The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Sichuan University, the University of Haifa, the University of Manchester, the University of São Paulo and Washington University in St Louis
Project Uganda was the USRN’s first student-initiated community engagement project, run by a group of students from USRN member universities such as PolyU, Sichuan University, the University of Haifa, the University of Manchester, the University of São Paulo and Washington University in St Louis.
The project was undertaken in partnership with a local NGO in Uganda, the 40 Days Over 40 Smiles Foundation, with the aim of engaging the local Ugandan community through service delivery. From 23 to 31 July 2018, the project team served a children’s learning community centre in Kibuli, a slum area in Uganda’s capital Kampala, by organising workshops on basic literacy and healthcare.
The team also saw the project as an opportunity to cultivate a sense of global citizenship among universities.
A Facebook page has been set up to raise awareness of the project and the situation of the Kibuli slum:
“It was rewarding to work in a team with diverse cultural backgrounds, which helped me to find different ways of addressing problems. My increased sensitivity will be useful when I encounter similar situations in the future. I hope that this kind of global student collaboration will continue in the long term to allow us to learn more about social issues while enhancing our own capacities.”
WONG Yat Chun, PolyU
“I believe that big changes always start small. This [project] was just the beginning, but it represented a step in the right direction. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to take part in the project, and hope to have more such experiences in the future.”
Shoshi TZUR, University of Haifa
“I have learned a lot on this journey, especially about the role of volunteers. We should help those in need to realise their ambitions and dreams, and raise their awareness of the significance of education. I am truly glad of the opportunity afforded by PolyU and the USRN to take part in the Uganda Project.”
WANG Guanshi, Sichuan University
