local communities step by step.”

Henry quickly adjusted to everyday life in Uganda, including the regular power outages, lack of regular water, road maintenance and infrastructure. She was inspired by the way Ugandans dealt with these everyday occurrences. “They have an amazing sense of humour and cope well with every set back. It was eye-opening.”

One of the most significant realities that Henry experienced was the impact that HIV/AIDS has taken on local communities. “Often a child’s parents, aunts and uncles have succumbed to HIV/AIDS—grandmothers are taking care of grandchildren because the middle generation is gone. Those that have survived are having large families because it’s encouraged, and yet they don’t have the means to support their children. It made me want to help.”

Since returning to Canada, Henry has continued her commitment to EWAD and Entebbe. She has written a play based on her experiences that will help educate Ugandan women about options for family planning as well as issues like gender equality. She has run the play’s content past her EWAD colleagues and is currently planning a “Celebration of Africa” fundraiser to put on a family planning project in Uganda, including performances of the play followed by discussions about gender equality and contraceptives. The project will be delivered in early 2012

Her advice for fellow UVic co-op students is simple: “Traveling is the best way to learn about international development, and traveling through co-op gives you access to resources that you wouldn’t otherwise have. This is the time to do it – embrace the opportunity.

To read more about Henry’s experiences with EWAD, visit http://ewadprogramme.wordpress.com/. To find out how you can help with the Celebration of Africa” fundraiser, email chidah@uvic.ca.