Wednesday 18 February 2015

wednesday AfriDACA By Nathan, Jaden and Joe


We’re half way through the teaching experience within the Acholi community and it still doesn’t fail to shock you and make you appreciate the smallest things within our lives.
The tea didn’t disappoint last night, our hosts made us a nice traditional English meal; fish and chips. It made those who were missing the comforts of home feel much better. Whilst in debrief last night in triplets we was sharing what amazed us about the previous day and when it got to our triplet of Jaden, Joe and Nathan it seemed that Joe got a little nervous when speaking and let out a trump which were rather amusing.
When we turned up to the Acholi community this morning we were greeted by the children with another rockstar welcome, it still feels surreal and incredibly overwhelming. In the larger church we had another fun filled day packed with activities including clay model making of vehicles which we were all surprised to see how creative they were, the only challenging part was making sure that they didn’t eat the clay. The most satisfying part for Joe and Jack today was teaching a little Acholi boy named Daniel how to write his name. As it was half way through the week we all have started to feel the long days catching up to us, the realisation of what some of the kids must go through everyday makes it minute in comparison and spares us on.     
Meanwhile in the small church, we were again fascinated with how creative and quick the children learned. The most notable things within the day were when the children wrote their own stories and drew their own pictures. One child drew and incredibly amazing picture of a car which really had us amazed, we was starting to realize how talented they are but they just aren’t in the right environment to really excel with their talent. In the crafts lessons with both groups we sang songs again which we learned from church on the first day! They really love the singing and dancing due to their faith in god as he is the reason they remain so happy and hopeful that things will change within their lives. In the second half of the crafts lesson we let the kids do some finger painting and we had never seen them so quiet, they really got into it and enjoyed it, it was brilliant. In the small church there were two older children who were significantly more talented than the others in maths so the teachers chose two students (Joseph and Victoria) from the big church to help them in a one to two session as the big church had more staff to teach.
After both finished teaching in the big and small church half of the group went to visit the houses of the Acholi citizens in their triplets. The other half went to a free area where loads of children gathered to greet and play with the mzungu’s, it was absolutely wild! At one point I think I had at least 10 kids on each arm. John had a group in the corner which he was teaching dance moves which were rather amusing to view whilst the others played football, catch and other sports.
Just demolished the best meal of the week so far. Pasta, veggie curry and japatis went down a treat with the whole team.
Lots of love from the lads on the comfy couch… and the rest of the Afridaca  team. XXXXXX

P.s Jack and Joe say that Cadbury’s chocolate fingers taste exactly the same.




















































25 comments:

Unknown said...

Loving the skipping pic Mollie,you guys are doing a fab job. Sending big hugs xx love lots Mollie xx aunty Chrisi,uncle Tim and Jenson xxx

Unknown said...

This looks amazing your doing such a good job! Tom wheres your tan? Thought it was hot out there!! Big love sinead x

Unknown said...

So proud of you tom so want to be there too. I quite like you being away I get to invade your space, sleep in your comfy bed watch Netflix on your big telly. Ive been Manchester with Courteney today we have had such a good day she bought me a bath bomb and earrings shes my sister in law already! Im loving it. See you soon lots of love your favourite sister alana. (I hope your cringing to this)

Unknown said...

Hi Lewis!
Sounds and looks like your having a great experience of life in a different environment!
Your work looks engaging and can only benefit both yourself and the others who you are working with. I can imagine that at times your work and surroundings can be a little hard on the old emotional heartstrings but as life has shown me on many occasion, you can't help everyone and the ones that you can help you do to the best of your fantastic ability!
Keep doing what your doing and focus on the here & now rather than the past!
We're all buzzin for you and the best news is yet to come.... Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers in the next round of the FA Cup.... at ours!!!! Guess you'll be crying yourself to sleep that night after Rovers get whooped! ahaha!
Love Dad X

Unknown said...

Hi guys,
Glad to see you've contributed to the blog Jay. Seeing the team with the children melts my heart and makes me so proud. You're doing an amazing job. Just look at the smiles on their faces! Brilliant! I love seeing you's with the children, loving the pictures! Every one of our students look like actual teachers! You're a natural Jaden! Can't wait to see you all!
Love you lots(so does Harriet)
Love Katie xxx

Unknown said...

