Hugh O'Donnell MSP writes from Uganda

Hugh O’Donnell, Liberal Democrat MSP for Central Scotland is the first MSP to volunteer in VSO’s new Scottish Parliament Volunteering Scheme. Mr O’Donnell will spend ten days helping the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) which lobbies for the rights of people with disabilities.

Disabled rights is an area Mr O’Donnell has a real active interest in, after working for 15 years with adults with learning disabilities.

There's a cliche that says a camel is a horse designed by a committee, and sometimes it's a truism, but not here in Uganda!

22 people turned up at today's workshop; representing the alliance of disability sector voluntary groups.  Uganda was the first African country to sign and ratify the UN convention on the rights of people with disabilities and now I know why.

They have a can do attitude, a fierce determination and a genuine belief in the cause. Every one of them has a disability, or HIV/Aids, but they run the organisations themselves with some support, a lot of it from VSO and the volunteers like me.

Unlike me these 'internationals' , like Ian and Renata give up a year of their time to support local effort and expertise,: the best I can do is 10 days.

But everything is appreciated and welcomed.