safari!

Sorry it's taken me a while to do this!

Susie, Kathryn, Jon, Brian and I went on safari last week as a little team holiday! Anna stayed behind in Kampala to sort out what she'll be doing on return to England...

We arrived at Murchison Falls National Park on Tuesday 21st January in the morning ready for our safari adventure! We had already seen some monkeys and elephants before we'd even reached the gate so we were very excited!

 As it was safari, I should probably start with some animal photos...

Baboons are actually very intimidating up close!

We stayed in a campsite called Red Chillli Rest Park. They had some little resident warthogs who we'd often find wandering around! We named this one 'when he was a young warthog' (Aimee you won't get this because you've never seen Lion King).

On our second day we went on a boat ride down the River Nile. It lasted three hours and was the highlight of my trip! We saw so many hippos and elephants  - it was amazing! The boat went down to the Murchison Falls waterfall and we climbed out on to a rock to have a photo. We also saw crocodiles and giraffes and all kinds of birds. I don't consider myself much of an animal person but that soon changed when you get so close to such majestic creatures! I was left in awe of the beautiful creation that surrounded me.

On the third day it was Kathryn's birthday! We of course had to abide by the Smile Uganda tradition of soaking the birthday girl with water!

Happy 19th Birthday Kathryn!

We had a fantastic time and lots of photos to prove it!

We're now back at work. We popped down to Chosen School the other day to plan for the upcoming term. We got to catch up with Moses, who stayed with us over Christmas, which was lovely.

Lots of time has been spent in and around the sea container, sorting aid and finding school equipment to give out before the new term starts.

Today we are doing lots of admin for Smile's sponsored children. We've caused some giggles from the local volunteers as we attempt to pronounce some of the Ugandan names! Smile's support of these children is invaluable, and hearing some of their stories is heartbreaking. There are still children who are in need of a sponsor, some of whom we work with week by week - if you're interested.... www.smileinternational.org/sponsor-a-child

Also, if you're on facebook, please like our page! www.facebook.com/smilecharityuganda

Please continue to pray for the work of Smile International and Smile Charity Uganda. Children in Uganda go back to school next week so please remember them too. Thank you so much for all your support and I promise to write a better blog post next time!!

spending january in a tent... (part one!)

We left for KBC's Youth Camp on 6th January. Everyone met at church and after eating chapatis, trying on snapbacks and arranging dates (I will explain) we were on our way!

I know Anna (Dappy) would have wanted me to upload this one

The campsite was called Musana Camps and was about a 3 hour journey in the minibus. It is run by 3 American families who were so lovely and welcoming.

Every morning we were woken up at 6:30am to go jogging, to which we all swiftly declined! We had devotions and then each day we had a guest speaker come to talk to us. We were put into teams for the games - me and Susie were in team B. The games were hilarious and the guys in our team would not accept losing as an option - I thought I was competitive!

the greatest team

On the last day of camp we went on a very long walk through forests and fields and all-sorts! For some reason I thought a skirt and flip flops would be appropriate trekking wear... (I only fell over three times). They led us to a beautiful waterfall which we all jumped into before realising we would have to carry on walking for the next two hours in soggy clothes! After 3 hours we reached the end point... however this seemed to be a rather large drop which we all had to clamber/slip/jump down. Me being me, I managed to fall down the top half before being caught by Innocent, at which point my contact lens fell out, and then I tried to approach the bottom half more successfully but again slipped and fell the rest of the way down. Oops.  

trekking

the gappers in the waterfall

Every afternoon we went swimming. This was so much fun and I adore the sea so this was the closest we were going to get in a landlocked country! We discovered that lots of our Ugandan friends have never been taught how to swim which lead to us all becoming swimming teachers!

On one of the nights we had 'date night' where the guys had to ask a girl to accompany them to dinner! It was an evening full of food and dancing and lots of laughs! The leaders of the camp (including Alex) then treated us to a impromptu dance performance!

It was a really great week and gave us the chance to build on our friendships with the youth of KBC. We had lots of fun and were all encouraged in our faith.

