The Great Primate Handshake – Volunteer in Africa, working to conserve monkeys and apes through film and educational content production

We are now half way through the expedition; it already feels longer than 14 days working together in Uganda. For many of us this experience has been a learning process mixed with adventure and hard work.

Many of the volunteers did not know what to expect before their arrival to this east African country. Uganda has been a great place to visit and to work in. For many of us it has been a surprise to realise how many local people are committed to conservation and how hard they are working to raise awareness of conservation in Uganda. We all believe that education can help to improve behaviour towards the great variety of wildlife that this country has to offer.

Everyone has enjoyed the opportunity to travel abroad, to learn,  improve their skills and to carry out work on conservation projects – hoping to make a difference to the lives of primate’s and people.

The volunteers enjoy interacting with children and locals, as well as continuing to visit organisations and sanctuaries as the expedition progresses. Most of the volunteers are also looking forward to seeing more primates and learning more about conservation efforts, with a forest walk planned this week in Kibale forest with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.

The educational team feel satisfied with the educational pack that they are working on and truly believe that it will make a big difference and could change many views. They have also been learning how to edit and to use digital media. They are pleased with the new skills that they are learning and with the contribution that they are going to leave behind in this country, with a desire to work in schools and experience sharing their work with and experiences with local people.

Each member of the video team has been working on different projects and their views about their contribution and experience during this expedition are varied. Eleanor has enjoyed helping people to learn new skills. Stephanie believes that her expectation about becoming a Handshake volunteer has been exactly what she expected – a combination of hard work and a joyful time and experience in Uganda. All of them are looking forward to producing more videos for the sanctuaries and consider their effort a unique opportunity to contribute and beyond doubt and unforgettable experience.

The whole group is eager to continue on the journey ahead, and are looking forward to the next few weeks. They are aware that it is going to be hard work, but they are looking forward to seeing more primates and animals in the wild as well as interacting with dedicated and passionate local people and the many smiling children In Uganda.