JGI Uganda Education Volunteers

Jules Torti

Jules is from British Columbia, Canada. In the wee hours of night several months ago she was wondering how she could possibly marry her passions: the environment, an unbeatable love for animals, travel and writing. Not able to imagine seven years of schooling to obtain a masters in zoology (at least at the moment), Jules realized she could contribute her writing and editing skills to an organization like the Jane Goodall Institute. Her stars aligned, and there was a volunteer posting for an individual interested in compiling and editing a book on the tribes and totems of Uganda. Local children from 40 schools had submitted over 500 entries to the call for submissions. As part of the Roots & Shoots program, this book will be distributed to local schools in Uganda, and sold at eco-tourist sites like Budongo Jules jumped at the opportunity. As a Registered Massage Therapist at home, her clientele wasn’t so thrilled with the prospects of her four month absence, but, she had a restless need to stretch her mind and do something “bigger” on this planet.Jules has already found the learning curve she was eager for, and is thrilled to explore and live in a place so many oceans and landscapes away from her home. As an avid birder, she hopes to match a few of the 1,000 bird songs to the appropriate bird body during her time spent in Africa.Jules has been published in Canadian Running, Massage Therapy Canada, The Vancouver Sun, and NOW magazine. She hopes to spin her Ugandan adventures into a book upon her return to Canada.