For many of you who know me, there are two things that must be surprising you right about now:
1. The fact I have decided on a ‘plan’
2. The fact I have decided to stick around in England!
This is just a quick introduction but we will delve deeper another time…
For those of you who do not know me – my name is Jess Dugdale and I am 24 years old. My family has been based in Romsey and Braishfield since my parents got married and I’ve been coming and going ever since!
In 2009 my family moved to Uganda as our parents set up the charity ServeDirect (definitely check it out!) with another couple. My sister and I went to international school in Kampala, Uganda and had a great time growing up there.
Jinja is a town in Uganda, well-known for its white water rafting and for being the source of the Nile. When creating the name, it seemed suitable to create a link between Uganda and England, hence ‘Lemon and Jinja’!
I first moved back to England for university, which was a big shock, and continued to visit Uganda. I studied Management with Marketing and then completed a Masters in International Management straight after (both at Exeter).
A week after handing in my dissertation I had booked a flight to Uganda and headed back again! I went to intern with Rhino Fund Uganda, mainly to help them with their marketing. It was honestly one of the best experiences I had (I will post about it another time) and I am always recommending it to anyone and everyone!
After that I was a manager of a safari lodge in a Ugandan game park for five months, before heading back to the UK. So when I say people are surprised I am settling in the UK, and WITH a plan, you can now understand why!
I am so excited for this adventure and will update you on Lemon & Jinja as much as I can. I cannot thank you enough for your support so far and look forward to working with you all.
Love, Lemon & Jinja X
