 Travel, like literature, is a fantastic educator; another great way to cultivate a deeper empathy and understanding of people whose lives might be different to our own. So, when one of my oldest friends, and co-founder of Executive Edge Travel, Yvonne Verstandig, invited me to co-host a trip to Uganda inspired by my upcoming novel, I Am Change, I jumped at the chance. I would return to Uganda to see the girls who helped shape the characters in my novel, and in turn shape me – as a writer and a person - and spend time with the aid organisations who continue to support them.
I’d seen the difference these organisations made on my last visit; how they’d saved girls from unwanted pregnancies and marriages to older men, fed them when they were hungry and sat them at desks. It’s been such a buzz reconnecting with them to explore how our small group might make a difference. The first leg of the trip will include meeting with female leaders of change, participating in round-table discussions, visiting girls’ empowerment clubs and hearing from young girls about the obstacles preventing them from achieving their dreams - and taking their lead in how we can help them. In between meetings we’ll explore markets, spend time with local artists and fashion designers, watch a witch-doctor at work, drum and dance. Yvonne’s part of the itinerary - a dose of adventure – will take up the last four days and see our small group hike to remote villages, search for game in open top land-cruisers, offer a hand building a mud hut for the local community and trek through the jungle in search of mountain gorillas. If the trip is going to be anywhere near as exciting as the planning of it has been, we’re going to have an amazing 10 days. If you’re free in May 2020 check out the link https://www.executiveedge.com.au/travel-my-way-uganda/
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