Volunteer Experience – Ms. Hannah Chisholm

I have always had a passion for wildlife and during my university studies I became particularly interested in conservation and decided this was the field in which I desired to work. I wanted to gain experience and to develop new skills while giving something back to the community, so decided to spend some time volunteering. Before coming to Uganda I was unsure of what to expect, I thought that four months away from home would seem like a very long time and that I would find it difficult to adapt to working in different conditions, but this was not the case. During my time working with CSWCT I have been inspired by the efforts that are being made and have been proud to be able to contribute to such a hard working team. CSWCT runs an in-situ conservation project based in Hoima to aid protection of wild chimpanzees through environmental education and community development. It was on this project that I was asked to assist the organisation due to previous experience in environmental education. In addition to implementing an educational outreach program I have also helped in conducting training workshops for teachers adjacent to chimpanzee habitat, and initiating a holiday program for students to visit the education centre based in Kyabigambire. Further to the contribution I could make in education I have also been involved in the community development work, such as training local people in income generating activities. Since my arrival I have witnessed many positive developments and although work is far from finished I can see that progress is being made. Although it has sometime been challenging and we have had to work very hard, I have found the experience thoroughly rewarding and very enjoyable. Along the way I have learnt a great deal about community development work, how to handle difficult situations and that people are capable of great things when they work together. From my time in Uganda I have gained knowledge, experience, new skills, many happy memories, and a number of great friends.

Testimonial from Mrs. Melissa Black, USA

 I traveled to Ngamba Island to
fulfill a lifelong dream of mine to learn about chimpanzees and animal
management in Africa.  However, I was blessed to experience and learn so
much more than I had expected

The sanctuary, management, and staff are all world class.  Ngamba Island
represents the ideal sanctuary in which the highest care is given to
orphaned and recued chimpanzees while educating people about the needs of
all apes and animals in a way that empowers the local community to find
viable ways to support their families and conserve their nature resources
for generations to come.  The wellbeing of your the animals was always
foremost.  I was not only taught how to perform tasks properly, but also the
reasons and ideology behind each responsibility.  The staff members were
wonderful teachers that encouraged me to learn by spending a lot of time
explaining things to me, answering my questions, and even occasionally
quizzing me.  The staff was obviously passionate about their work and their
enthusiasm is contagious.  My education was not limited to animal behavior
and husbandry, but included an appreciation for the conservation of nature
and wildlife, local culture and traditions, and the opportunity to look at
the world from another perspective.  Everyone with your organization was so
gracious and friendly that I was deeply saddened when I had to leave the
island.

So besides learning about the apes and the other animal residents, I was
able to work beside people from your country and learn so much more about
life in Uganda.  I have developed a great appreciation and respect for your
country and its people.  It amazes me how different our lives are in some
ways and how much we are alike in other ways.  My time in Africa reminded me
to slow down and appreciate the things that really matter in life.  I
reflect on my behaviors not only through the perspective of my culture, but
I hear the voices of my friends in Africa reminding me to appreciate all
life and cherish my resources and nature.  To me, Ngamba Island is a magical
place that will always hold a special place in my heart.

Testimonial from Ms.ELS  CALLWIER,Belgium

 I arrived in Uganda  on 29th of August 2008, I previously volunteered in the special-needs school in Bukomansimbi – Masaka District Uganda. Back home I worked with disabled children in main stream education for a year.

10th of March, I joined CSWCT, as a volunteer in the field education program Hoima District. I am a teacher by profession, and specialize in culture and behavioral sciences at secondary level.
 My major tasks  in Hoima field office are:
• Design interactive environmental interpretation materials at the education centre at Kyamalera.
• Assist the Conservation officer during monitoring, training, education out reaches in both school and communities.
• Guide  schools children at the education centre together with a local school teacher

