In an attempt to break away from my mundane office job in Australia and make a difference in this world, I signed up for a volunteering placement with the Liberty Development Foundation (LIDEFO) in Kasese, Uganda. When I first arrived for my one year placement, I was amazed at how welcoming and generous the people are and am now at the half-way point, enjoying the challenges and rewards that this type of work brings. I have become accustomed to the freezing cold showers and the continuous power cuts and am beginning to see Uganda for the true beauty it holds.

The principal objective of LIDEFO’s work is to reach disadvantaged groups within the Kasese district of Uganda. The main project that I am working on is the Liberty College, a not for profit vocational education centre for young adults from underprivileged backgrounds. The focus of the College is to equip our students with practical life skills such as tailoring, catering, journalism and secretarial studies in order to improve their livelihoods.

I was amazed to find that the students currently attending the college come from surrounding villages in the community with no access to electricity or running water, but they see the Liberty College as an opportunity of a lifetime. The College is the only one of its kind within the district as it specifically targets students from poorer backgrounds and strives to attract those that are in need, even if this means they are not able to pay for their course fees. I like the fact that we teach many of our college lessons under an acacia tree outside our main classroom, as it gives it a real African feel but it might also give you an indication of the challenges we are currently facing.

I am convinced that the average, everyday Aussie can make a difference in the world. As part of the Liberty College’s commitment to serving students from disadvantaged backgrounds, I have introduced a scholarship program for those in need.

This program is made possible only by external donors sponsoring a student’s fees and in turn changing their lives forever. This means that you too can help make a real difference in the lives of those less fortunate. If you are interested in getting involved in this fantastic program, please contact me, Magda Woloszyn on magda_woloszyn@hotmail.com and I will send you a student profile and details on how to securely donate via our AusAID approved project partner in Australia, Global Development Group (ABN 57 102 400 993; www.globaldevelopment.org.au).

Alternatively, if you would like to explore volunteering options with our organisation, visit www.lidefo.org for more information. Scholarships begin at only AU$100 for one year’s tuition and provide the student with an opportunity to learn a practical skill and work their way out of poverty. 

Hello Real Girls! Sorry for the lack of posts. I have been crazy busy organising publicity for the 2010 Williamstown Literary Festival, which went off like a rocket. But that's neither here nor there, although it has, as always, reignited my love for the written word.

The lovely people over at Black Dog Books have kindly provided me with books to review on our fabulous blog and soon-to-be e-zine, and so far I like what I've read! So I am going to regularly post book reviews, and occasionally author interviews, with a few giveaways in between, so watch this space!

The first book I read was Sugar, Sugar by Carole Wilkinson. It's about an 18 year old girl with dreams of turning her quirky, distinctly Australian fashion designs (I mean, she has created a top made out of Galah feathers?) into internationally recognised designer clothes. In pursuit of this dream she heads to the fashion capital of the world- Paris- with expectations of finding work in a trendy high fashion boutique, and being discovered by her all time favourite designer. Somehow, in a way that you can only understand if you read the book, she ends up being thrown wildly off course, discovering new parts of the world she never even knew existed, ending up on a place that she can't even find on the map.

The story is set in the 1970s, and I guess its underlying theme is that of escaping what you know and heading into the unknown. It is filled with adventure, mishaps, misfortunes, and all throughout is a general gnawing dread of of not knowing what will happen to Jackie next, which is a breath of fresh air compared to many, incredibly predictable stories! Of course, I am obsessed with the 70s; the long, flowing hair, walking around bare foot, having little to no possessions, and giving up life to go on a spiritual journey is my idea of heaven. But that's not what this story is about.

I loved this book for a number of reasons. First, the way it shows you that how no matter what you think your dreams are, or how well you think you understand what is important, things can change. Jackie, the main character, sets off with certain expectations of what was going to happen. All it took was one small, seemingly insignificant event and she was off on a journey she never in a million years would have planned. That journey taught her more things than she could have learnt in a lifetime of sticking to what she knows.

It also teaches that friendship, comfort, security and happiness can be found in the most unexpected places, if you keep an open mind. And it showed how stepping out of your comfort zone can open up a whole new world of possibilities; something I can attest to after having spent two years working and traveling in Europe and the UK.

Sugar, Sugar is an easy, enjoyable read, and one that I believe anyone with a sense of adventure, a curiosity of the unknown, or a feeling of loss or helplessness would enjoy immensely.

xxMELxx