Daily Diary from the 2010 Expedition in Uganda
Keep up to date with the team right here. Every day a different member of the team is making an online entry into the Daily Diary. Enjoy!
UGANDA 2010
ARRIVAL AND DAY 1
We left Heathrow on the 25th March at around 11.30 am and after an uneventual flight arrived in Entebbe at around 10pm. Passport control and customs was pretty seamless and we were met by Safari Tours who escorted us in several mini buses to our hotel “Centre Inn” in Entebbe for our first night.
Friday morning we set out for Kampala, mostly to change money and pick up some water and set off for Mbale via Jinja where we had our lunch and gave everyone a sneaky view of where they would stay the following weekend for a short rest period – I think it was a hit!
After lunch we set off once again for Mbale where we are scheduled to stay for 6 nights. We were assured that the journey would be one and a half hours and three hours later we arrived!
The proprieter at Kaddo greeted us all and we shown to our rooms – the first real African experience for at least half of our team. No electricity, some decidedly dodgy wiring above the showerhead, a door which wouldn’t close, cold water, no towels etc. etc. but it was clean and everyone was exhausted so we had dinner and a fairly early night.
Saturday morning, after a leisurely breakfast we sorted out some of the gifts we were taking and set off for Kavule School for the Deaf where we all experienced a warm welcome and were shown around the campus by the Headmaster. Everyone had a great time trying to communicate with the children and teachers and spent the next couple of hours playing games and making things. It was great fun we played football, rounders, frisbies, egg and spoon races, balloon modelling, making name badges, parachute games, story telling and generally being silly, getting hot and creating an atmosphere of friendship and support for this amazing school and equally amazing children, all of whom were deaf but full of enthusiasm for these new activities, most of which they would probably have experienced for the first time.
Day one came to a close and the group returned to the hotel, tired, a bit sun burned but everything feeling that it had been a really worthwhile day which I am sure gave them as much pleasure as the young people they met.
Marie Goulding
UGANDA, SUNDAY 28th March
Today we visited Kavule School for the second time. The day started with a gloomy morning, and plenty of rain and thunder. Breakfast today consisted of pretty much the same as yesterday, which was pineapple, banana, and omelette. After the bitter fruit juice yesterday, there was improvement today, as sugar was added.
After the torrential rain in the night, the driver had to be careful on the roads. We thought we were on our way today, but we discovered that we had a lack of water. We sent Livingstone and Godfrey off to the supermarket, where they were able to haggle for a good price. Livingstone is the charity representative in Uganda, and also the headmaster of Bukeka School, which we are to visit later on in the trip. Godfrey is a very old scouting friend of Livy’s.
After a 45 minute trip along dirt tracks, we arrived at the church in Iki Iki, where the school children were to join us. It was to be a truly memorable experience. It started off with the local choir singing traditional Christian Ugandan songs. They may not have the technology for music that we do, but they can still sing remarkably well, especially when they join together. When the priest arrived, everybody went silent and stood. He then entered the church singing. After some hymns, the priest got up to teach about the glory of the kingdom of God, which he did with great enthusiasm. There was also a pastor called Debra, who was there to translate for us. After the collection, they also asked for donations towards church construction. The children from the deaf school got up to give us a lovely song. They did so by using sign language to the rhythm the drum. Then it was our turn to sing a song or two. Some members of the group were not overly keen on this. However, we stuck to our guns and sang ‘Lord of the Dance’ and ‘The Whole World in His Hands’. This seemed to please the congregation, as the ladies ululated. Finally, the people of the church donated a small gift which was then auctioned off. Eric bid for lot 1, but he was outbid at the last moment by Megan. The lot was avocados. Funnily enough, she need not have out bid, as there were many, many more avocados to come.
We walked back to the school along the still muddy road. When we reached the school, we were all much muddier than we had been previously. Before lunch was ready, we went with the children to play some games. Next came lunch. This consisted of rice, matoke, meat, Irish potato, and red beans – yummy.
The afternoon that followed was filled with an assortment of team games. Some were playing ball games, such as football and rugby. We had taught some of the children how to play rugby the previous day. There were also parachute games, egg and spoon races, and other relay games. We could clearly see that the children were enjoying themselves.
After saying our goodbyes, we headed back to the hotel. Later we were to discuss what had happened that day, after a shower and a drink or two.
ENTRY BY JORDAN BREWSTER AND WILF PARKIN
Monday – went to Kavule school to start our projects. We wanted to make a swing but needed the poles to make the frame. As we waited we planned additional playground equipment to leave for the children. Later we were to remember TIA (This is Africa), as the poles had not arrived. Eventually we saw a man arrive with two large poles strapped to his bicycle and realised this was what we had been waiting for. However our group decided we could make a roundabout and also a seesaw in addition to making the swing. Eric then asked me to go with Chris, Jordan, Luke, Livy and Barbara into Mbale to buy the equipment we needed. I agreed to negotiate for the things we wanted, a lorry axle, a metal pole, some rope and other small items.
Livy helped us find a garage where the owner said he could make us a roundabout. After showing us one in a nearby nursery he asked for 1,500,000 Ugandan shillings or about £300 to make it. I politely declined. However I did manage to buy a metal pole and have two brackets made and welded for a total price of 60,0000 shillings, about £20,to help us make the seesaw. Other purchases included rope and nails and screws. I was pleased I got the Ugandan and not the Mzungu price as I think I managed to save us some money. The Mzungu or white man’s price for the rope was 50,000 shillings but I got the Ugandan price of 25,000 instead. Shopping in Mbale is an amazing experience as almost anything can be obtained if the price is right.
On return to Kavule we proudly presented our purchases before we managed to help put up the frame for the swings in the rain. Hopefully tomorrow we will complete this task before we complete the seesaw. I am beginning to believe the children think all these strange white people are crazy! To anyone reading this I would say come to Africa for a real life changing experience.
Peter Hills ACC Special Needs.

Hi everyone,
Day 6 - Tuesday 30th March 2010
Today’s projects were a day trip to Sipi, painting the new classrooms, sourcing new mosquito nets and carrying on with the playground for the children.
Most of the children who went on the outing hadn’t travelled before and found everything from the bus to climbing hills, a new and exciting experience. Having counted and re-counted the children we were off on the journey to Sipi falls. The children pointed and wriggled excitedly in their seats and we gamely fought off the near riot when the sweets were passed around.
