Monday 21 October 2013

Uganda Team (Monday): We hit the streets and we see why we are here!


Today we visited club house for the first time. The club house is part of Retrak who aim to provide the children on the streets a safe, friendly place to go where they can have catch up lessons and move into foster care if they wish.

Some of the things we saw in clubhouse were difficult to process.  We saw six year old boys high off glue who, when half of our team went on the outreach walk with the leader, were brought back to clubhouse.

You could never imagine seeing someone so young, so helpless, being so unaware of their surroundings due to the impact of drugs.  This is the purpose of why we are here.

We spent the day at clubhouse, Bulamu and Tudabejja javing a tour of the retrak organsitions and playing games with the children.  When having the tour around the club house and Bulamu we saw the children had no belongings for themselves.  Their bedrooms and classrooms were bland and plain.  Whereas in Tudabejja you can see that more work and guidance to achieve their goals and work towards owning their own belongings.  By the end of the week we hope we can put the same love and compasion into helping clubhouse and Bulamu achieve the same goals, and Tudabejja.

The smiles on their faces when they saw us made all the struggles and emotions throughout the day worth while.  Tommorow we start our lessons and hope that the smiles and enjoyment can carry on and will make a difference to these children's lives.

Chelsea and Abi


Today was such an emotional roller coaster, some of the sights we saw were unbelievable. The Tudabejja team started out by going on a outreach walk and we saw where some of the homes of the street children which was extremely hard to face, the things we saw were unbelievable.

However we then got to visit Tudabejja and it was such a difference. I could hardly believe that these children were living on the streets not that long ago. The transformation from seeing the street kids using drugs, to all of the children dressed in clothes which were not ripped, with a bit of an education, and with a smile on their face.

As soon as we got there, they performed a few dances for us to welcome us. Just seeing their smiles while they were singing and dancing, made the whole room light up. It was such a positive and joyful atmosphere, everyone was smiling and happy. I started talking to one of the boys there and he was telling me all about why he was on the streets.  It was so upsetting but knowing that he was on track to get back with his family and was finally happy, made me overwhelmed with happiness.

I had such an amazing time playing games with the children while they were teaching us their dance moves. I just cannot wait to see them tomorrow and try and help them with their journey and to keep the smiles on their faces!

Sarah







































16 comments:

Unknown said...

hey alex! Looks like you had a emotional day today, we saw a tear in ur eye in 1 of ur pic's. Keep being strong & keep up the good work. Me & mum are so proud of you, everything is fine here, mum loves & misses you - lots of love your crazy family xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Laila, It looks like a truly humbling experience! But wonderful that you can feel like you are making a bit of a difference. Proud of you sis and loving getting to follow your journey online and sharing some of your experience! xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Sue. Great that we can keep up with news of your amazing experiences. Never underestimate the difference you are all making. Love you so much. David, Josh & Hannah.

Lois said...

Hi Hannah, looks like you all had an emotional day, keep up the good work and know that each and everyone of you are making a difference by just being there. I really look forward to the blog and pictures every night, a few more of you in them though Hannah would be nice. P.s. Emma and me have now got your cold, haha thanks babes. Love and miss you, this time next week I will have given you a big hug and kiss.........can't wait!!!!!!! Love mum,dad and Emma xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

hi re looks and sounds full on over there.nice and quite here ! did they get my warning you were going over ? enjoy whilst there, and I am sure your putting more smiles on their faces. proud of you. not going to say I miss you though xx ok miss you take care x

Unknown said...

hi princess. the last comment was from rick. really proud you babe. you are looking well. ruby is counting down the days until you come home(dad has told her just another 5 days and I am not going to burst her bubble) . I told her she needs to share her big sister.miss you loads darling and blog tommorrow

Unknown said...

Hi Lorraine, amber hasnt sat on ur sofa yet missin u loads have fun 2mowr teaching all the children bit of an eye opening for you all 2day miss u xxxx

Unknown said...

Hi crystal glad to see your all having fun. Been good seeing some pictures of you. I did send a message yesterday but don't think you got it. Looks like a tough day today. I am missing you like crazy. Love you millions. Xxx love always mum. Xxx

George said...

Hi Meg,
George looked at the photos and said did you stroke a cow. Bet your'e having an amazing experience. We all miss you, love from all of us xxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Ali xx It's so good being able to follow you and the rest of you on this incredible journey. Keep safe and keep strong. I love you and miss you so much xxx Oatis said to say hi, and good work!! xxx

jane west said...

Hello Jess
Its great seeing the photos and reading the blog - looks like you all had an emotional day
love from Mum and Adam xx

Unknown said...

Hi Hannah, looks like a great experience out there, hope you're having a wonderful time! Looks like everyone is having a good time and you're all making a difference. can't wait for you to come home so you can tell me all about it!! missing you loads! love Lee xxx ps I'm really proud of you xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Susannah, looks like you're enjoying the experience. It's lovely seeing what you're all doing. Love from the extended family in Devon and Cornwall. xxx Auntie Ann xx

jazzy1234 said...

Hey chelsea p, i hope you having a good time but i cant wait until you are back in bournemouth because i got some much to tell you and i missing you so much and jodie is as well. But i also want to say i am so proud you.
Love from your jazzy xx

clive said...

hi ri ri sounds like u had an emotional day keep that beautiful smile on your face ,ruby still missing u and callum sends a grunt keep up the good work u r doin miss u loads love dad xxx

Peter Timblick said...

Hi Sarah, looks like it's an emotional journey your all on, keep smiling and the smiles in the room will become brighter. We are all missing you and looking forward to seeing your new dance steps. Dan is not enjoying his lonely drives to Tesco's. Love Mum Dad and Dan..xxx