I'm heeeeere!
Back to the slow internet haha... lets hope this sends!
Oh my gosh where do I start!? The journey here has been amaaaazing!
To start, as I zipped up my rucksack, which was full of bags and gifts for Mydel, I realised that it was actually very heavy and I wasn't too sure how I was going to carry it let along get it through check in! I couldn't leave anything behind as it was all needed for the home, so we called Grandpa and he came to the rescue and helped me carry my bags to the coach....
The coach was late! Aaaand when it arrived in Bristol is was jam packed with people and bags! The lady co-oridinating it all was actually getting quite frustrated that everyone had bought so much luggage... although it was going to the airport! Anyway, I was last to board and thankfully they managed to squeeze my rucksack in and I found a seat near the front. I sat next to a lovely lady who was a geologist working in Greenland.. we had some great conversations and she was very helpful giving idea's on how to get sponsorship for Mydel.
As we hit the motorway it came through that there was a big traffic accident.. a lorry had turned over.. and it was causing a lot of traffic so the coach driver decided to divert via the m3! This got us in at 7.20.. a whole hour late for check in! As soon as I arrived at terminal 5 I hurried to get a trolley so I could move around with my heavy luggage, grabbed my bag and made a quick dash for the check in. It is quite a big terminal so I just asked the first worker I could see where I had to be and he took me to his small computer stand-alone desk, printed my ticket for me and pointed me in the right direction to check in my bag... my very heavy bag! Well the lady at the check in didnt even blink at the weight and pushed it straight through with no problems at all! Sorted!
Next I had to go through security and find the gate.. my gate was in section B which was quite a walk away from the others.. as I got on the lift to the walk way I found myself alone with two Pilots in the lift!! I asked them whether I was going the right way, to which they asked which flight I was on and we discovered that I was travelling on the plane which they were flying!!! The Pilots, Rob and Dan, were very friendly and were interested to find out about what I was doing in Uganda... as I explained about the project Dan showed particular interest as he has been helping in the Babies Home when he can.. they asked what seat I was sitting on and said they would like to find out more, before walking onto the plane first and leaving me at the gate in total amazment of what just happened!
As I went to board the plane the lady questioned my ticket as it failed to register on the computer... which confused the both of us, until she said I had been updated to business class!!!! Obviously the Pilots had done that! I couldnt believe it! I had never flown business class before and it was all very snazzy! I didnt know what half the buttons and gadgets did haha plus the food was very swish! My seat was right near the front with a spare seat next to me.. as the pilots took it in turns to fly, the other would come and chat to me! Daniel in particular showed great interest in helping the project and wanted to pass on information to other cabin crew and pilots so they could help when they stop over in Uganda! We exchanged contact details and he is coming to see Mydel Home tonight!
As you can imagine I didnt get much sleep... I am staying in a different Guest House this time which is walking distance from Mydel... it was so lovely last night as I was just a able to chill with the youth and have a first look at the home... The home is inbedded in the village of Mengo, just behind the main street of Mydel. It has two rooms... each a bit smaller than my lounge.. the walls as very dusty and dirty, there are foam mattresses covering the floor as currently they sleep on them like sardines.. they have one large double bed which was given by their neighbour and a few pots and pans which was also given by a neighbour.. oh and a tv which is being given to the boys when their neighbour is not watching it.... the boys dont have many/if any posessions and they are stuggling to find enough food as the food they are currently eating is actually supposed to be for the other children in the mydel centre rather than the home.. so its been shared out which means everyone is having a very small portion each...
Redondo, a lad about my age, has been supporting the boys a lot in their daily routine, teaching them not to steal and to hold good morals as well as supporting them spiritually... Redondo is a 7th day adventist and the other guy who also helps, Eric, is a Born Again Christian. They both take it in turns to sleep in the house with the boys to oversee it. I am very impressed with what they are doing. Redondo explained that the main need is to have funding specifically for food for the home and also to have beds, as the boys range from 9/10-18 so the older ones need space from the younger ones as they all get in at different times and sleeping arrangements can be difficult. I am going to talk to each of the boys in the home tonight to find out their particular needs and make a list of what is needed so I can start to prioritise and budget.
I must shoot off now as I am meeting Joe, who is a friend of Sam (the man I met at work) to discuss getting Mydel youth involved in Dewe workshops, to help them learn more skills.
Hope everyone back home is ok.. its even hotter here than it has been in England! Thankyou always for your support
Looooove youuuuuuuuuu xxx
ps I gave out the bags last night and they were over the moon!!
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