Fantastic pics once again! Nice to see you smiling on the pics Jack, you look like you're having a great time. Jess says hi and that she's really proud of you! I'll make sure I've got some chocolate fingers in for your return then you can compare. But can they knock a tuna pasta up as good as your mum?!?! ;) Love you loads, miss you loads Mum, Dad, Lewis and of course the Rockster! xxxx

margaret maher said...

Hi jodie look like you all are doing great with the children look like they enjoy everything keep up the good work all of you .and keep the pictures coming love nan and grandad x x

Unknown said...

Hi guys
fantastic post as always. It all seemed a bit more positive today- the one day I didn't end up crying with the content, but cause it was my son that contributed!
Hope you are getting plenty of rest in the evenings as your days seem so jam packed!

Jaden, the pic that was posted of you with the children yesterday- someone said you looked like Prince William on it!!!Obviously with a lot more hair! ha ha.

Looking forward to seeing all your smiling faces on Sunday;and you WILL be smiling I am sure, despite the long trip home.
Hope you aren't all too homesick, enjoy the experience whilst you are there.
again, big thanks to DACA for allowing the kids to be involved.

PS Liverpool v Rovers is Sunday 8th March at 4pm. xx

Unknown said...

hi drew, hope your not homesick and getting the most out of your time there. some great pictures of you and the whole team, looks amazing so proud of you and me and mum are well jel!!!
if your not fed up of curry all the family are going out sunday when you get back cant wait to hear all your stories.
Mum says she cant wait for a cuddle.
look forward to reading the next blog and seeing the pictures have a good evening and enjoy tomorrow.

keep up the fab work team
love mum and vics xxxxxx
p.s daisy misses you meow xxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Joe and the team....another fab post....you are all doing such a great job!! Can`t wait for the next blog...Millie and Harry are mesmerized by the photo`s.
P.s Joe...you have always been a bit windy!!! xxxxx

Unknown said...

Hiya Team
Wow you sound like you're working hard and with the emotional aspect you must be shattered! Push it out, you've not long left now and you'll be back home in the cold :) I've been freezing today!
Mackenzie I love the photo of you having your hair done. I'm really proud of you!
Love you millions and can't wait to see you on Sunday! I'm gonna give you a massive mama hug (sorry if that embarrasses you but I'm missing our hugs)
Enjoy the rest of your time in Uganda
Mama, Gary and Lula xxxx
Ps still no pups! She is very fat and must be waiting for you haha xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Nathan,
So glad to read a blog which I hope you contributed to writing. I hope the whole teaching experience there is keeping your passion to go into teaching alive. Make the most out of every minute and keep enjoying it , its not an experience many people get and you and the Afridaca team are extremely lucky to share this journey together. Thank you to everyone who has made this trip happen. Today's blog seemed more upbeat. The photo's are amazing and make you realize just how lucky we are here in the UK. Just remember that Nathan when your having a moan :p.
Nice to read you've been eating well. Lincoln is counting the days until your home so he can have Miami, I bet you have missed that. They will be wondering where you have vanished too.
We all read the blog everyday ( well I have to read to Lincoln ). He's missing you but won't admit it. The cats have been making the most of you not being here and been sleeping their days away on your bed.
You will be happy to know Mum knows you sent 8 texts and I only get one. I think that shows your not homesick.
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday. I will be at the airport waiting for you so look out for me ( yes a change in plans due to the circumstances ).
Sending lots of Hugs & Loves your way.
Love your very proud Mum, Andrew , Lincoln & Grandma. xox.

Unknown said...

Brilliant pictures guys and a wonderful blog. Toby hello from us all grandma and grandad Walsh are keeping track of you sure they will want you round for tea one night next week to have a full low down keep safe all of you x x x ps Travis happy birthday x x

Unknown said...

