Meet Daniela Scharrer, our first German volunteer in Uganda. She is currently volunteering at St Jude Family Project, Masaka District.
“It is a great opportunity to spend my internship on another continent in a very different culture. So, to say, I am very open minded and looking forward for a great time and activities to expand my horizon,” she reveals.
After three years of studying for her bachelor’s of engineering with a major in agribusiness at the Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, Munich, Germany, primarily in the areas of economics and animal production, she wanted to learn more about the production of crops, including cash and special crops, and how to cultivate them.
She adds “I’m still flashed by many impressions, which increase every day. Nonetheless I am very thankful to be part of this program. Especially for the opportunity to discover the country, the culture as well as the challenges rather through the eyes of the young and rural community, than from a touristic perspective.”
According to Daniela, Ugandans are very cordial and kind people. “It was not hard for me, to feel comfortable here. During my first week’s stay, I joined celebrations, talked to many people, was interested in everything new and the most important thing: I tried almost every kind of delicious dishes,” she explains.
About the Volunteer Program
In collaboration with Schorlemer Stiftung of the German Farmers Association, the Young Farmers’ Federation of Uganda is implementing a volunteer program that provides German experience in Ugandan agriculture. The program targets youth, agricultural students. The volunteers cater for their 3 months stay at the Ugandan Host farm since it is voluntary. However, they can choose the time frame of their stay.
It aims to facilitate education and training between German volunteers and Ugandan host farmers, to foster global partnerships through exchange between the Global North and South and also promote cultural integration.