How did this start?

...as many stories, by coincidence - and a multitude of life-parameters that fit together like cogwheels when decisions need to be made. Being a 'veteran' of Deutsche Bank's Corporate Social Responsibility activities I used to maintain an ongoing relationship with the Indian microfinance bank I had worked for in 2008. Out of this relationship, I found myself in a meeting with a representative of Mann Deshi Bank and our CSR team in Frankfurt, that took place in November 2012. In the context of this occasion the question was raised whether I would be interested in resourcing another CSR project – this time in Uganda!

Things evolved quickly – two weeks and a telephone call later we agreed to go ahead. My bosses, who were not yet aware of my 'extracurricular' activities were surprised, but ultimately supportive of the idea of myself being out of the job for 4 weeks. At this point, it should be mentioned that our team's resource utilization was – mildly formulated – 'slightly above average', which underlines the Bank’s commitment to the idea of corporate social responsibility. 

The following weeks I was busy with preparations on and off the job – closing and kicking off projects, handing them over wherever feasible, informing friends & family, shopping for the ‘jungle experience’, vaccinations against all diseases of this universe, visa, accommodation, flights, transfers, … - a sheer endless list of things one would never think of. In the meantime the second fellow for the project, Felix von Schmeling had joined, covering the first part of the project that is related to teaching students and lecturers.

By January 2013, all dates were set and the mission finally agreed. Felix and myself are expected in Kampala, Uganda's capital city on Sunday, 17. February 2013.