The first week was a learning period, which involved going to  Ngamba Island and its neighboring fishing communities. There I got to know the staff and how they skillfully ensure the welfare of the orphaned chimpanzees. The women groups at Myende and the crafts they make. I also had a chance to understand the link between the sanctuary and the field interventions in Hoima. It’s important to give a chance to orphaned chimpanzees, but it’s also very important to stop the cause of such, there fore the need for field interventions.
The second week was an introduction to my new working station. Paul the conservation officer CSWCT,took the opportunity to introduce me to the partners of CSWCT, the communities, and what has been done so far.
My first activities were already on going so I joined in the tree seedling distribution, school outreaches and visits to forest owners.
At the moment I’m working on developing education materials, like the tree identification guide booklet, forest tree species displays for the education centre, posters
I am excited to join the community exhibitions and sensitizations which are going to start soon.I’m very happy that I got the chance to participate in different organizations in Uganda. In Bukomansimbi, I worked with the youngest children, but here, we deal with children, youngsters and adults. And we work on all levels: from the local people in the village up to the district officers. The networking with other local, national and international NGO’s like for example WWF is interesting. This experience made my view and understanding of Uganda again a lot broader. More over, there are cultural differences between the two places where I volunteered. So even outside working times, I’m learning!

 ISIS MOGUT (Germany)

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Seeing the CSWCT-chimps in real was one of the greatest experiences in my life! In November 2009, I spent some days with the staff on Ngamba Island and they showed me what they are doing every day for the chimpanzees. I have to say I am really impressed how joyful and passionate they are all working there. It was also a pleasure for me to see the chimps living in a family structure almost like in the wilderness. I enjoyed feeding the chimps and seeing how they responded and interacted with us. My visit to Ngamba Island was mainly organized for me to link up sanctuary activities with field conservation activities in Hoima.

While volunteering in Hoima, where the field office of CSWCT is located, I wrote a report with the topic “Potentials for Establishing Ecotourism in Hoima District”. It was a very interesting work. The best part was that I was able to sneak into every part of the CSWCT work at that time. I was assisting other volunteers with their work in Itohya Forest implementing a monitoring system as well as being present when the pupils of Munteme Junior School staged their dance and drama performance to the community of Munteme town in Hoima District.

The different things I saw and the many friendly people I met in that time enriched my life endurably. Although it was sometimes very hard to watch how fast the destruction of the chimpannzees` habitat is going on, it was hopeful to see that CSWCT and other partner organisations are doing huge efforts to save the remaining forests with education and community development programs.

I will surely visit CSWCT again in the future.Thank you all very much for your kindness and all the good conversations we had.

(Left:Isis at Ngamba Island preparing porridge for the baby chimps)

 EDDA TREIBER

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Since I was a little girl I loved chimpanzees and I was sure that some day I would move to Africa to work as a chimpanzee conservationist. So while my friends were reading romance novels I was reading everything about Jane Goodall. Some Years after Ngamba Island was founded Connie became my foster chimp and it had always been my biggest dream to travel to the island to see Connie and the other chimps in reality. Now it’s like a dream come true and I can’t believe that the time is already over!
This place is just magical and by far the best sanctuary I have ever seen! The chimps can roam around the forest during the whole day and they are free to decide if they want to sleep in the forest or in the holding facility at night.
When I looked into the chimps’ eyes it reminded me of their stories and it made me upset that their homes are being destroyed. There is so much that these creatures have already experienced in their lives - fear, violence, helplessness – but now they found this place where they can live in safety. I’m glad that there are these people working on the island and in the office and offering all their time and passion to give the chimps a new home.
Every one of them is not only a great parent to the chimps but has also been a great “teacher” to me. I learned a lot about care taking procedures and chimpanzee behaviour and was furthermore taken to some of the neighboring islands to learn about their community work. I always felt more than comfortable on the island and I enjoyed every minute!
The most amazing moments have been the morning walks. Carrying chimps on your back and playing with them is just an indescribable feeling.

At the end of my stay I got the chance to help at the Chimpanzee Tree Planting Campaign in Hoima. We planted trees in and around Hoima and I was surprised about the passion and enthusiasm young people are having for conservation work. With this in mind I am sure that together we can save the last chimpanzees.
My time with the CSWCT has showed me that my childhood dreams are no dreams anymore and that chimpanzee conservation is the work I want to do in my future.
I thank everyone for all your help and advise and your passion!

This little place on earth has become a home for me and it will always stay in my heart!