It had rained heavily on the way and the path up through the lush undergrowth to the falls was steep and slippery. It was touching that the older children automatically helped the smaller ones up. We were told that the children weren’t really used to steep hills like this and hence needed a lot of help. The first resting stage was immediately behind the falls and the spray washed over everyone. While we were there the teachers took the opportunity to give a geology lesson on the formation of the rocks and to tell the children about the salt that has been mined from the rock in the past.
The smaller children came back down the way they went up and the bigger children continued up to the top. While we were waiting for the older children to return, even the trip to the toilets proved a learning experience with some of the children having never seen a ‘proper’ toilet before - in the school they have traditional holes in the ground. Some of the children tried to stand on the toilet seat to squat, not realising you could sit!
Lunch was in a traditional shack-like restaurant where they had meat stew, rice and local vegetables. Then it was back on the bus to return back to school (Sarah Brewster).
The people who stayed at school spent the day building a see-saw, working with the children in the classroom and painting the new school block. The children really enjoyed a juggling lesson from Peter, a science lesson on the colours in a prism from Wilf, Peter and Dave and the four girls working with Gillian learnt about the anatomy of the body followed by a magic tricks. June, Megan, Paul, Luke, Anna F and John all spent the day painting with the thinnest paint and stubbliest brushes imaginable.
We all had a fun time playing with the children at lunchtime with snap/pairs cards proving a hit as they had never played with them before. The village children are always around the ‘Muzungu’ (white people) wanting to touch us and be included in the play. Anna F and Gillian gave a impromptu version of ‘Heads, Shoulders , Knees and Toes’ and were surrounded by about 30 village kids copying their every move. An enjoyable day was had by all (Anna Freshwater).

The remaining people went to see Marion’s African son, Michael, in Tororo in Eastern Uganda. We were very privileged and got to travel in a luxury minibus with comfy seats and electric windows. After a comfortable journey we arrived in Tororo one hour later. We telephoned Michael to be told to wait for him in the town centre. We then drove around to find a shady spot to wait under a tree and paid a parking attendant for the privilege of parking on the main street. Soon after, Michael arrived on his motorbike and apologised profusely. There had been a problem buying petrol in the town and he had to drive around all of the petrol stations to find fuel. We agreed to follow Michael and Godfrey on Michael’s motorbike. Godfrey looked super cool with his sunglasses on on the back of the bike. They sped off in to the dust and it was hard for us to find where they had got to. Ten minutes later, we found Godfrey on the side of the road taking a photo of the Tororo Rock. We continued on our way and soon arrived at Michael’s family home. Michael works in the Tororo cement factory and his family live in the complex next door. We were given a fantastic welcome by Michael’s wife Betty, his two sons Brian and Peter, Augustine (Michael’s father), Margaret (his mother) and Mary (his mother-in-law). We were asked to take a seat in the lounge area and drinks were served. Marion had bought Michael’s children some colouring books and they absolutely loved colouring in the pictures. Betty then brought in a brilliant traditional welcome cake which she had made in a handmade oven. It was delicious and decorated with icing in honour of Marion coming to see her African family. We were then served a very tasty lunch which consisted of liver, potato chips and turkey. Gifts between Michael’s family and Marion were exchanged and then it was time to leave. It was a fantastic day and one which we will never forget. (Anna and Peter).
Day 7
So for the third day in a row Paul set off down town to locate fifty-five mosquito nets. Luke had been down with me on the previous two days, but no room in the people carrier today as some of the others wanted to buy some European food to cook for the kids. Now here is the irony, in Mbale it’s easier to buy spaghetti for five dozen children than it is to purchase mozzie nets for them!! So first call whilst the others were in the supermarket (trust me not Tesco), I went to see the friendly pharmacist who had promised to get them sent down overnight from Kampala, “sorry sir, not yet” was his reply. Caught up with the others who were just going through the checkout. Now forget self-serve, the checkout was a desk with a calculator and Peter going “bip-bip” as the goods were passed along the counter! Off to the market next, pictures will follow, but I still take photos old school, think Diagon-Alley with fruit and veg, and you are about half way there. An hour passes, so back we go to my friendly vendor, but still no joy, another hour and still nothing, so I send the others back to school to cook and sit myself down in his shop doorway. Nothing is said, but he gets the message, I am not leaving without my cargo. Livy our friend, our guide, in short, our man on the ground catches up with me, and we sit together occasionally passing the bloke a knowing glance. Then from nowhere a bail arrives, maybe 30kgs, and as usual for this part of the world, carried on the man’s head. Could, at last, this be them, more seconds passed than Chris Tarrant waiting to tell you that you’ve won a million, and then out it popped, 1, 2, 3...46 nets, add these to the nine that we had got locally, and we’ve got enough to keep the kids safe at night.
We leave our £300 purchase behind the counter, and I follow Livy up the street to collect the goal posts and netball nets that he’s had made. He takes me to what can only be described as an engineering district. Lock-up after lock-up of men with tools, tools that Europe hasn’t seen for thirty years or more. But in this town if you own a piece of kit, you own a business. Together they all club together and get the job done. Along with men and old tools, is a feeling of being caught up in an episode of Scrap Heap Challenge. For sure you will be able to purchase a part for any and every vehicle on any Ugandan road in this back street motor heaven. The games kit is finished, the mozzie nets are waiting, a bag of cement to collect, and we can be away. So now we locate a pick-up taxi, again if you have a truck, you have a business in this town. The journey back to the school is hot and cramped, driver me and Livy all wedged in an eighties Nissan Cab-star, but it’s worth it to see the faces of 54 children who know the worth of a £6 piece of mesh - don’t be fooled by what Sports Relief tell you, the £5 ones aren’t worth having. For those of you still awake, you will know that the school has 53 children; the last smiling face was that of my Luke, twenty years old it’s true, but my kid nevertheless. Luke has taken this lack of insect protection seriously, and I honestly thought that if they did not arrive, I would not have been able to get him back to the hotel tonight, he was a man on a mission, and he weren’t leaving until it was done.
The next two hours was spent putting the nets up. It went easier than we thought as the kids helped, and I mean helped. Please never under estimate any African child’s perception of what that vile bug can mean in terms of life and death. They know, and they weren’t spending another night with no net, or otherwise one that was a useful as a chocolate teapot. Just when we thought the day could get no better, we discovered that we had over bought. The type of net that we got, cover both the upper and lower bunk...”overspending charity money – good news!” I hear you say. Well yes, because this means we have enough nets to cover all the teacher’s beds as well. After all the kids are our purpose here, but we support a school, and a school is not that without teachers as well as children.
