In just a few days, I’ll be boarding a plane to Uganda—a place I’ve never been, to meet people I’ve never met, for a journey that feels deeply personal and entirely unknown.

This trip is unlike anything I’ve done before. It’s not a retreat or a business event or a holiday. It’s a chance to show up—in real life—for something that matters.

I’ve spent months preparing: packing donations, getting vaccinations and my visa, creating a fundraising campaign for the school, organising travel logistics. But emotionally? I’m still catching up.

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Stepping Into the Unknown

There’s a vulnerability in travel like this. I don’t know what I’ll see or how I’ll feel. I don’t know what it will be like to meet the children at Amatsiko Preparatory School, to walk through the classrooms, or to witness first-hand how much hope is wrapped up in their everyday lives.

But that’s the whole point. I’m not going with answers. I’m going with open hands.

Why Showing Up Matters

Showing up is powerful. It’s easy to support causes from a distance, but there’s something transformative about being there. Looking people in the eye. Hearing their stories. Sharing moments face-to-face.

And this isn’t just about giving—it’s about learning. About perspective. About understanding what really matters when you strip everything back.

I already know this experience will shift something in me. As a mum. As a business owner. As a human.

Designing a Life With Purpose

Running Tree Duck Design has always been about more than websites and branding. It’s about helping women build confidence, show up with clarity, and make an impact. This trip reminds me that those values go far beyond a screen.

Whether it’s creating a logo for a Ugandan tour company or standing in front of a class of teenagers with colouring pencils and storybooks, my mission is the same:

To help people feel seen, confident, and empowered to move forward.

I’m not sure what I’ll come back with—stories, yes. Photos, definitely. But also, I think, a deeper understanding of connection, purpose, and what it really means to lead with heart.

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