Liz Jackson has volunteered in Uganda twice as a dental nurse, in September 2024 and again in February 2026. Here, in her own words, is what the missions mean to her.
“It’s something that’s in me”
“I’ve always wanted to volunteer. It’s something that’s been in me since I was in school. I live in a rural area, a small village in County Kilkenny, and it’s amazing how much a community can come together to support me.”
Ireland in Uganda
“One thing I didn’t realise before going over is that there were so many Irish people in Uganda! Our national sports, hurling and Gaelic football, are played in six clubs in Uganda. Then I came across another Irish person who had set up Irish Dancing Uganda, and there are lots of Ugandan children doing Irish dancing. I went to visit these clubs, and when I came back and showed my photos, people couldn’t believe that these kids are there with the hurleys, playing the Irish sports. It’s amazing.”
First impressions
“My first impression of Uganda when you get there is that it’s such a beautiful country. I couldn’t believe how green it was. The scenery is just amazing. It was amazing how quickly you get into setting up the clinics. Everybody is hands on and everyone just takes a part.”
Good dentistry, without the modern clinic
“The clinics are very different because we don’t have electricity and we don’t have running water. It’s not like your everyday clinic. We don’t have all the modern equipment, but it’s amazing how you can still provide very good dental treatment, be very professional in your job and provide really good care to people who are so appreciative of it.”
“Some of these people have been in pain for a long time. They’ve never seen a dentist in their lives because they can’t afford it. Suddenly we come along and help them, and they’re so grateful. That really warms your heart. The kids are always smiling and they’re so happy. They have so little, yet they don’t see it like that. I think every Ugandan person has such a happy demeanour. They’re always smiling.”
Hundreds of patients in a day
“The more you see of that, and the more you immerse yourself in it, the better it feels, because you’re providing so much. You’re talking about hundreds of patients seen in a day in some cases, so it’s a huge amount of turnaround. But it’s great. People come in in pain, and when they leave the pain is gone and they’re so happy.”
I get more than I can ever give. It’s nourishment for the soul going on these missions.
Again and again
“The experience has made me want to do it again and again. It shows that dentistry can be carried out in the most rural areas, without all the modern equipment, to get people out of pain and suffering. It’s so rewarding and I get so much out of it.”
Inspired by those missions, Liz joined Dr Geofrey Okeny, “The Dental Man”, in founding Yot Kom Missions International and building a lasting partnership between Ireland and Uganda. Read how Yot Kom began.