Paul Brewster
A quick note from Luke:
Hopefully some of you who came to our Skittles Evening a few weeks back are reading this... The mosquito nets we bought for the kids and teachers at Kavule cost us around £320. Entirely coincidentally the Skittles Night raised the exact same sum. So a huge thank you to everyone who came and contributed that night because your generosity will save lives... When we put up the nets in one of the teacher’s rooms she was literally on her knees thanking us. And in reality she was really thanking every single person who had contributed so from all the people of Kavule School and all of us here in Uganda, a huge thank you to every single one of you!
Today was our final day at the Kavule Parents School for the Deaf. We all rose and had our scrummy breakfast which consisted of bananas, bread, pineapple and eggs. We headed off to the school at about 9:30am which was a little later than usual as the bus had another broken suspension spring. We arrived at the school to see the excited faces on the children: this was clearly going to be a special occasion for them. Two big marquees had been set up as well as two flag poles which had been erected in the middle of the football pitch. There was also an entertainment crew which had been brought in to supply the music and volume for the MC. BBF did the final touches to the play area by clipping on the swings and attaching the seat to the sea saw. The kids swarmed around to see what these constructions were. Two of the children sat on the swings and seemed a little unsure of what to do. After a bit of education from some of us they soon got the hang of it and they were taking it in turns to have a go. It was apparent that the swings were going to be used a lot. The children on the sea saw were even more comical to watch. A couple of kids had a go and one went up in the air and fell off after doing a 360 spin and landing on his bottom. A little more playing with the children and a few more visitors arrived, we all gathered round the new classroom block and the building was declared open by an important politician. He gave a speech, thanked everyone, cut the ribbon and revealed the plaque. We then all sat down in the marquee and listened to the speeches that had been prepared by the officials. This was entertaining as it seemed like the entertainment crew forgot to check the equipment and the mic was very intermitent. All the speeches finished and it was time for lunch, the polished buffet tins revealed to our surprise:- rice, meat and potatoes. After lunch we gave any gifts that we had brought for them and said our goodbyes. Back to the hotel to see what the evening has installed for us................
Friday 2nd April 2010
Hi everyone this is Jackie calling,
Day 8 of our adventure in Africa.
It is now time to leave our guest house in Mbale to go to the Kingfisher Safari Lodge in Jinja where the bees are the size of your thumb and the dragonflies are the size of your hand. It is about 110 kilometres away, and I am rather sad to be leaving Mbale but glad to be leaving the rooster that has no respect for the people who want to sleep past 6.00 in the morning. We all had the usual breakfast of bananas, pineapple, omelettes and the sweet bread that they have here in Uganda. It was also time to settle up our bar and laundry bills, the most painful part of our stay!
We were all excited about the three hour journey ahead and the mood was buoyant at the prospect of visiting the source of the river Nile, and it was good to know that we would meet up with the children from Kavule deaf school again here on Saturday.
It was a pleasant and uneventful journey until we approached the dam at Jinja. I was sitting at the front of the bus and had been taking photos on the journey. The bus was pulled over by army officials, wielding guns!!!!! I was approached by a soldier who confiscated my camera. Although I was holding the camera he addressed my husband with the words “Hey white man where are you from?” I replied “England” and he asked “What’s it like there?” to which I replied “Cold”. He then insisted on seeing what pictures I had taken of the dam as apparently this is an offence (maybe for security reasons?). We were held up for around ten minutes where a heated discussion between Rodgers our driver and Livvy the head of Mityana School took place. Fortunately I hadn’t yet taken any photos of the dam. My camera was returned to me and my husband was addressed by the soldier again with the words “White man don’t do that again you must get the ‘highest’ permission to be able to take pictures”.
After this fiasco we continued on our journey to the wonderful Safari Resort for two days of relaxation. After a lovely lunch all the team chilled out by the swimming pool and enjoyed a little personal time. We were unaware at this stage that we would not be getting a good night sleep. After a delicious evening meal we sat around with drinks and cocktails and were treated to the most wonderful show of lightning. The thunder was so loud and the lightning so bright and varied. My husband and I sat down by the lake in total amazement for about an hour watching the show and listening to all frogs and crickets until the ants drove us away. The storm raged all night and we all thought that we would have no roofs left by the morning. Gillian, the only member of our team slept through the night undisturbed!! I don’t know how she did it.
Tomorrow we are all excited at the prospect of taking the kids to the source of the Nile as the trip to Sipi Falls was such a success.
Uganda has been, so far, the most wonderful experience and Winston Churchill was right to call it the ‘pearl’ of Africa. Coming from Northern Ireland I am really tickled that they call potatoes ‘Irish’, we are obviously famous as far as here!

Speak to you all soon
Jackie
Saturday 3 April 201
Most of us had disturbed nights listening to the mighty African storm that rolled around the valley for hours. Perhaps those that didn’t hear it had worked their way through the fancy cocktail list the evening before. After our westernised breakfast that included CHEESE, CEREAL and SAUSAGES we waited for the children from Kavule to arrive for their experience to visit the source of the Nile.
Eventually they all piled off their coach with teachers and the Director, Sam, and we trailed down the muddy path to the Bujagali Falls. These are located on the River Nile where the river is very fast flowing with plenty of white water. Several boat loads of Mzungu and single kayaks rode the white water plus a local guy on a jerry can for our entertainment. The children were not their usual chirpy selves but enjoyed, as ever, having their photos taken. The Ugandan government plan to build another dam further down from the Falls next year which will result in the flooding of the valley and the loss of the white water play ground but will enable more hydro electric power to be produced.
We then proceeded to the Buwenda Scout Campsite for lunch much to the children’s delight. We discovered that they were quite hungry and this may have been the cause of their quietness at Bujagali. This campsite was opened in 2000 and is located in a beautiful spot overlooking the Nile. The project was conceived by Scout leader Colin Bennett and was a joint venture between Avon scouts and Jinja scouts. Lunch was our usual matoke and rice but with the addition of my favourite g.nut sauce (groundnuts) - a real treat for the children.
