We Are One Village

by Nikki Lovell

  As we sit together and night creeps in, I think how easily I could live here forever. Yes, I would miss people and I would miss hot showers, but this feels like home. For now, while we are setting things up—registering One Village as a charity in Uganda, opening a bank account, organising how we are going to communicate over the years to come— I know I am of use here. But in the long term I am of more use in Australia, fundraising and telling everyone who will listen about the amazing people of Namwendwa.

  It is dark now and Dawoodee returns home for dinner. I’m too tired to cook, so instead I sit on my own and look up at the spectacular night sky. There is the Northern Star, still shining bright. I smile, thinking of everything that has led me back here. In life we don’t always follow the path that we had expected—instead we make our own way.

  Where this journey will lead is not really clear, but I know that my values will always give me direction. So far there have been many testing moments, times when I questioned myself and everything else too. There have also been amazing achievements, laughter shared and lessons learnt. But the most overwhelming, terrifying and greatest thing of all is to sit here now and realise that this is just the beginning.

  This is just the beginning.

  Acknowledgements

  This book would not have happened without Allen & Unwin, in particular Kathryn Knight and Claire Kingston. I must also specially mention Richard Walsh. I can’t thank you enough—for believing that I had a story worth telling and the ability to tell it.

  I must next acknowledge my family. Thank you Dad for insisting that I should do that which I love, and Mum for always being there when following my heart isn’t as easy as I think it should be.

  Thank you to both the Ugandan and Australian One Village committees for your continued passion and determination.

  Thank you to all the supporters of One Village for sharing this dream and helping turn it into a reality.

  And, of course, all of my gratitude to the forever inspiring community of Namwendwa. You have shown me that we can’t choose what happens to us, but we can always choose how we react. This book is for you.

  About One Village

  Our vision is to work in partnership with communities in Eastern Uganda to help them achieve long-term goals that will improve their quality of life.

  One Village currently works with the communities of Namwendwa and Butaaya. We believe that effective and lasting development will only come when the community takes ownership and responsibility for projects, and directs the form that they take. From the day One Village began, our projects have been initiated and driven by people passionate about affecting change in their community. One Village’s Ugandan volunteers consult with the community and identify development in sectors such as education, agriculture, water and environmental sustainability. Then, the One Village committees in Australia and Uganda unite to find a solution that best meets the needs of the community. A sustainable approach is always at the forefront of the decision-making process.

  One Village is comprised entirely of volunteers and in 2011 our administration cost was only 2%.

  We are very excited and proud of all that we have achieved so far. In 2011 One Village had sponsored 36 students through their secondary education in Namwendwa, sponsored 39 students with tertiary scholarships in teaching, nursing and technical courses, established vegetable and fruit gardens in Namwendwa and Butaaya primary schools to provide lunch for the students and teachers at the schools, hosted health awareness days every second year in Namwendwa, implemented EcoSAN composting toilets, and helped to restore and furnish Namwendwa Primary School . . . and this is just the beginning! You will have to check out our website for the rest of this story.

  To find out more, become involved or make a donation, please visit www.onevillage.org.au.

  About the Author

  Nikki Lovell is a law student who lives in South Australia. When she’s not studying or doing One Village work, she loves to cook, ride her bike, rock climb and travel. She has climbed in Thailand, Vietnam, China and South Africa in the past year. This is her first book.

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