Samuel, Sissy & Shelter from the rain

I want to tell you about Samuel, Sissy & Shelter from the rain......

I taught Samuel 2 years ago at St Matthews. I don't see him much now just a quick 'hello' when we pass in the corridor. But last week Samuel came up to me before school began and gave me three pots. Samuel unbeknown to me had been saving his coppers and 5ps for me to use in Uganda. I was overwhelmed and promised to take the money with me to Uganda and tell him how I used it. I've told you how everyday, everyday without fail, the children at the school we've been working at have a maize/porridge meal. Well not today!! Today on our way we bought melons, pineapple and bananas with Samuels exchanged coppers and 5ps. After their porridge today the children lined up and ate fruit! They loved it - I have pictures to prove they loved it! Samuel you are a star! When you see Mr Garnham, please pat him on the back, hug him, tell him that today, because he bothered to do something, he made the world of difference in the day of many, many disadvantaged African children.  Priceless.

Today, I joined those that got water to mix the cement for the building work. This involved trekking down a hill to a water hole at the bottom where water collects, filling containers and bringing it up again. We are often joined by local children who can't afford to be in school. Today they helped as we gathered water. These children are so resourceful - I love my pictures of them carrying the water up the hill for us. As John collected water there was a girl from a home nearby watching. Charles, our driver, was pitching in with the work and was able to translate for John as he asked why she wasn't at school. Sissy's story is that her father died and her mother couldn't afford to look after her so sent her to live with her grandmother in her mud hut by the school. Her grandmother gets by by digging up root vegetables. These people have nothing. Just like Samuel had given me his pennies, John had been given  money by a friend. He used it today. Today he went back to Sissy's 'home' and met her grandmother and offered to pay for her schooling for the next year. This will cost.....wait for it..... about thirty five pounds a term! That little girls life is about to change, is about to have hope, because somebody bothered to do something.

After the introduction of the football kit yesterady a 'match' was organised today.  This was Uganda (again looking like Witnesham Wasps!) V UK. In true African style (I'm learning to be chilled with it!) we didn't quite understand where this was happening or when...... It happened late afternoon and we all, the entire school, followed the team to a field. I walked hand in hand with Grace. We walked through trees where there were scattered about, primitive brick buildings and huts, homes. It struck me that it reminded me of Centre Parks and how odd it is that we, for our relaxation and leisure, attempt to recreate this primitive setting - only we don't, not like I saw today.  The match was fun. The UK did good!!  But we weren't far into it when there were rumbles of thunder and suddenly the heavens opened! It was a good 10 minute walk back to the school but hand in unfamiliar hand we hurried, past the homes we'd seen earlier. These children are amazing, not one moaned or cried or asked for any help, they simply kept going. As the rain became torrential I stopped under a tree with the group around me. We heard calls of 'come, come'. We were being offered shelter in a small brick building, someones home. We ran!  I stood inside a room, as small as my hall as home, with ten African children around me, and my own daughter holding Moses who couldn't walk as quickly as the others. The mother cleared a space for us and then continued making her basket whilst her own children stared at the unusual sight. The room was so very dark, the floor was so very hard and the conditions so very cramped. I thought of my lovely home, my beautiful lounge and my comfortable furniture and I was glad that it was raining, because I knew the children wouldn't realise that it wasn't rain running down my cheeks......

Tough stuff today. But in the diversity that is life, tonight I have sat in the hostel bar, with my fantastic children and this wonderful group of fellow volunteers, I've laughed a lot, drunk red wine and listened to Sim play his guitar. I'm loving my African Adventure. Thanks for 'travelling' with me. xx