The children thought they were going back to Kavule after this but we left the best till last and headed off to the source of the Nile (or one of them at least). They were ecstatic when they realised they would be going on boats up the Nile to the point where the Nile flows away from Lake Victoria on its 4000 mile journey to the Med. Our guide reckoned that if you chopped a mans head off and floated it down the Nile it would arrive at Alexandria in 90 days! Kavule children have obviously never been in a boat before and their delight was something to behold. I was in a boat with around 20 kids and our skipper decided to rev it up and overtake the other boats after one of the older boys complained that we were last. It is a marvellous thing to hear a crowd of normally silent deaf kids screaming with delight and waving like crazy. We landed on a small island and saw the ‘bubbling’ water where the spring constantly flows and feeds the White Nile. One boy took it upon himself to wade through the water to some rocks a few metres into the lake (Victoria) only to be followed by several others, including the headmaster himself. They returned with soaking uniforms but quite unfazed about sitting in these wet clothes for two and a half hours back to school.
We said our final farewells to these delightful children and staff and hope we have enriched their lives and broadened their horizons for a brief while.
On our way back to Kingfisher I missed a magical moment of amazing cloud formations and colours as I was travelling in the mini bus and had stopped off to buy water (and ice-creams). We finished our day with a, a much needed swim, a few drinks and pizza plus the avocados that have finally ripened after a week in the bus. BY MICHELE GARDNER
Reflections on our first week by Eric Goulding
4th April 2010
Starting out on a trip to Uganda with a large group is always exciting but at the same time I am always apprehensive, will the group gel? Will the transport turn up? How with team deal the lack of facilities etc. Well all the concerns disappear once you land, the adventure has begun!
Today is Easter Sunday, a day for rest and a chance to reflect on achievements so far.
For me this week has been very special, and our projects very different to previous ones, lots of very positive and special achievements all enriching the lives of the children.
• Play equipment supplied and installed
• Football pitch and netball pitch provided
• Footballs etc provided
• New mosquito nets supplied and fitted for all of the children and teachers
• New desks and furniture for the new classroom blocks
• Every child supplied with a new blanket
• Every child being taken on a field trip to Sipi falls
• Special full lunch provided and shared with us every day
• New classroom painted by BBF members
• Day trip for the whole school to Jinja to visit the source of the Nile, Bujagali Falls and Buwenda camp site.
• Lessons prepared and delivered by the BBF team including, Art classes, English lessons and storytelling using sign language by the team
• Internet provided for the director and school to use
• Lap top provided
• Specialist help identified for some of the children
• Sponsorship scheme updated and new sponsors allocated.
• Witnessing the commissioning of the new classroom block funded by The World of Children.
In just a week so much has been achieved but none of it would have been possible without the ongoing support and fund raising which is carried out continuously by our team and supporters back home, remember you can help too by joining our 100 club, sponsoring a child or help fund raise in any way.
The diary blogs show just a snapshot and individual’s feeling of that particular day however the emotions, the fun, the joy of every day are much more difficult to convey, this week has been a series of highs and I am glad to say no lows except that we ran out of time and available funds. I personally have had a great week sharing our experiences at Kavule with some fantastic people: now on to Bukeka. please keep logging on and thank you for your messages of support.
THE MBALE TOUR OF BBF 2010 by Sebuuma Godfrey Jackson
(a Ugandan Scout and friend since 1995)
Whenever Building Brighter Futures comes over for a project, I feel happy as they are helping a less fortunate child who will be a future leader, teacher, lawyer, etc of this Great Nation. I’m always happy to be associated with BBF. Since I can’t give in financially, I make sure I give in a hand to paint, build, give information (answer some questions that I can), etc.
The first week of the stay for BBF was in Mbale town but doing actual work was at The Kavule Parents’ School for the Deaf. This was to see how work was moving on the new 4 classroom block that was completed with funding from Child World USA. This school campus is so amazing in that within the shortest period of time, it has come this far with a poultry project moving on pretty well thou the eggs still lack market.
A couple of purchases were made for new mosquito nets and blankets for the children. I really fancy the way they do their thank you in the sign language.
I was happy to see yet another block being commissioned by The Chairman, LC V Budaka District Mr. WAMOLI Sam in the presence of The Resident District Commissioner who happens to be the personal representative of His Excellency The President to The Republic of Uganda. Also present were the parents, teachers.
All these being added unto the belt of BBF’S effort to see a Brighter future for these children.
I was touched by The District Chairman’s word “I won’t be like other politicians who promise but fail to fulfil. He said will send in that little he can lay hands on towards this noble cause. He said, for a long time has been under looked by passed leaders and parents who don’t think educating a deaf child is important but instead force them to look after cattle, scare away birds in the rice fields, house work, etc.
I’m grateful for the trust the leadership for BBF has in me in that they keep me up-dated on all new developments, post E-newsletters into my Inbox. Not leaving out First Timers (members coming for the first time) whom within a matter of hours start going on well. I like the treatment given to me by everyone as part of the team and move on along well no matter where or when.
Because of that trust, I re-affirm my total commitment towards BBF and assure everyone that I will always be available to give a hand whenever called upon at all times.

It was really sad to see the smiles that were seen at the commissioning of the new block fading away when time came to say good bye. We assured them that “we will be back”
There was some joy when they heard that we will meet again when they come to Jinja for a tour of Bujagali Falls, The Source of the Nile the a boat ride the drive thru Jinja. At the end of the day everyone on the bus ie from Mr. Kateu Sam, the Headmaster, teachers and the children was happy for that tour to be organised. In the course of the week a visit to the Sipi Falls, put a smile on everyone’s smile.

In all, Mbale was another success for BBF 2010. I would like to thank Mr & Mrs Goulding along with the entire team behind the planning and successfully executing these projects. I think, wherever they are deserve a pat on the back. Then for the members who were able to make it this year, thank you for saving every single penny towards this noble cause. For those who wished to come this year but never made it – there are more trips ahead so keep saving and working hard.
For the sponsors, a huge WEBALE NNYO (Luganda word for thank you very much) for all that you put in to see to it that BBF projects go as planned.

May God greatly reward you all.
For God and My Country
SSEBUUMA Godfrey Jackson

Email : goldburger_03@yahoo.co.uk

Mobile: +256 772 390 053

Aluta Continua
Tuesday, 06 April 2010
By Chris Parkyn
Today was different, a day that is a big life box ticker that will always leave a mark on me also I hope my friends on this trip. The day started as normal, getting up which always involves fighting your way out of the mossy net. Changed, showered and ready for a breakfast which is simple but lovely, after scoffing that down we got on the bus to Bukeka School which is 45 minutes away form were we are staying which does not sound much but the roads are more than in disrepair with holes that would even scare a 4x4, as the bus bounced from side to side like a fair ground ride we came to a vast open green area it was tea trees acres and acres of it.
