Dreams of Africa

3rd Year Ancient History and History.

I became involved with Dreams of Africa, as I think it is important for people to be aware of the suffering and problems in other parts of the world, and any attempts to improve conditions and reduce the problems is worth helping.  The fact that Dreams of Africa aims to help through education separates it from other societies as it means it is working towards a long term solution.

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Third year geography student at Nottingham University.

I’ve just travelled back from Africa where I spent three weeks researching in a small village in southern Kenya. I was studying for my dissertation, focussing on the issue of women’s education and dependency in marriage. We were pretty much living in a mud hut for three weeks; no running water, no electricity and thousands of spiders and scorpians! It was a crazy experience! Yet all the villagers were so friendly and helpful with the project; by the end we felt like villagers ourselves!

Which is kind of why I wanted to get involved with Dreams of Africa. Having been out and lived like an African, I’ve grown a fondness for the continent and want to do more for the people there; they helped me with my project so now it’s my turn to help them with theirs!

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I am currently doing my second year of a PhD in Astrophysics here at Nottingham. And if anyone is interested I am studying the formation and evolution of galaxies in the distant universe....anyway, enough of that. I am organising the Little Big Africa project in Uganda this year, it is the first time Dreams of Africa have run a project like this but I am confident that its a good project and will run smoothly. Whilst I was studying for my UnderGrad at The University of Birmingham I ran InterVol which was (and still is) the International Volunteering society at Birmingham so, don’t worry I’m not too much of a novice. And having been to Uganda myself I know what to expect. 

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My name is Chris, and I’m Treasurer for Dreams of Africa. The project is new to me, but what I currently lack in know-how I will make up for in enthusiasm! And thinking about it, that seems to be a motto for many of the things I’ve done with my nineteen years so far - whether I’m studying for my English degree here at Nottingham, SCUBA diving on some far flung reef (or a quarry in Leicester), gaining my Duke of Edinburgh Gold award or just spending time with friends, I’m never happier than when I’m learning, both about myself and the things that I care about. This attitude came in particularly handy when I visited Uganda with my 6th form, working at Guludenne Unit for handicapped children. The experience opened my eyes, and taught me not only the importance of the issues faced by Africans today, but also that the children affected are amongst the most resilient, bright and ambitious people on Earth, and that the only thing standing between them and a changed Africa is freedom of opportunity. That’s where we come in. That is where I know that I, and you, can make a difference. Dreams of Africa can be the forum for us to exercise that power. It can be a shining light in helping these children to flourish; or, the way I prefer to see it, the proverbial Alan Titchmarsh paving the garden path to a future that excites them. I say I like to learn, I like to learn to be successful, and as well as balancing the books, if I can make people care about the issues enough to get themselves involved with this inspirational project, I’ll feel my job is done. 

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- Second year student in BA Law

As someone who has a parent from Ghana, Africa and the problems it faces has always been known to me. Having visited Ghana myself and seen the poverty some people live in, despite it being one of the most stable and prosperous African countries, really showed me how Africa could do with some help, no matter the size.

I feel that Dreams of Africa is different to many other organisations, as we don’t try to guilt people into doing something. Instead we raise awareness of issues that not everyone may have known about, and hope people will want to help make a difference. The fundraising we do allows people to enjoy themselves at our events while at the same time helping to make a real contribution to lives in Africa. Little Big Africa will also mean Dreams of Africa can give some people the platform to go to Uganda and directly get involved in a project that can have a lasting effect.

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I am a fourth-year History and German student. I have been lucky and honoured to do a lot of things in my life; from having my hand in an elephant’s mouth to living in a South African township; from working in restaurants and bars to meeting Heads of State.

None of it would have been worth anything if it hadn’t been for the people I’ve met and known throughout that, some who have been very well off, to some who survived on nothing at all. Dreams of Africa encapsulates my belief that if we have the ability and possibility to help those who are in trouble, then we have an obligation to do so. Even as students I think we are unaware of the power we can wield and the good we can do if we work together. Dreams of Africa is a step in proving that to students, and proving it to hundreds of people whose lives we can change in Africa, if we are willing to work for it.

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