Five students and two professors traveled to Uganda during May 10-22 to learn powerful lessons and expand global awareness and understanding.
Students on the journey include Brittany Guris, majoring in American Sign Language Interpreter Training; Tyree McIntosh, Counseling and Rehabilitation; Nakisha Thomas, Social Work; Lydia Williams, Mass Communications; and Erin Woods, Student Affairs. Professors guiding include Dr. Dionne Rosser-Mims, Associate Dean for the COE, and Dr. Meg Milligan, associate professor of Psychology.
Students learned about the Ugandan government, education, economy, and culture. This trip was designed to allow students to connect their areas of study to the activities planned to expand their perspectives and global identities.
Learning of government, culture, and international alliance building:
The TROY group visited the Buganda Parliament and met the Speaker of the Parliament, The Honorable Nelson Kawalya. Buganda is the oldest and largest traditional kingdom in Uganda. Members of Parliament serve as volunteers appointed by the King.
Students participated in a panel discussion with Kyambogo University students to discuss the importance of gender equality and ways to execute the existing partnership between the universities. The students e
Serving and learning:
Prior to the trip participants raised over $1,200 to donate to the Sanyu Babies’ Orphanage; $500 (1,800,000 Ugandan Shillings) was used to purchase baby formula with the remaining amount given to the Orphanage director to purchase other needed items. The group also donated 28 stuffed teddy bears made by American Sign Language student Brittany Guris. A midwife started the orphanage after seeing the large number of children abandoned.
Participants learned more deeply how one person can change the lives of many once seeing a need and desiring to make a difference.
Students also donated toiletries and school supplies to the Nalinya Iwantale Girls Primary School. These donations can have life-changing impact because in this culture girls and women. TROY students made a difference in the lives of these girls by promoting education and helping them stay in school through these donations. This boarding school has 530 girls and has been educating and helping girls for 104 years.
Participants enjoyed an evening of cultural dances and instruments at the Ndere Troupe Theater. The performance showed the importance of equality by including everyone’s gifts and talents to promote the overall sound of the band.
For more information, view the group’s travel log of their trip.
Opportunities for TROY students:
The COE will guide trips abroad with course credit (EDU 3390/5590) to Costa Rica and the United Kingdom during Spring Break 2019. To learn more, contact Dr. Tonya Conner at 334-983-6556, ext.1350 or tconner@troy.edu.