Once we had gone though P.G heaven and left monkey there we arrived at the school in one piece thanks to Rogers, what a driver he knows his stuff. Anyway getting off the bus we are greeted by 150 kids singing a welcome song with them in class line all smart and tidy, clothes clean; remember this is a place which has not much clean drinking water but yet their clothes are lovely and clean - amazing. The Head master with her four teachers were greeting us as well and once they had finished singing and introducing themselves, Livy, the school director, who gave his own house and ground to build the school so village children could have a better start in life. Kindness like that can only be found in very hopeless places. On this property there is a toilet for the kids and teachers, a cooking hut and also with help from charities such as ours, a four class room building. This was put up by scouts helping the area and doing a great job. The school did make a little change to its toilets so that now he has a guest toilet which only gets used once every two years! Don’t think it is much - all it is I would say is the bit you sit on but better than a hole to flush two litres of water down it - simple but effective.
After having a tour of the school with the head master and having each class welcome us in their own way with singing and dancing, Livy then took us to the local drinking well and the best I can say is it is dirty with stuff growing in it and not right in the 21st century world to allow this happen. Once over the shock of that we were moved on to more positive things that we can do to help them. Livy explained what he wanted and he showed us where the play ground would be then showed us with excitement what he had bought. The swings, roundabout, see saw and climbing frame were fantastic - kid you not they are painted in bright different colours ,look the part and will brighten the place up so much.
After getting to know where everything is it was the groups’ turn to interact with the kids and have fun, we pumped some balls up and their faces light up it was like Christmas for them. The girls got net balls and started playing with them, footballs got pumped up and kicked around they loved it, a bell went like any school time for lunch and food was brought out. The kids got in a long neat line, no pushing nothing it was lovely to see. Then sods law kicked in and big black clouds came over head and from lovely sun shine to heavy rain with dramatic thunder and lighting, the food got moved in to one of the classrooms where the food was served. What we had was rice, boiled potatoes and this purple stuff which looked foul but was peanut butter sauce lovely. After eating and chatting to the teachers in one classroom this drum beat started. At this point it is still raining heavily and not everyone heard the drum beat over the rain. So being me and from Devon and very nosey I went to have a look in the other room and there with no assistance there where the kids danced and played the drums. After seeing this crazy act I went back to tell everyone what they were doing and they all moved to have a look. Luke and I along with a couple of others started to dance and join in - what a school boy error! What happened was somehow we got challenged to a dance off and had to put on us these grass skirts - yes a skirt. The centre of the room got cleared and the music stopped and a teacher started to explain what we were going to try and do and we realisied what we had got ourselves into. The drumbeat started and the school children went first and showed off their moves, what show offs and now it was our turn - pride of Britain, off we went and as soon as we moved the room burst out laughing great start as soon as we finished the kids done another load of moves even more impressive than before they then stopped to look at us. The spot light was on us and we done ok I think some people were still standing not lying on the floor crying. The rain stopped and it was time to leave, we said good bye and headed home now though with the roads being made of mud it was very slippery and Rogers found it very hard driving back,and nearly got stuck a couple of times. At one point the rear of the bus was over taking the front but Rogers being GREAT never panicked and did good. Overall a great day and can’t wait for tomorrow.
Thanks
Chris Parkyn
Wednesday 07 April John Morris

Hi Guys, John here are dropping in.
This morning we sat down to a fine breakfast with a very continental mix of beans on toast and German sausages, this mix was no doubt inspired by the fact that we are sharing the Hotel with our German cousins.
Talking about our German cousins, for all you sports fans out there here are last nights International scores. The UK are winning one nil against Germany in the European pool championships (well done Megan) the Germans are leaving us soon so on a technicality that makes us European champions... I think. As for the World Championship pool the UK is currently leading Uganda two one in a very close and tense competition (well done Karl and Chris).
After breakfast we left the confines of the Hotel for Bukeka School outside Mityana. We boarded our long suffering but loyal bus thankfully again driven by my personal nomination for World Champion rally driver of the year, Rogers. Yesterday this fantastic driver was a sight to behold getting us back to the Hotel down a long road that we were beginning to believe was impassable because of a huge rain storm washing it away... well done Rogers. After what was by Ugandan traffic standards a fairly uneventful journey we reached the School.
The School is set in the most beautiful surroundings imaginable with stunning vistas of tea plantations and lush green jungle looking valleys. As we got off of the bus we were a little surprised to see the kids running around in their underwear, but we soon learned that this morning was P.E. morning and most of us joined in as best as we were able. As always we were outclassed by the Children by skill and speed.
After P.E. it was down to work, firstly we went to a nearby house to collect the play equipment we needed. The neighbour had kindly stored the equipment in his garage... yes garage, it was a very nice house. We have a roundabout, a swing, a climbing frame, a see saw and a slide. Once Livvy the Director of the School showed us where to put the equipment we began to dig the holes to place them in. This is always a mixture of hilarity and cursing as we all again try to use the African digging tools, not easy to master but very good once well practiced with. This day was hot, hot, hot even by Ugandan standards so every one, male and female chipped in with the digging of the holes and every pair of hands was needed. At this stage a local Master builder turned up to show us amateurs how it is done, I personally got a rollicking for daring to put hardcore stones in the bottom of the holes off of my own initiative. This was a rollicking that I took graciously from this ex kickboxing man-tank (I wonder why)? However I did feel good that after some trial and error he then went and put hardcore in the holes too, did I gloat about it? No way, I didn’t dare! With the Master builder leading the way we got the equipment into position and cemented in so it would be safe and secure for the kids. The master builder was a great help to us as we struggled along through the day although his face was a picture when Chris broke one of his digging tools! We all laughed... once the builder was out of hearing range and not before!
Once the donkey work was done we got a chance to interact with the kids once again being thrashed at football... again. The pitch is surrounded by a barbed wire fence and it is amazing to see these kids just jump through the fence at full pace like a cat chasing a mouse with no fear of the wire at all. We feel even more nervous as they do it as it is almost always us that have sent the ball flying out in the first place.
