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