We arrived home from youth camp on Friday to a mammoth pile of washing to do before leaving again on Sunday morning! This time we were off to Goshem School for our Bible week. We arrived at about half 11 and went into the Church service which was "just about to finish". Two hours later it ended! We got to work putting our tents up that would house us for the next week.

cows getting into our tent was a daily concern

Each morning one of us got up with Moses at 6am to make chapatis for breakfast. Then we had devotions together before going up to start work. Every day we had praise and worship with all the children together before they split off into their different classes. During this time I put my South African drumming lesson into practice by playing one of the African drums!

singing on the first day (Teacher Grace and Teacher Moses)

There were four classes. Susie had Infant Class which was children up to year 1. Kathryn had Middle Class which was year 2-3. Anna had Higher class: year 4-5, and Jon had Top Class which was year 6-7. (Primary schools here go up to year 7). Each gapper had a translator with them too. I was the substitute teacher! Everyday someone would stay behind at camp to pray, so I would pick up their plan for the lesson and stand in for them! It was a good role as I was able to see each of the classes, but also a little bit daunting as I just had to go with a lesson that someone else had planned! But my fellow gappers are very helpful and the children were very good so it all worked out!

Top Class and Teacher Jon 

Higher Class, Teacher Anna and Teacher Innocent

Middle Class, Teacher Kathryn and Teacher Olivia

Infant Class, Teacher Susie and Teacher Lawrence

The week was based on Saul and David. My favourite day was David and Goliath, and I got to go round to each class as they acted it out! Susie's class was so funny as Moses played Goliath and the smallest boy in the class played David, he was only about three years old!

David hiding in the 'cave' waiting for Saul!

After teaching we all came together again for games. We played 'duck duck chicken' and lots of team games. My team was Red Team (again, the best). We played water and flour games on the last day which got a bit messy but was very funny!

After games, we would give all the children some porridge for lunch and then they would go home. In the afternoons we would shower - well I say shower, we would fill up a basin of water and wash! All of our water had to be collected from the bore hole. I'm sure I built up some muscle after carrying the jerry cans every day! I was amazed by the children we met at the bore hole as they were only small, yet they still managed to pump the water and carry it home. It's not a light task - trust me!

On Tuesday and Friday, we went for some community outreach in the afternoons. We went round to houses to help them get rid of bed bugs and cockroaches and general creepy crawlies! Lots of the children who had been to the Bible week lived in the local area so it was nice to see where they came from. Some of the things we saw were quite upsetting and there appears to be a lot of poverty there. There were two little boys who were very malnourished and when we went to their house we found their drunk father sitting with a group of friends. I would really appreciate prayer for this family as the children are being neglected and money seems to be spent on alcohol rather than food.

Lots of the families were very welcoming. One family had a pet tortoise which reminded me of our tortoise we used to have, but the lady told me not to pick him up because he would bite me!

a toy made from an old jerry can

Every evening we showed a film which attracted lots of people from the community. Each film had a message about God and gave the opportunity for some good conversations. 

It was a very long and hot week, but I enjoyed it! We're all very tired now but we feel accomplished and will be returning to Goshem very soon for teaching!

Tomorrow myself, Susie, Kathryn and Jon are off on a bit of a holiday! Brian is taking us on safari! Please pray for safety and God's provision for us on this trip. Anna is staying behind to begin applying for jobs for when she returns to England! We will come home on Friday.

Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. Lots of love and God Bless.

Christmas and New Year

I will start by saying Merry Christmas to you all and Happy New Year!

We had a very warm festive season out here in Uganda which didn't really make it feel like Christmas, especially as lots of the songs are about snow and snuggling round the fire! 

On Christmas Day we went to Church in the morning. Then I took up my duties as Head Chef for Christmas dinner - helped by Jon, Anna and Kathryn! Amazingly, I didn't burn anything or give anyone food poisoning - and it tasted pretty decent!

Over Christmas we had a boy called Moses come to stay with us. He goes to the school where we teach and is a boarding student. The plan was for him to stay at school over Christmas but we invited him to come and stay at the Smile House for a few days - the last place you want to be at Christmas is school! He also celebrated his birthday while he was here, so it was nice to make him feel special and before he left he called us his 'family'. 

On the day after Boxing Day, we were visited by Kelly and Jono, who we met back in November when they came to the children's club with us. It was really great to catch up with them and hear about their trip to Kenya!

 On New Years Eve we went to church. Me and Susie popped next door to the shop and were interviewed for Ugandan TV! They asked us what our new years resolutions were! 

 We got up to all sorts on NYE and it was certainly different to any that I've celebrated in England! New Years is much more of a religious event in Uganda and lots of people go to church. It was pretty cool to see two baptisms at 5am! We finally got to bed at 7am on New Years Day!

Tomorrow (Monday 6th) the five of us are going on a youth camp with the youth of Kampala Baptist Church. We'll be there until Friday so don't get offended if you try to contact me and I don't respond! We're really looking forward to building on our friendships with the guys at KBC - although we're not as excited about the camping bit!!