In the afternoon we were treated with the usual fantastic hospitality that we have almost come to expect now. We were kept supplied with copious amounts of fresh fruit which tastes so much better than our over the counter fruit I must say. We saw a young kid eating some sugar cane and we were intrigued to know how it tasted, after we asked we were treated to the most amazing display of what could only be called swordsmanship as this young charge set about with a huge knife stripping, chopping and cubing the sugar cane up for us. The cane actually tastes very nice and we were equally impressed and terrified with the knife skills especially bearing in mind that this child was only about 6 or 7.
Later in the afternoon Eric noticed that we were all melting in the sun like cheap ice creams so we decided to call it a day at that point, but as usual much was achieved and much fun had.
As we sat down to relax for the evening I wondered if I had caught too much sun that day, this was answered when I went to bed and turned out the light and saw my face light up the room like a night light oh well this as they is Africa!
Speak soon
John M
Wednesday 7th April 2010
This was my first day to run the art class at Bukeka School. Having already enjoyed teaching painting at Kavule where the children produced wonderful works of art, I was looking forward to offering the same to these youngsters who had never experienced the medium of poster paint. I had prepared a laminated instruction card so that the teacher helping me could explain what subjects to choose from to paint a picture. In reality they could paint any subject they liked but it was helpful to give some ideas to get their minds working. The children in both schools turned out to be very artistic and it was interesting to see that everyday subjects such as chickens, jerry cans, table, chairs, people, trees, houses etc were colourfully painted with the fat brushes I had brought. However, there was a tendency for everyone to copy exactly something that was offered just as an example! They were very well behaved and shared the paper plates of paint with no problems. Each plate had two brushes which had to be kept with that colour, just changing brushes to use another colour and on the whole this worked well. As each picture was completed I decorated the walls of the classroom by using blue masking tape at the corners to display the paintings. Everything was going so well that I decided to give them another challenge by showing how we make folded paper paint patterns. (At Kavule our second project was to cover their hands with paint to make colourful hand print designs.) I had to repeat the procedure several times as each new class came in to enjoy the experience. Although the weather was very hot and I found it quite tiring I was really pleased that everything had worked out as I had planned and I found it was a very rewarding activity. At Kavule I had no problem with finding water to wash out the brushes as the water-harvesting tank was always full. (It is the rainy season here at the moment and the water is channelled off the rooves of the dormitories and chicken house.) Here in Bukeka the water has to be fetched from a water hole half a mile away. This job is given to the older school children who take the five gallon yellow plastic containers to fill with water, carrying them back to school on their heads, winding their way through the countryside on narrow tracks. So, the teacher Christine helped me to wash the brushes out in a paper plate filled with a dribble of water! Unfortunately, we are having trouble attaching pictures to our email reports but when we get back home look out for the photos that will give such a better idea of our time in Uganda.
Marion Stagg
Another View of Africa – Thursday 8th April 2010-04-08
By now many of you will have read our daily “blog” on our activities in Uganda and you will have shared with us some of our thoughts, our emotions and our reflections on those experiences, some will have presented different views but I think you will agree everyone has so far enjoyed their visit and many will already have indicated that they will return, so all in all it has been a positive experience. Sadly though there is another side and sometimes something happens that presents you with a completely different set of emotions like anger, frustration, sadness and a complete sense of helplessness. I have been coming to Uganda for 15 years now and after the first few visits you learn to deal with the unexpected and on the whole you cope with the bits that make you mad or sad but still occasionally those other emotions surface again and you realise how difficult it is to help everyone.
Over the last few days quite a few of us have been affected by the plight of one little girl called Sylvia. Sylvia is 18 months old and beautiful. Her parents divorced and shortly after that her Mother died of AIDS. She was at first looked after by her step-mother and it seems she was beaten and caned and generally neglected until her Aunt stepped in and assumed responsibility for her. She has so far never smiled and despite constant attempts to get her to do so we have all failed. She is content to be cuddled all day by any of us and never makes any attempt to leave us but just nestles close to us with this pathetic blank expression on her face. Her clothes are filthy and she needs a wash and her nose seems to be running all the time. Every day she walks the short distance to Bukeka School where our dear friend Livy, the Director of the school, insists she is looked after and fed a cup of porridge (millett and maize flour mixed with water) but she never plays with the other children and just walks around looking lost and sad. At the end of the school day the teachers make sure she is returned safely to her Aunt.
That evening when we returned to Mityana we bought her a new dress and some pants and in the morning on arrival at Bukeka we dressed her in her new clothes. There was little in her face to indicate any reaction to these beautiful new clothes but she looked lovely. Whilst dressing her Gertrude, the Head teacher said she was very hot and running a temperature, her tummy was swollen and tight and it was agreed that she should visit the clinic. Not far from the school was a state run children’s clinic which is where I thought we would be going but Gertrude explained that there would be no medication for her here so it was better to take her to the local clinic just across the road. We entered a little shack like building and were invited to sit down on one of two settees by the lady who obviously lived there. Gertrude explained that she was the local midwife/nurse. Whether or not she was officially qualified to treat patients or deliver babies I have no idea but I suspect not. However she did appear to know what she was doing and as I watched her work it was clear that she was doing her best to maintain a clean environment. Two ladies were waiting on the other settee for their turn. There was a little table in the centre, covered with a clean tablecloth and napkins. At the front of the building was a large wooden table with drawers either side and on the table were various items such as a bottle of meths, some plastic boxes containing syringes and needles, other boxes with pills in, some capsules of medication for the syringes, a box of condoms and a book for recording the various treatments administered, there was also a pot with used needles being sterilised in the meths. To the side of the table was a large cupboard which seemed to be full of a variety of medications in tablet and liquid form, some of which were vitamins. After counting out (but not touching them with her hands) some tablets for one of the two ladies they left and it was Sylvia’s turn to be seen. A digital thermometer was put under her arm and her tummy and skin was felt for temperature and tightness. She wasn’t too happy about this but made little fuss. Two injections were then prepared. A sterile needle was used to draw up the liquid from the capsule and the needle was then changed for one of those steeped in the meths. Cotton wool was soaked in the meths and one buttock was swabbed and then injected at which Sylvia screamed and actually fought – the first time I had seen her react to anything. It was a repeat performance in the other buttock after which the thermometer was removed indicating she had a high temperature. Some tablets were then prescribed, counted and placed in 4 separate envelopes, again without touching them, and we were told she was to be brought back in 8 hours time for another injection. At the time of writing I have no idea if this was done. All of this was recorded in the book I mentioned earlier, we paid 6000 shillings with a promise that we would immediately return with another 1000 shillings.
