Before embarking on this extraordinary experience, I decided to invest in my future and properly prepare myself for a path that would change the course of my life. I earned a degree in law and, after working for many years in the legal field, I realized it was no longer enough. My career among courtrooms and legal files was no longer fulfilling. I felt a strong desire to do more, to contribute to those living in hardship, far from the opportunities I was used to. So, I decided to expand my education and completed an international Master’s in Project Management for International Cooperation.
This program gave me the professional tools to work in the field of cooperation, where professionalism is essential for real and lasting change.
My decision to leave for Africa—the continent I had previously visited only as a tourist—was driven by a desire to get closer to what I’ve always considered the “last mile” of the world: the place most in need of help, but also richest in opportunities for change. I didn’t want to fall into the trap of “voluntourism”—those experiences that often serve as little more than a spectacle for tourists. I needed an organization that was serious, impactful, and operated with professionalism and respect for the communities. And that’s when I met Marco and Carmen.
Marco, vice president of Kope Onlus and co-founder of the Kopango Foundation, immediately impressed me with his seriousness and dedication.
Kope and Kopango are not just simple volunteer organizations, but true foundations that work on the ground to create lasting change. Kope Onlus is an organization that has been running cooperation projects in Uganda for years, while the Kopango Foundation, born in Uganda itself, supports local communities through projects in education, healthcare, and sustainability. With Marco and Carmen, I found not only two professionals but two people who live cooperation as a mission—and it was an honor to be part of their team.
I left with my heart full of expectations and my suitcases overflowing with emotion, but none of it truly prepared me for what I would experience. Uganda is a country that gets under your skin—it leaves a mark. Its reality shakes you, opens your eyes to a world that changes you from within. It makes you feel both smaller and greater at the same time. It’s impossible to remain indifferent, because the people welcome you as one of their own, yet they also show you the harshness of their daily challenges.
Once in Uganda, I had the opportunity to put my skills into practice and see firsthand how teamwork and professionalism can truly make a difference.
Among the most meaningful projects was the one involving St. James School Biina in Kampala, a school that had lost most of its desks due to a devastating fire. With our help, we managed to provide new desks, giving the children a better learning environment. But what moved me most was the children's smiles, the gratitude of the principal and the teachers—finally seeing hope return to their eyes. That moment, that simple act of support, had a far greater impact than I could have ever imagined.
In parallel, with the Kope and Kopango team, we launched a project that excited me deeply: the creation of two innovative desk prototypes—one in traditional wood and one in bamboo, an eco-friendly material that presents a unique opportunity for Uganda. We worked together with Cowa, a vocational school active in international cooperation, and Amabanda Uganda, a young company dedicated to the collection and processing of bamboo.
Although we have not yet completed the full production of these desks, our design has already become a reality, and the prototypes represent an important step toward a new era of education in Uganda—one that is more sustainable and innovative. The professionalism I saw in Marco and Carmen, and in the work of Kope and Kopango, taught me how crucial skills and expertise are to working in this field.
International cooperation is not just about goodwill—it’s about the ability to plan, monitor, and implement actions that have a lasting impact on people and communities. Every step we took, every project we started, was built on a solid foundation of skills, knowledge, and—above all—a passion for change.
This experience enriched me in ways I never could have imagined.
I had the privilege of working side by side with extraordinary people, discovering incredible realities, and witnessing how cooperation and commitment can lead to tangible results. I learned that change is possible—that even a small action, if carried out with dedication, can make a difference.
I returned home transformed, with a bigger heart and a fuller soul. I saw the world from a new perspective and realized that when you work with passion and competence, every gesture counts. But what touched me most was seeing the eyes of those children—filled with hope, trust, and life. And in those moments, I understood that, in the end, what truly makes us rich is the ability to touch other people’s lives, to be part of something greater than ourselves.
This experience, which taught me so much about the value of solidarity, the importance of professional skills in cooperation, and the love for “Mama Africa,” is a chapter of my life I will always treasure. And it is in these very moments that I realized what stayed with me most is not just the projects or the results achieved, but the humanity I encountered—the beauty of the connections formed when people unite for a common purpose. Every step I took, every smile I received, taught me that true wealth lies in the ability to give, to build bridges between cultures, to make a real and authentic difference.
And as I look to the future, I can’t help but think that—even if small—my contribution was part of something much bigger: a better future for those in need, a world we can truly change, one step at a time.
Pino
