Volunteer's Ugandan efforts are supported

Bridget Sangster left the comfort of Tsawwassen and took leave from an interesting professional job for a chance to change many lives. The 24-year-old volunteered to work with the Uganda Rural Fund in the small village of Kyetume.

Although Sangster doesn't work alone, she is certainly a big part of the reason good things are happening in this area of rural Uganda.

"People have to walk about three kilometres to get water," says Sangster. "[They use] a lot of time and energy to fill heavy jugs in a murky pond. I could barely lift one of those big jugs and the women ... carry them on their heads."

For over 1,000 people it has been their only access to water.

Now, because of her efforts, that entire community will change for the better. She is assisting with the installation of a rainwater collection system that will save the long trek to muddy ponds.

The project was short of funds so she got her mom, Vickie, to approach the Tsawwassen Rotary Club and convince it to contribute the critical $750 needed to complete the system.

When told of the contribution, Sangster called it, "an awesome accomplishment for the school and village."

Her last e-mail home closed with, "Thanks again for all that you are doing to help the people of Kyetume, Uganda!!"

Her pending return to Canada and her role as a Vancouver General Hospital medical technician may seem surreal after experiencing such a different existence in rural Uganda.