As the day progressed , Sylvia’s temperature seemed to subside but her pulse rate was very high. She sat with me for a very long time and eventually fell asleep in my arms. She slept for a long time and Megan took her from me until eventually one of the teachers took her into the classroom and laid her on a mat where she slept peacefully. When she woke up she refused to drink and would not eat her lunch, but after a while Gertrude brought her some tea and told her that if she drank it she could have a cake and we were all excited because that it what she did. Still we could not make her smile and I don’t think I have ever seen such a sad little face - a face which said so much about her young life, - no love, no affection, beatings, hunger and loneliness. This little soul was empty inside and simply had nothing to smile about and it ripped into our hearts like you would not believe – how can this be in this day and age? But do you know what is even more tragic than Sylvia? In Africa there are tens of thousands of children just like her and as much as we would like to we can’t help them all. But that is why we are here. Through BBF we can make a difference to just a few and that surely has to be better than doing nothing at all.
As for Sylvia, well for a few days we were able to give her some love and a very brief feeling of security but I doubt that she has a future. Those at Bukeka will do their best but I seriously doubt that next time I visit she will still be with us but when I get home and have “one of those days” I shall think of her and count my blessings that my grandchild, due in June may not have everything they want but will never know what it is like not to be loved and wanted which is a basic human right.

Marie Goulding – BBF Sponsorship Secretary
Sylvia Update 9th April 2010
Today has been a good day, a day which saw such a remarkable change in our little Sylvia which can only be down to the medication and treatment she had yesterday and this morning.
Before we arrived at Bukeka Sylvia’s aunt had taken her back to the clinic for the final injection which we paid for yesterday. I have no doubt that Sylvia made as much fuss as she did yesterday but even though she wouldn’t understand it was well worth it.
By the time I arrived Sylvia was sitting with Lindsay, she was more alert and taking much more interest in what was going on around her and she had had a drink of water and a cake. We were all so pleased but still she had not smiled. I went off to take some photos and later was called back to see what was going on. Lindsay was playing “round and round the garden ...” and to our utter astonishment Sylvia started to laugh. At first it was a slight grin, then, a turn of the head and a chuckle and this was repeated many times. Throughout the rest of the morning she sat mostly with Lindsay and was happy to hold a bottle of water and drink when she wanted, she still didn’t want to get down though.
Lunch was served and a helping of rice, potatoes, meat, cabbage and ground nut sauce was given to our little star. She sat on the mat and Lindsay indicated to her to eat with her fingers, which is what she would normally do – but no, not today instead the only way she was going to eat was if someone fed her. We thought this was great because it was a clear demonstration by this little girl that she was really going to milk this situation for all its worth. She ate a huge meal and and we had some more laughter when I started blowing raspberries around her neck and face. After a while I took her into the classroom to lay her down for a sleep where the other babies usually laid, but although she stayed where she was put, there was no way she was going to sleep in case she missed something. Shortly before we left I went back into the classroom and found her standing up, she took my hand and we walked out onto the verandah. I took her hands with the intention of helping her to jump from the verandah with me but instead she held up her arms to be picked up and once again nestled into my neck. I passed her onto one of the teachers and we left, she wouldn’t smile but I guess she was a bit sad that we were leaving again.
The change in this beautiful little girl was amazing. She had a cocktail of drugs which sorted out the immediate problem but I guess in reality we have enabled a short term solution to a long term problem, but at least she has had a good day too and if she had a chance of experiencing real love from quite a few people then however long it lasts it was well worth it.
Saturday 10th April 2010
With some sleep under our belts we were ready for another day of Ugandan breakfast with a European twist, it was only sausages but at least we had them. After Chris ruined a perfectly good sausage sandwich with the only variety of Heinz available in Uganda (Tomato Ketchup), we, being the newbies were all set to head off to the Ugandan equator. Ten of us in all were making sure we had been to the toilet as there would be no stopping the 2 and a half hour bus journey to follow. With Rogers at the wheel and a new found shortcut which halved the time from 5 hours we were reasonably happy. We knew we could count on Rogers’ rally skills at the helm of a mini bus but we didn’t expect to be constantly stopped by traffic police and road crews. I’m sure they were doing their job but it did seem like it was just too much of a spectacle to miss, 10 white people struggling in the African sun. Despite the constant stops we were able to get to the equator before everybody closed up and left. Rogers missed his 2 and a half hour deadline, much to Megan’s displeasure but it was only by thirteen minutes so he just avoided a severe beating! We got off the bus eager to stretch our legs and once Luke, Chris and I saw Uganda shirts we were walking better than ever.
Now it was time to find the toilets, at 200 shillings we didn’t care about the price, we needed to go. It was here that my dad John found what Anna had found at one of the schools, a white rabbit. Now she could prove to the doubters they exist, and even better, it was on the equator, which makes everything better. We thought it best to do everything we planned before telling her the good news though; you don’t want to spoil a high quality surprise like that!
It came to the time of the photo shoot, posing, waiting and clicking away we stood under the arch at the equator. We were amazed that even Godfrey and Rogers were posing under the arch but T.I.A! After the exhausting photo shoot was complete we now had our sights set on the shops and a certain cafe. Once in we discovered the greatest of foods a westerner can devour in Uganda, a cheeseburger, which certainly hit the spot. Quickly followed up by some of the greatest chips I have ever tasted we were all set for some bargaining, we were not going to accept Mzungu prices today. White Ugandan football shirts were the order of the day and a lucky salesman sold four to some very happy tourists! Now came the purchases of simple gifts for friends, loved ones.....or yourself. I wasn’t going to spoil myself today so I bought gifts for friends and let my dear mother Jackie haggle away. I am certain it is a Northern Irish trait passed through the generations and works surprisingly well in Uganda. After spending all my money I then discovered the greatest and perhaps largest mask I have ever seen, and only for about £28 *75,000 UGSH*.
