see you Teacher Grace!

 Blessed Word Children's Club
Last Friday we had our last kids club at the lovely Blessed Word of Life Church. All five of us gappers, plus Moses and Nic were there to say farewell. We started with lots of songs and games and I even led a song in Luganda! 

Setting up before the children arrived

Singing

Playing 'under over'

We sat the children down and explained to them that we were going back to England and showed them a world map so they could see Uganda and England. Some of the children then did little performances for us - singing and dancing - one of the boys who comes every week sung us a goodbye song and burst into tears! Then we cut the cake and shared it round as well as some biscuits and bananas.

Group photo

Cake!

Afterwards we had a little bit of time just playing with the children. Bubbles and balloons and cuddles! Then we gave each child a bracelet as a goodbye present (some of which had been sent to me by 1st Northampton Girls' Brigade - thank you!). Some of the older girls started crying when it was time for us to leave which tugged on our heart strings for sure! The children at Blessed Word are so lovely and we will certainly miss them. 

Us with some of the Blessed guys

Farewell Party
On Saturday afternoon we had a party at the Smile House for all our friends and the people that we've been working with over these months. I love the parties here at the house as it's always a lovely day full of music and laughter - and food! Towards the end of the party they made each of us give a short speech before we had cake! I have made such wonderful friends out here and can't even imagine how much I'm going to miss them all. 

Hassan

Anna and I showing Hassan how to do the 'Essex pose'

Jon

Teacher Monica and Teacher Ruth from RMC

Bosco

Equator Trip
After church on Sunday we headed for the Equator! 2 hours and 7000 shillings later we arrived in the Southern hemisphere! It was good to see a bit more of the country and do something a bit more touristy!

Equator selfie 

Retail Therapy

On Monday morning we went to visit one of the widows, Susan. She makes jewellery for a living and we went round to buy some presents for our loved ones back home. The four of us girls were in absolute heaven when she brought out bags and bags of necklaces and bracelets! Jon was not so interested! It was great to get some gifts to take home and also support one of the widows we have come to know and love. The rest of the day was spent in Kampala at the craft markets!

beads, beads and more beads!

 Ruth Mother Care
On Tuesday we went to school for a farewell presentation. My Girls' Brigade company back at home had raised money to buy sports equipment for the school and so we were able to use that. We showed the children and teachers how to use the various things; beanbags, eggs and spoons, dice and balls! It was lots of fun and the children really enjoyed the races and games, Teacher Ruth was also eager to have a go! We saved the best til last with the parachute. The children were so excited by it and we had to keep an eye on lots of baby class members as they kept running underneath! As it's dry season here, the excitement of the children + the parachute = a lot of dust being whipped up!!

Teacher Ruth balancing a beanbag on her head for the race!

Beanbag races with middle class

Egg and spoon race with top class

Parachute fun

After break, the children put on a performance for us. They sang to us and performed some dance routines which was so lovely. It included a song that said goodbye to each of us individually. We have really fallen in love with this school and I wish we could stay and work there!

On Wednesday we went to the zoo with Ruth Mother Care.

Photos will follow!

Tomorrow we have the last children's club at FBC and I think it's going to break my heart!