Saturday 19 October 2013

Friday and Saturday - Uganda team


Airport slumber party anyone? 
Apparently camping out in termanal 4 for 9 hours before a 4am check in is very tiring! After queueing for an hour infront of the checkin desks we finally got through, appart from Nicole, but we're happy to say that she'll be joining us Tuesday evening.
We managed to visit four countries in a day, travelling over Uganda for a pit stop in Kigali, Rwanda. We landed at Entebbe airport at 10pm local time and, filling two buses, made it to where we're staying by 12.30am.

Because of how late we got in, we were allowed a lazy morning, with a nice English style brunch.  A group of us went for a walk lead by one of the people here and we saw loads of young children and their families. We also came across a Woolworths! It was very hot and uphill so we were all very sweaty and tired. When we came back we were briefed about the day and set off at 1pm to the Alcholi Community.
The welcome we got was incredible. All the children ran up to us and grabbed our hands, showing us their home. The love they had for us and just life in general was overwhelming and tugged at the strings of all of our hearts. We then visited the women in the community, where they taught us how to make beads out of paper – something none of us would've ever thought to do. The jewellery they were creating was all so pretty and we even have the chance to buy some this evening. One of the women, who was sixteen, younger than a lot of us, already has six children of her own. It was hard to hear because I think of what I feel about myself and starting a family at this age is something most of us don't even think of until we are atleast 20. We sat down individually with a woman to learn how to make the beads and the one to one experience helps to put their lives and the way they live into perspective.
After, we went down to play with all the children. We got them singing and dancing to ring-a-ring-a-roses, heads shoulders knees and toes and if you're happy and you know it! They loved it and they picked up the dance moves very quickly which shows us they just want to learn. It made us feel so happy and proud of what we are doing. Even though we are going back to visit them on Saturday it was hard leaving them today. Some of the children got quickly attatched to individual people, where they'd hold our hands and then fight off other children who tried to hold the hand they were holding.
Harriet, the community leader of the ladies group, showed us around part of their community, including the quarry where most of them work breaking up rocks. We got to see the children quicky before we left, which was a little calmer and we were able to interact with smaller groups; teaching them to count, skipping and just generally having fun.

It is only the second day and already it has been an emotional rollercoaster but such an amazing expirience. Everyone here is missing everyone at home and say a massive hello to their parents, carers and friends.


Written by Susannah & Ali – love and miss you all and can't wait to share my stories with you! Mum, stop crying and get Sara out of my room xxxx – can't believe I'm in Uganda! I love you mummy! The moon was beautiful last night :) xxx


























21 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow! What a fabulous first day. Looks amazing and humbling. Love to you all especially my Rach. Xxxx ps. Beautifully written blog, Susannah and Ali xx

Unknown said...

looks like you all had a great first day! :D glad you're smiling and having fun Hannah! (bisons beat Manchester 4-2!) told you I would blog! ;)
Great to know you're okay and having a good time, I love you :) x
p.s I haven't opened gta yet ;D I'm doing well!

joolsbk said...

How proud we can be of our students and staff from TLA. Continue to feel every moment of your experience and to support each other with what you are learning about yourself and others.

Deborah Hurst said...

Helloooooo, sounds like your all having a wonderful experience, take care , lots of love to Lucy Hurst, queeny and prince missing you, mum and dad enjoying the peace!!! Xxxx

Deborah Hurst said...

Ohhh and just in case your worried!!! William arrived safely in Ethiopia!! Xx

Unknown said...

Wow, how amazing. I'm lost for words for once! Enjoy every second xx keep up the great work guys xx Ali, we're all so proud of you and love you millions xxx and, yes, what a beautiful moon! Xxx

Bill said...

Glad you are enjoying it, mum has stopped crying but we can't get Sara out of your room, all those lovely clothes, love you lots mum, dad and sara

Unknown said...

see you having a wonderful time missin u loads love you mum xxxx

George said...

hi meg x how many bracelets !!!!!!! we all miss you lots and lots xx

jane west said...

Hello Jess
Glad to see you all arrived safely - missing you already but very proud.
Lots of love Mum and Adam xx

Unknown said...

Chelsea
Hope you are enjoying your adventure. Miss you lots love Mum and Dad

Unknown said...

What a tiring day you had travelling! Looks fantastic in the photos. Lots of love to Cobi...Hope you are enjoying it..We miss you lots Mum Dad and Lana x x x

Unknown said...

Wow you have just arrived and have already done so much! Looks amazing! Me and Lina have been trying to find Laila in all the pics! So make sure you get some close ups Laila! :)We are all very excited for you, what an amazing experience (a little bit jealous!)Everyone sends their love, you are a big miss out of the house! Amira xx
p.s Laith took his first steps today!

Unknown said...

Wonderful photos! It is lovely to see photos of Hanna! So very proud of you all!! Love you so much Hanna, all of the family x

Lois said...

Hi Hannah, hope you're having a good time in Uganda, looks like the children are having lots of fun with you all, very proud of you all. Love all the photos. Hope your cold has gone now. love and miss you loads. Mum, Dad , Emma and Rio xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Em, pleased that you all arrived safely.You all seem to be having a good time the photos are super ,its good to be able to see where you are and who you are with. take care ots of love Mum, Dad and Harry xxx

Unknown said...

It's me again Hanna... Unfortunately Mum cannot seem to figure out how to blog haha you know what she's like! Hopefully she will work it out, if not I will help her next time I see her. Mum sends her love, she is very happy to see that you all look safe and well. The house is very quiet without you around, missing you already! Love you so much Hanna, Mum and Kiko x

Unknown said...

Hi Jess glad you all arrived safely,dad says his very very proud of you as I am to, but dad said can you get yourself in some more pictures lol,missing you lots of love dad Tania, Shannon & Alfie xxx

Unknown said...

hey alex! loving all the pics on here! actually cried whilst reading the blog about ur time already in Uganda! mum loves & misses you & leo says hi! lots of love from us all! xxlilyxx

Unknown said...

Pictures look awesome! I hope you're having a great time.
See you soon :*

Mark said...

Hi re hope u ok u look like u r can't wait for u to come home have the best time ever while u r there might never get a chance again not if we have our way lol lots of luv cu soon nanny and marky xxxxxx