Another rewarding day I see- those kids are just adorable- you lot are just going from strength to strength and massively making a difference to those fantastic people out there- the learning is very much a two way thing and I know you will have learnt so much too about yourself and life, in the short time you have been there.Great to see lots of smiles on pics today and hey Mollie- you show them how to skip girl!!! Haha- Molls, can't believe you have been gone for less than a week- seems forever, on the positive saved a fortune in petrol from not taxiing you around:) hehe- love you soooo very much and counting days until Sunday- love to all the rest of you amazing afridaca team too xxxx mum dad and maisie xxx

Unknown said...

Hey Travis,
Hope youv had a great birthday, we are all missing you loads.Tayla missing fighting with you and xena missing her walks (I am walking her)
Fantastic photos and blog as usual,just been watching kampala on the TV with comic relief.
Thinking of you always
Mum,dad,tayla,nana and grandad xxx

nicola maher said...

Another great blog tonight ,I think this will make a difference to the kid's out there & to each of you keep up all the good work ,missing you Jodie Love Mum Dad Luke & Karl xxxxxxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Hey Tom,
We are all so proud of you. Im suprised just how much im missing you!
I have everyone reading the blogs and a pic of you in Uganda has more facebook likes than most teenagers selfies!
Been to Manchester today with sinead, alana and cj, another fab restaurant...
just testing them for when you come home.
Dads 'nowt to tell ya' except one a piece to Cardiff blackburn last night!!!!
Love Mum x

Unknown said...

Fantastic stuff guys. Great to see some pics of Uganda to remind me of my time there. Reading the blog through tears at times (which won't surprise Helen)! You've all done well to go out there, let alone what you're doing this week. Half way through already... let it get under your skin and deep in your minds, as well as in your emotions. Hi to the CRED leaders and to John&Sophie. God bless, Dan Potter

Unknown said...

Hey Lewis and afriDaca team, great footage again, keep them coming as its really inspiring to see the good work.
Hope you all loving the experience and still got loads of energy to keep you going.
Lillie-May has missed seeing you on her visit up north, currently trying to tie my shoe laces together. She is such a chatter box, hope them kids are having fun with you guys too!
Ethan sends you his love and has beaten Auntie Vicky at Bowling twice, so he's buzzing.
I have been telling all my clients how proud of you I am as is rest of the family.
Can't wait to see you.
Lots of love
Mum, Ethan, G, auntie Vicky, Lillie-May and Lily dog.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Jack,
Missing you a lot more than I thought I would haha. You look like you're having a good time which is great to see! Loving the Afro, must be killing you not being able to do your hair.
I'm so proud of you, I've just posted one of your curly pictures in the group chat with the caption 'rkid' just because it was too good an opportunity to miss embarrassing you. Keep up the good work, me and Fac are awaiting your return, love always, Taneesha x

margaret maher said...

Good morning jodie and all the team another day at making all them children happy with the hard work you are all doing the staff must be proud of you all just like we are x x

Unknown said...

Hi Daddy,
Loved 'Wally' spotting today! We spotted them - sorry we don't know the students names but definitely two pictures! Thank you!
Love Isaac
(Thank you to all of you for playing along - it's helping Isaac as he really misses his Daddy and gives him something to look forward to doing!
The pictures of the children are gorgeous. Those smiles are all due to the hard work and love you have lavished on them. You should be immensely proud of all that you have, and are, achieving).
Isaac's Mum x

Unknown said...

Hi Mr Sayle (Dil)

Great to be able to follow this journey with you reading and seeing the photos on the blog!! It's a great privilege for us to have access to modern technology - it does have its uses in a positive way at times.
Really hope that God opens up your mind and heart in a way you could never imagine.
Great to see the students communicating face to face with these children without the distractions of phones and computers etc.

Keep going and it won't be long before you can share all your thoughts and feelings with us back home and hopefully we can all learn from this experience and get excited about what God may have in store in our future!!

Sending you lots of love from your amazing wife Ali. (And the kids of course) xxx

Unknown said...

I've got blog withdrawal ! Lol awaiting your next adventures & pics with baited breath - luv u mollie xxxx mum, dad & Maisie & luv to everyone of u amazing afridaca team xxx

Linda said...

Hi, Joe and all, We are loving the blogs and pictures. So proud of you.
Can not wait to hear more about your time there.
Haha Joe you are definitely a windy Harwood. Love the Jones xx