2020 UGANDA - A second year as a volunteer in Rwamwanja

Following the World at Play sport and play activities, I am very pleased with the impact they have made and keep making. I remember when I was 12 years of age, I was left alone for years. When my father passed away in a war of Nderehamwe and Maimai in 2004, I took a different path to my mother and young sisters. I grew up as an orphan and as a street kid. I went through a lot. I felt abandoned, I felt like I shouldn’t live. I had no friend to play with, nobody wanted to talk to me. All the kids laughed at me for not having a parent to take care of me and take me to school. I was in a gloomy condition for a while. I haven’t tasted the sweet side of life. I used to mourn and wonder why me!? Spending all night and day crying and blaming God for all that I was going though. I am glad that I pushed through it.

Getting an opportunity to play with children and young adult refugees in Rwamwanja refugee settlement was an honour! I met children and young adults who are going through the same situation as me and others even in harder situations. During my day I got nobody to play with but I was very proud and honoured to play with the children and young adults. I wish only if it can be possible to keep bringing joy, laughter and happiness to all of these people who have gone through a certain misery.

Sometimes the society we live in does not welcome them or support them, rather they keep dispersing them and insult them.

I loved seeing the smiling faces, joyful people and having fun with them.

All my gratitudes to the World at Play and all the volunteers who helped me to make it. I was so happy to meet the international volunteers who accepted to go through the hardship and make sure these refugees smile, and have fun.

I sincerely thank everyone for their contribution to brighten up these children’s lives. I am also grateful to build self-confidence in these children, especially in young girls and promote gender- equality through sport and play.

By Olivier Ruvugana Balikwenda