This intern traded office walls for radio towers, working with Bosco Uganda across remote districts. From installing lightning protection to troubleshooting networks and powering up ICT centers, every task kept communities connected.
The real lesson? How technical skills like crimping cables, upgrading solar panels, reactivating systems create real change. An internship measured not in days, but in problems solved and lives impacted. Below is The experience of Mercy Alum.
During my internship with Bosco Uganda, I got a chance to go to the field that is at Radio Maria tower site in gulu, Pader and Agago districts respectively with a technical team. While in the field, we visited the local communities around to work on and upgrade solar powered systems and to do internet connectivity and management.
As a team, we did earthing and installation of lightning arrestors and ethernet surge protectors. The lightning arrestors help to keep the tower and solar system safe from being struck and destroyed by lightning, while the ethernet surge protectors keep the internet equipment safe from electrical shocks. I was able to learn how to crimp straight through cables with RJ45s, install these equipment and know their importance in protecting big systems from damage.
We also checked and looked at network equipment like routers and switches to make sure they were functioning well as supposed to be. where there was a fault, we fixed it so as the people in the area could continue using the internet smoothly.
We also did windows activations of the computers at some of the ICT centers like at blessed Daudi okelo and jildo irwa ICT center in pader parish-pader district and gwok ma inongo ICT center in kokil-kalongo in Agago district respectively.
Furthermore, we were able to climb communication towers to upgrade solar panels that power the system. Some of the members climbed up the tower to dismantle, fix and adjust solar panels, while others including me gave in supporting hands from the ground by passing tools and rendering help where needed. We worked as a team to get work done efficiently and effectively.
We also cleaned battery boxes, worked on and replaced some damaged wires and did reconnections to make sure the system was charging well. The solar system powers devices that aid communication and internet connectivity especially in areas with limited or no access to electricity.
Finally, what I enjoyed most was interacting with the community natives, teamwork spirit, learning new skills on site practically and knowing that our work was helping people in the local areas to stay connected. Through this experience, I have got to know more about solar power, internet systems and connections and the power and value of working together to serve the community.
