This post was written by Asa Waterworth, an American woman who volunteered at Malayaka House for several months between high school and college. As a senior in high school, I had no desire to go straight to college. I didn’t know what I wanted to study, and while I love(d)
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Patricia Goes to School!
Despite heated debates in recent years as to the state of the U.S. education system, we are generally quite fortunate. Most Americans have access to a high level of free public education. For many countries in the developing world, including Uganda, public schools often have dirt floors and are lacking
Is There a Difference Between Volunteering Overseas and Voluntourism?
“Voluntourism” and the idea of the “white savior complex” are two highly-sensitive topics for those of us engaged in work in developing countries. Some of us have a propensity for acting without first listening or asking. Americans (and others) want to give back, but knowing how to help isn’t always
The African
The first time my family and I went to Uganda for an extended stay, I met Monica. My experience with Ugandans has been that they are some of the friendliest, most welcoming people in the world. Cultural differences, however, can sometimes be challenging when it comes to conversation, especially with
Robert
There is this misconception about people doing humanitarian or social justice work: that they are saints who never mess up, who have exchanged freedom for helping others. But that is not at all the reality I have come to know. Instead, I see complicated, fascinating people who, rather than giving
Thank you Wells Mountain Initiative
We were honored to host the Wells Mountain Initiative (WMI) at Malayaka House last week. This US-based organization is doing important work around the globe, creating social change through education and community development. WMI works with young people in developing countries, educating them with skills training and scholarships in an
Street Kids
I was in Uganda with my then ten-year-old daughter. It was our first time there, and I was still very much “in my bubble.” We were headed—with Robert—to coffee farms on the Kenyan border, and we had stopped midway for lunch in the history-rich town of Jinja, which also happens
The Beginning
One of the most common questions we get asked is, how did Malayaka House begin? Although much of the story can be found in bits and pieces across our website, we thought we’d share it in its entirety right here. Enjoy 🙂 In 2005, an American by the name of
A New Baby Arrives at Malayaka House
A mentally-ill homeless woman begging in Entebbe —unfortunately, it is not a novelty. But when she has a baby, it’s another story altogether. This week, the aunties again found the mother of one our children, Dave, living in the streets of Entebbe. This time she had another baby
Opening of the Amaanyi Center
We have been collaborating with embraceKulture for a few years now on a training and advocacy program for youth with disabilities in Uganda. Today, we are proud to be involved with the opening of their Amaanyi Center, on the property adjacent to our children’s home. I want to share