January is looking like it will be a very busy month, and mostly spent in tents! I will try to keep you all updated as much as possible :)

Thank you for all your love and prayers over Christmas.

God Bless you in this new year.

A thought for Christmas!

Christmas has very much been put into perspective this year... last week we gave out Christmas parcels to the widows that Smile sponsor, and I've never seen anyone so excited and appreciative of some cooking pots and toiletries! It really made me think about how materialistic and superficial Christmas has become back home in the UK and how important it is that we focus on celebrating the birth of Jesus! and also appreciating our loved ones and taking special care of those in need. I promise I'm not trying to put a downer on your Christmas Eve! but tomorrow as you open all your presents and tuck into a big roast dinner, spare a thought for those people around the world who can only dream of such luxuries. Give your loved ones a hug (and if you see mine - give them one from me!) and I pray that God blesses each and every one of you 

"this is the day that the Lord has made..."

Yesterday the widows that Smile sponsor came up to the Smile house to receive their Christmas gifts! Smile has around 17 sponsored widows and we've visited lots of them in their homes whilst we have been here. 

Each widow received three casserole dishes of different sizes. Then in the bottom dish we had put a selection of toiletries like soap, body lotion, toothpaste, shampoo and some children's toothbrushes - as they often are caring for children or grandchildren.

We helped the ladies to look through the boxes, and the highlight was when they opened the last box! Their faces just lit up! They were so thankful, and we received lots of hugs and handshakes! 

We tried to explain what everything was in the box. Some of the ladies are very good at speaking English, but for the others, trying to communicate the difference between body wash and body lotion proved interesting!

 Afterwards the widows were able to choose some tshirts to take home with them.

 Whilst going through her boxes, one of the widows, Rose, starting dancing. With every new item she found in the box, she danced some more! She then started singing "This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it".  It was so humbling to see how excited and pleased she was with a set of cooking pots and toiletries! 

All the widows then got together and sang a song. We love spending time with these ladies as they are so friendly and welcoming. It is definitely so much better to give than to receive! 

South Africa!

On Friday 6th December I left very early in the morning for Entebbe Airport! I was chosen to be part of a team that was going to represent England and Wales at an International Girls' Brigade Gathering. The Gathering was being held in Stellenbosch which is near Cape Town in South Africa! Once I had arrived at Cape Town airport, my cousin-once-removed (my Mum's cousin) Pip came to meet me. We went back to her house and I stayed over for a night before the Gathering! Thank you Pip and Andrew for having me and taking me out for pizza and ice cream! On Saturday morning Pip drove me down to Stellenbosch University where the Gathering was being held!

Myself and Pip with her lovely baby bump!

On arrival I was given a lovely bag of goodies which had been very generously provided by Girls' Brigade South Africa! In the evening we had a 'Colour Party' where we had to wear our national colours and had the chance to meet all the girls from round the world! 
The countries represented at The Gathering 2013 were:
- Ghana  -Malawi  -Nigeria  -South Africa  -Zambia  -Zimbabwe  -USA  -British Virgin Islands  -Cayman Islands  -St Maarten  -England and Wales  -Northern Ireland  -Ireland  -Scotland  -Australia  -Cook Islands  -New Zealand  -Papua New Guinea
We then got into our reflect groups which gave us the chance to chat about the day and pray together. I was in the 'Joy' reflect group which consisted of Hayley from Scotland, Nicola from Northern Ireland, Jemila from St Maarten, Chongmel from Nigeria and Aimee from South Africa. 

On Sunday we all had to wear our national GB uniforms for church. We went to the beautiful Pniel Congregational Church which sits at the foot of a mountain. The church service was dedicated to Girls' Brigade and also to the memory of Nelson Mandela. They welcomed each country and I went up on stage to present the English (and Welsh!) flags. After the service, some people from the congregation provided a lovely lunch for us. We then went to another hall and GB South Africa put on a presentation of songs, dances and a nativity for us. A marching band were also there and when they started to play, two girls from Nigeria got up to dance, Ruth Chikasa - the International President - joined them and then started pulling people up to dance! By the end of the song we were all up and dancing with each other, despite having only met the day before! We went outside and released balloons that had prayers attached to them for the future of GB.

 In the evening we had a birthday party for Girls' Brigade as this year it turned 120! GBSA did a wonderful job of setting up the courtyard. The girls from the Cook Islands were wearing beautiful flower headbands which I had been eyeing up all day - so was very happy when they let me try one on!

