Day 6: Painting cow poo on walls

​To all the parents who are still worried about their kids, you can relax knowing that the worst part of our days is the few minutes of silence when Kaitlyn asks who will be writing todays blog.
 
Unlucky for you readers, today I am the chosen one, the well-written blog entry’s are no longer.
 
So concluding the disclosure, what a cow crap of a day we have had… literally.
We woke too early, to the annoying alarms I feel we are beginning to know too well. Juliet, Peace and Elizabeth spoiled us, creating an African special of half-cakes for breakfast (aka donuts), after enjoying our special breakfast we began to get ready for our days work.

​We walked down the road to the Village of Hope. A village full of the happiest, kindest and most welcoming people who come from some of the hardest circumstances. Separated in many groups we begun our work consisting of painting the community area, moving bricks, filling gaps in the walls and rendering.
 
Many of us happily volunteered to render the homes, that was, until we found out the main ingredient, cow poo (thanks mum for not reminding me to pack gloves). Whilst many of us are amazed by the Ugandan’s ability to use organic materials, we couldn’t help but realise we were simply painting cow poo on the walls. After many conversations and dodges from the poo, we felt closer, because after all what bonds people more than painting poo on the walls.
 
Returning to Suubi House, many showers later, we enjoyed our typical lunch of rolls filled with coleslaw, avocado and boiled eggs (filled with grey yolk). Continuing our day, we headed to the Jinja Christian School, a primary school filled with 233 students, some currently completing their exams. After walking into classes, many of us greeted with songs and welcomed with open arms. Each child grabbing our hands, they pulled us to the playground, showing us their favourite games and toys. I made friends with two young girls who sang me a song about friendship and told me we are now best friends. After winning & losing a few games of ‘a Kenyan Kissed a Frog’, we headed to the older students where a young girl from the Village of Hope named Naomi recognised me from days ago.
 
We all continued to play games and enjoy the company of our new friends in the pouring rain, until it was home time, where we all walked home together.
We arrived home for more showers, to see photos from home, play games of UNO, battleship and my new favourite, up the river, down the river.
 
Dinner was another crowd favourite of rice, beans and posho. Posho is a traditional African meal, made from maize that resembles mash photo however tastes rather bland. 
 
Now, after dinner many of us are listening to another musical performance from the boys or relaxing on the roof-top gazing at the stars. We are all feeling very excited for the rest of our journey in Africa that is to come.
 
- Olivia