Beck,volunteers are made of sterner stuff

SIR—A few weeks ago, you published a letter by Mr Johannes Beck entitled, “What is special about Case Smith”. Beck says he is a German doing voluntary work in Rakai. He complained that he and his fellow volunteers had been made to pay shIm just like any Bazungu tourists are charged. The tone of his letter was bitter because as a volunteer in Uganda, he expected preferential treatment. Beck says he is 20 years old and is involved in training teachers in Rakai. First of all, he and his group did not make any arrangements with the Ministry of Tourism to have their tour subsidised. Secondly, the ministry has no way of distinguishing foreigners who are volunteers and those on luxury tours. But what is irritating about Beck’s attitude is like that of a World bank or IMF agent. What they give with the right hand, they take away with the left one. Africa and other poor countries are better off without ‘volunteers’ like Beck. If they cannot give from a full heart, volunteers cannot be compelled to volunteer. There are some true volunteers who have died for what they believe in. Incidentally, Beck says he is 20 years old. When did he finish his university education and what experience does he have as a teacher trainer? Uganda may need to beef up her education system but I doubt whether it needs the ‘expertise’ and nasty temperament of twenty-year-olds whether they are from Germany, Africa or anywhere else in the world. Finally, there was no reason why Johannes had to pay sh1m for his tour. I advise him to read the New Vision of December 5, page 15 and he will be enlightened about what the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) charges for visits to national parks. Neither foreigners nor Ugandans are ever charged sh1m whether to visit parks or climb mountains. So, I cannot understand why Beck was made to pay so much. If it was in a vicarious spirit that Beck left Germany to come to Uganda to help ‘the wretched of the earth’ then his bitterness is sadly misplaced. Beck asks what is special about Smith that he himself and his colleagues have not done. I believe the media cannot write about everybody who is doing what in the country. Maybe, if his contribution was worth a mention, it would have caught someone’s eye a long time ago. Besides, Beck’s attitude spoils the very essence of volunteerism. As Jesus told the Pharisees, if you start spelling out how you “give a tenth of your income”, then you have already received your reward. In spite of our problems, tourism is catching on in Uganda although some people have a negative attitude. Mr Beck, volunteers are made of sterner stuff.

James Kananura
Rakai