In the evening, we had our reflect groups again. They then showed the film Girl Rising which is an inspirational film about 9 girls from 9 countries who are overcoming their struggles, often caused by the simple fact that they are female. If you get the chance to watch this film, it is so worth it! I've always been quite interested in gender equality and campaigning for women and girls, but it was still eye-opening and quite shocking to see what some girls are faced with. 

Monday was the Pacific Fellowship's sharing day so they taught us some of the games and songs they do with their girls. We also had a chance to try some Pacific snacks in our refreshment break. 

In the morning we had our 'Because I am a Girl...' presentations. Each country presented an issue that they feel is the biggest struggle for girls living there. GBEW (England and Wales) decided to talk about anorexia and eating disorders. Myself and our group mentor Kim were nominated to talk and ended up being the first country to go! We were the only country to present the issue of eating disorders, but some of the other countries covered self and body image. Other countries presented topics such as gender inequality in the workplace, education, inadequacy, forced marriage and teenage pregnancy. It was really interesting, but also heartbreaking, to see what girls are facing in these different places, and where similarities lie between counties. It got us thinking about how GB can help to tackle these issues and be there for their girls. 

After these presentations, a lady from the charity A21 came in to talk about human trafficking. We heard some absolutely shocking statistics and stories about trafficking that is going on today. What surprised me is that there are MORE slaves today, than when the slave trade was legal. She also told us that the average age of a trafficked person is 12. 12! It broke my heart to hear about it and I can't believe that it's happening in the 21st Century. If you want to know more about A21 then their website is www.thea21campaign.org.

Tuesday was our 'equpping' day so we chose two workshops to attend. I went to 'Being an influencer' and 'African Craft'. It was also the African Fellowship's sharing day so we tried lots of interesting food and played a game called 'mosquito' which left us all singing the song for it for the rest of the week! In the afternoon we took part in some outreach by making up over 1000 food packages that were going to be given out in South Africa's townships. It was great to do some practical work to help these people.

In the evening, the Africa day concluded with an African drumming lesson! I was very excited about this and even though we were supposed to wear our country's national dress, I went for my Uganda trousers! I loved the lesson so much and at the end some of us got up to dance which was pretty funny! I'm now seriously considering buying myself a drum.

(If you're still reading this - I'm impressed!) Wednesday! Wednesday was our day out in Cape Town. We went to a museum dedicated to the effect of the apartheid on the local area. We then went to a craft market where I got to try out my haggling skills! The highlight of my day was definitely Table Mountain! We went up in the cable cars and walked out onto a very windy mountain top! The views were stunning and I fully agree with the fact that it is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. We had dinner in the cafe at the top and I suddenly remembered half way through eating that I was on top of a mountain! 

Thursday was the Caribbean-America Fellowship's sharing day. From what I was told, the Caribbean sounds like a very good place to live! During the day we were focusing on the next 120 years of Girls' Brigade. We split in to four different groups, communication, creativity, advocacy and the GB girl declaration. I chose advocacy as I really believe that Girls' Brigade can really make a difference in campaigning and fighting against social injustice. My group decided to focus on getting girls into education and keeping them there! At the end of the day we presented our ideas and suggestions to the rest of the delegates and the International President of Girls' Brigade. We're hoping that our ideas will be put forward at the International Conference which is happening next year.

On Friday morning we went to the beach! It was so so sunny and we were all eager to get in the sea! They had arranged some games for us to play on the beach which were pretty interesting! It was really nice to spend some time just chilling with the new friends that we'd made over the week.

In the afternoon we returned to Stellenbosch where GB Europe had the chance to share our snacks! The table was basically just sugar, sugar and more sugar! But it was great for me as I've missed English food so I tucked in! 

We then had time to reflect on how God had challenged us throughout the week and what we had learnt. Lots of people came up to the front to speak and it was a really lovely time.

In the evening we had a Christmas BBQ, or 'braai' as the South Africans call it! Presents were handed out to the amazing planning team and we had a lots of good food! Afterwards we went upstairs for 'GB's Got Talent' where the GBEW team blessed the audience with a One Direction tribute! 

The time came to pack my suitcase and start saying my goodbyes! I had such an inspirational group and I can't wait to see how GB will take on our ideas. Hopefully there will be another Gathering in the future! I made lots of friends from all round the world and it just proved to me that I have an amazing family of GB girls that have the same enthusiasm for God and Girls Brigade. I hope we stay in touch!

Leaving our legacy!

I travelled back to Uganda, nearly missing my second flight (again!) and was picked up from the airport by Alex and Susie - who let out a rather high pitched squeal when she saw me haha! Thank you Alex for all the airport runs you did for me :)

Now it's time for us to start preparing for the run up to Christmas!