After browsing, haggling and buying it was home time, the bus had been left to bake at gas mark five meaning we were sweating buckets, even Rogers was suffering, something I have never seen before. We were now praying the fridge had been working to chill the water, with our prayers answered, we quenched our thirsts and used the water bottles cool our heads. With refreshing fluids in our dried out bodies we were off. Rogers, keen to meet his deadline of two and a half hours was taking a shorter shortcut. It wasn’t all lightning fast though, we did have to make a pit stop for some native stools. Anna, Michelle and Megan were desperate to buy and now they had to find a place for them on the bus. Two were safe but Anna’s was relying on downhill driving as her stool was resting on the fridge. Her female intuition kicked in and she realised, it wasn’t safe so it was now placed in the gap at the door. She wasn’t wasting 7,000 shillings on a stool for it to become faulty. With the stools in comfortable positions we got back to conversing or listening to music. Some even decided to try and nod off which isn’t going to happen on Uganda’s finest of roads never mind Uganda’s regular roads. Soon enough though we were back at Enro hotel ready to tell the old hands of a place they already knew. Now all I needed was the room key and I was ready to crash out on the bed for an hour or two but there were no workers to be found so I had to wait while slightly nodding off in a rather nice leather chair in reception. Once I received my room key I wasted no time in hitting the bed. Sleep however was now off the list as the hotel kindly started playing some country music. Hard to be enjoyed by myself at the best of times, it certainly wasn’t going to grow on me when it was keeping me up. Instead I got some time to relax and melt on the bed. After that I was ready to go up to the bar and again relax, in the company of the Building Brighter Futures gang.
A wedding one minute away was causing some noise and quite a gathering of wedding goers also found their way to the bar making things interesting and cramped. At least it was food time soon; we could definitely see chicken, rice, beef and soup on the cards. Expecting as such my enthusiasm for the food wasn’t sky high but being hungry I got tucked in like everybody else. Back to the bar for some more relaxing and conversing. The pool table was definitely out of the question as it was surrounded by everyone. If one of the group managed to wrestle through the mob and get a game, they are of hero status.
I think from me it is goodnight, my eyes are closing ever so casually and it seems my room mate Chris is already throwing out Z’s. Big day tomorrow, I don’t want to ruin what is happening so I will leave it to tomorrow’s blogger to explain in detail what unfolds.
A goodnight from Uganda
Karl Morris
Out Final Day at Bukeka 11th April

It seems a long time since we wrote our last blog and so much has happened over the last week that kept us busy.
On arrival at Bukeka it was great to see the finished playground in use and the gate was getting very close to completion. The place was buzzing and parents were beginning to show up too.
Prior to our arrival Eric had already spoken to Livy about not having too many long speeches and because he is so good at understanding us Brits he really did keep the speeches few, short and to the point, however they did follow some 3 hours of entertainment given by the children! Each class performed on several occasions and we watched enchanted as they sang and danced and performed some local ritual dances. Many of their songs are made up for the occasion and if you have never experienced it before it really is something to see. Their sense of rhythm with dance and the use of their local drums is quite something, even the youngest children there did their stuff. I guess it is true to say that after a couple of hours some of us were getting a little restless but we really have to understand that this type of entertainment is very much a part of Ugandan culture, they love to perform for people and it is important that we allow them to do so.
After the entertainment one of the parents represented all there by talking about how pleased they were with developments at the school and how much they appreciated and welcomed our presence and our input. Another representative of the locality also spoke, saying pretty much the same and she was followed by a local counsellor who spoke enthusiastically about the schools in his area, both state and private and went on to point out that although a private school, Bukeka is one of the best in the area and has been selected to receive some educational support by way of books etc. That received huge applause and we hope it really does happen. Livy then said a few words and finally invited Eric, who (wait for it) spoke for the longest time.
After the speeches everyone present was fed, following which we did a bit of mingling and soon prepared to leave. It was yet another experience for many on the team and I hope they carry nothing but good memories back to the UK with them but more importantly they have all played such an important part in further increasing the profile of Bukeka which believe me really does make a difference.
Marie Goulding
Reflections on our Second week by Eric Goulding 11th April 2010
Returning to Bukeka Children’s Centre was as special and moving as always with hugs and big smiles from the teachers while the children welcomed us with songs.
Everything at the school looked much the same as it did when we left it, the classrooms were in need of some refurbishment and the lack of scholastic materials still obvious, that said the children were still enthusiastic to learn even with us disrupting the school week.
Our programme was much the same as at Kavule with team members working in the classrooms, others installing a playground and the remainder going out on field trips with some of the children and teachers. Listed below some of our achievements.
• Footballs and sports equipment provided
• Every child being taken on a field trip to Tanda Pit Caves
• Special full lunch provided by and shared with the children every day
• Outside of classroom painted by BBF members
• Lessons prepared and delivered by the BBF team including, Art classes, English lessons and storytelling, balloon modelling, juggling, football, Rugby etc
• Internet provided for the director and school to use
• Lap top provided
• Play equipment provided: Swing, roundabout, see saw, climbing frame and slide.
• Books, pencils and education resources provided
• Musical instruments provided
• Entrance gate and perimeter wall provided and installed
All in all a very successful week however one discovery was the water source used by the school, nothing more than a muddy puddle, we soon found out that this “puddle” served the whole community of over 2000 people.
There is no clean water source anywhere in the area, maybe this is a challenge for someone reading this to take up?
The last day (which happened to be my birthday) was spent listening to the children singing for us after a traditional birthday cake with candles, a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday and of course making a wish. It was Sunday, not a school day, yet it appeared that all the children were present, the parents turned out in force and were delighted to see their children perform song after song for nearly three hours!
A few speeches were made thanking us for our continuing support and praising the teachers for their good work. The local education officer praised the quality of the education being delivered and promised to offer what support he could.
The leaving was emotional, we promised to go back, a promise I know we will keep.
Travel Update
Every hour we are watching CNN news, looking on the web and getting messages from home, but not knowing when we can fly is very frustrating.
We had rebooked for tomorrow (Tuesday 20th) but this has been cancelled and we are now booked for next Monday 26th.
Everyone is in good spirits and last night we were hosted by Safari Tours our travel agent here in Uganda to a fantastic party at the home of the owners Jackson and Espe.
The ministry of Tourism sent Jimmy A Kigozi the tourism development officer, various tour company owners turned up and the executive director of Ugandan Tourism all made the event very memorable.
I was interviewed for national television along with several of the party, fame at Last!
The party was a huge success, great food, plenty to drink and fantastic company. The evening lifted everyone’s spirits and the news of another delay did not seem so bad.
We are lucky, we have rooms in the Central Hotel, as you can imagine hotel space is now very limited near the airport, so we should count our blessings.
Everyone is well, so watch this space for updates.
Eric
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