Back to Bunyonyi

As I write this I'm sitting on the ferry. I’ve just started what I can only assume will be one of the biggest adventures of my life so far. I’m headed to Victoria to begin 12 days of intensive training before I head to Uganda for six months. I have very little idea what the next six months will hold but I can’t wait to live them. I’m hoping that some of you will be able to experience a little of what I’m experiencing through reading this blog over the next couple months. 

I guess that means I should clarify what I’m actually going to be doing and where I'm going.

I am going to be interning with Victoria International Development Education Association (VIDEA) through one of their partner organizations, Lake Bunyonyi Development Company (LBDC).

LBDC was created to address the environmental impact of farming around Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda, near the border of Rwanda. I will be filling the position of Ecotourism Project Officer. I’ll be helping with planning and management of Bushara Island Camp- an environmentally sensitive community-based ecotourism project.

My role there will involve providing tours to visitors, developing promotional materials, providing training to local students who are studying hospitality, helping to develop workshops in sustainable development and resource management, conducting HIV/AIDS workshops, and working as an ambassador for VIDEA.

While I’m there I’ll be sponsored by Global Affairs Canada through the international youth internship program.

I’ll be living on a small island on one of the deepest lakes in Africa and I’ve got a slackline and inner tube in my suitcase so have no fear… there are blogs coming that won’t be quite this monotonous.