Through Her Eyes- Vanessa Yu

My name is Vanessa, a Taiwanese intern currently serving at Aitenga Uganda. From the first moment I stepped into the Aitenga office, I was surrounded by a kind of love that is not expressed through words but shown through actions. Every small task, every shared responsibility, and every collective dream reflected a deep and quiet care. For the first time, I saw a team so unified around one goal. Even the name “Aitenga” carries their mission: Africa and Kitenge, woven together to carry out the Love from Above.

During my time here, I came to realize that what slows this team down is not a lack of dedication or vision. Rather, it is the simple reality of working with limited digital tools, unstable internet connections, and aging equipment. These are not barriers in the traditional sense, but everyday challenges that they approach with creativity and persistence. I watched them adapt constantly, finding alternative ways to continue their work without hesitation. Efficiency here is not taken for granted; it is something they build, step by step, through teamwork.

At the center of this community is a remarkable leader named Lillian. She pays close attention to details, not because she seeks perfection, but because she understands that behind every decision lies the potential to affect real lives. In this office, no task feels small, and no person is overlooked.

What I learned most deeply is the heart of obedience within this team. Each member willingly follows leadership, not out of obligation, but because they share a unified purpose. Their humility and willingness to submit remind me of biblical examples of unity and service.

As for my role, I have applied my skills in Canva and artificial intelligence to support the team in design work, marketing, and training. What seems ordinary to students in my country—using AI to streamline tasks—becomes transformative here. Teaching these tools felt meaningful, knowing they could save valuable time and energy. Far from replacing human effort, technology here serves as a tool to empower and uplift.

I also joined the team in a live sales event, where we showcased handmade products created by women who, through Aitenga’s tailoring program, now have the skills to earn their own income. Every piece sold carried not just fabric, but dignity.

One of the most moving parts of my experience was visiting Kawempe Hospital as part of the “Carry with Love” project. Together with our partners, we delivered kangaroo carriers to mothers of premature babies. These simple cloth carriers give fragile infants what machines cannot, the warmth and heartbeat of their mothers, creating not just physical closeness, but a chance for life.

My time at Aitenga taught me that carrying love is not a metaphor. It is a daily decision. Sometimes it looks like sharing knowledge. Sometimes it looks like sewing clothes. And sometimes, it simply looks like placing a tiny baby against its mother’s chest, and trusting that life can grow from there.

Aitenga doesn’t just carry the Love from Above.

Here, they live it.

我是 Vanessa，一名來自臺灣的實習生，目前在烏干達的 Aitenga 參與服事。從踏進辦公室的第一天起，我便感受到一種無需言說的愛。這份愛藏在每一個任務裡，流露在彼此協作的過程中，也體現在他們共同背負的使命之中。這是我第一次看到一個團隊，能如此同心合意地為一個目標而努力。Aitenga 這個名字本身就代表著這份使命，「Africa」與當地布料「Kitenge」結合，象徵著將「從上而來的愛」承載出去。

在這段實習期間，我慢慢體會到，阻礙這個團隊的，不是對使命的熱情或願景，而是現實中所面對的種種挑戰。他們所使用的數位工具有限，網路連線常常不穩，設備也逐漸老舊。但我不曾聽見任何抱怨。他們把這些困難視為日常，並用創意與韌性去面對。每一位同工都在努力尋找方法，提升效率成為他們共同的目標，而不是理所當然的條件。他們用行動證明，資源不足不是停下腳步的理由。

在這樣的環境中，有一位特別的領袖讓我印象深刻。Lillian 總是細心留意每一個細節，因為她明白，每一個決定背後，都牽動著無數生命。這裡的工作氛圍，讓我感受到真正的團隊精神。沒有人被忽略，每一項任務都被當作重要的事來完成。

然而，讓我學到最多的，是這個團隊所展現出來的「順服」。他們不是因為命令而服從，而是因為有共同的異象與使命。他們所呈現的，是一種聖經所描述的謙卑與合一。

至於我，我用我擅長的領域去參與這份工作。我運用 Canva 與人工智慧技術，協助團隊完成設計、行銷與教學培訓。這些在我國家學生眼中再自然不過的技能，在這裡卻帶來了巨大的轉變。當我將這些工具分享給同工時，內心充滿感動。因為我知道，這些技巧能為他們節省許多寶貴的時間與精力。AI 並不是取代人工，而是幫助她們走得更遠，做得更多。

我也參與了一場線上直播，銷售由婦女們親手製作的產品。透過 Aitenga 的裁縫培訓，這些曾經沒有收入來源的婦女，如今擁有了屬於自己的能力與尊嚴。每一件作品，都承載著她們邁向自主的希望。

最令我感動的，是參與「用愛承載」計畫。我們走進卡溫佩醫院，將袋鼠揹巾親手交到早產兒母親的懷裡。這些看似簡單的揹巾，卻能帶來醫療設備無法給予的溫暖與心跳。嬰兒貼近母親的身體，獲得的不只是安全感，更是生命的機會。

回顧這段日子，我明白了，「承載愛」並不只是口號，而是一種每天的選擇。有時是分享一個技巧，有時是縫製一件衣服，有時，只是一位母親把嬰兒抱在懷裡，讓生命在那裡慢慢成長。

Aitenga 不只是將從上而來的愛帶到人們當中。

在這裡，他們正在活出這份愛。