Finale

Last week, as I said previously, I was teaching dance and we had a performance on Friday so I had some t-shirts printed to give the group a smart uniform which they can keep.. They looked very sharp it was great to see it all come together.. they performed pretty well, although I think the nerves did get the better of them at some points.. but the crowd loved it and they enjoyed it which was the main thing. They were so grateful for everything. One thing I have noticed is just how dedicated the children are to learn and progress.. its so refreshing considering some of the english pupils dont seem to care about education.. the kids here really understand how important education is and really embrace learning.

Yaz and I took two of the girls from Mengo and two of the girls who we met in the slums out for a meal to say thankyou for making us feel welcome, as we had formed particular close bonds with these girls who show so much potential! We paid for their transport and it was the first time they had been to Garden City.. a mall in Kampala.. you should have seen their faces they were in awe of everything!.. we took them to a harvester type restaurant and they just looked at the menu in shock of the variety of foods.. they said they 'feared milkshake' and didnt know how to use a knife.. one of the girls ordered a burger even though she did not know what it was and didnt like it!... find a kid in the west who turns a burger down for beans and rice!.. obviously we gave her bits of our food as she didnt like the burger.. 'now i feel like a muzumgu in London' and 'we will remember this forever' they said.. they all only ate half their meal and wanted the rest packed so they could take it home to share with their family and friends.. how quick are we to put our knife and fork together and leave half our meal to be thrown away if we are full...

One of the girls later emailled me to thank me for teaching and helping out.. it was such a lovely email she was so grateful.. she said that when she hugs me it feels like she is hugging her mother.. how lovely is that! If just a small thing like a hug can mean so much it was worth this whole trip just for that... I am definately going to stay in touch with her and may come back to be her mentor in that scheme for developing life skills.. its definately what is needed out here.. charity is all well and good but people just become dependant on it.. if we can teach life skills which can enable people to work in a team, lead, organise and work in a business then it would make so much more of a long term difference...


Saturday night the Hope team had our last meal together at the 'Coconut Shack' - where we had become locals during the day, taking the kids there to feed them up!.. it was a lovely way to end such an amazing trip here.. all the girls then went out and we partied up our last night together.. still absolutely lovin the music and dance scene here.. its a great night out!

Sunday, everyone apart from me went back to England.. I've decided to stay here an extra week as I have been given the opportunity to work in a centre for children with Autism this week.. which is obviously what I am trained in back at home so I thought it would be beneficial for me and them to visit.. also I want to see how it is living here without the team as I may come back here at a later date.. dont worry though all the Hope team are still here and I know quite a few people here now, I have good contacts, I know the city.. I even directed a Boda man the other day!.. and I am staying in the same accomodation as I know the staff and know its safe.. your prayers are still welcome though!. its quite strange being here without the teams banter and I miss Yasmin already BIGTIME.. come back gurl!.. its good for me though.. I need to learn to be comfortable with my own company and stretch my independance..plus its building my trust in God

I have today to myself as I am absolutely drained.. literally since we set foot in Uganda it has been non-stop and a very emotional journey and although I have been ill this last week I have had to push my body to the max as I didnt want to let the kids or the team down for their last week.. I just need today to recoop today and I'll be ready for action tomorrow!

Hope everyone at home is ok x i miss you all so much x not long now! Only a week! x love you muchly xx