Here is a Horny Toad blog post from our kayaker friend Emily Jackson. Emily was in Uganda this past January kayaking on the White Nile and educating local villages.  It seems that community service and the love of the outdoors fit so seamlessly together. Let's all take Emily's experience to heart, and let's all continue to make positive differences, whether it's picking up trash on trail your hiking, teaching someone something new or volunteering in a place where your needed...together, we can "be the change" WE "wish to see in the world.—Ghandi                                               —Leah Fielding, Associate Editor

When people ask “What’s one of the most fun places I have ever been?,” Uganda shoots up to the very top of the list. The combination of the culture shock, African wildlife, large insects, and the amazing rapids of the White Nile make it one of my favorite places to visit. Once there, it’s impossible to not feel the need to give something back. The people, who have close to nothing, are willing and able to help you with anything. This started a fire in me to continue to do my best to make life-changing efforts in the towns I find myself in.

My latest trip was this January and it was my third time visiting Uganda. On previous trips I brought in more people, money and the goal of getting one large project done. This time I brought myself and myself only, with the goal of volunteering with Soft Power Health and paddling during our down time.

The day-to-day job was very different. Instead of cutting a red ribbon on a new school or assisting with the opening of the health clinic, I was helping to teach Ugandans to make healthy decisions, simply through education — which they have been deprived of. (Many are unaware of how one even gets pregnant or contracts malaria!) I was there for over a month and the three things I helped educate them on were malaria (which is our primary goal, as it can be prevented), family planning, and follow-ups regarding the proper uses of the mosquito nets they bought. Each gathering (the tribal leader or medicine woman/man brings the town together) had amazing results, with people thanking us for the knowledge as well as the tools: cheap and free birth control, nets, and water purifying systems. Knowledge is power — that’s the biggest thing to remember when helping in third world countries. You can’t do it for them, but you can show them the road…

Another question people ask is “What do you get from this?” I do it for the amazing feeling of knowing in my heart that I can leave the world a better place, knowing that I made a difference in the lives of others, knowing that I am getting something wonderful out of it, and I am able to give something back in return.

Each one of us is capable of making a difference, so get out there — and remember: It’s not the results but the significance of the effort.

Big thanks to Horny Toad for letting me share my story, and helping me to live my life comfortably and fashionably!

All the best,

Emily