Day 5 - Back to School

​Our third day of constructing the house at the Village of Hope began at 9, whilst it was cool. After adding another 3 layers of bricks to the walls of the house, we wrapped up building. Following another delicious lunch made by the wonderful Juliet, we walked through the local roads, to Hope Community High School, where we were greeted by founder and director Robert Kafeero. Robert told us much regarding the Ugandan school system including what subjects each year level undertakes. 

We then assembled along the boundaries of the soccer pitch, where we introduced ourselves individually, to all the students of the school before us. Following an exciting soccer match between ourselves and local school children a volleyball match eventuated. Throughout, we conversed with local children and teenagers and learnt much about their aspirations and daily routines. It was incredibly inspiring to view the happiness and intrigue for the wider-world, in each student.
 
To make our day even more rewarding we made our way to the Village of Hope, where we were able to play with all the children we had met the day before. The ongoing excitement of each child brought great happiness and delight to each of us. Our mobile phones seemed the main attraction, where once again, many, many photos and videos were taken. One of our members, Katie, sat in a group with at least 15 children singing songs, in a moment which made all the day’s hard work, in the heat, entirely worth it.
 
After dinner we broke off into groups and discussed how each one of us was dealing with the array of new experiences, to which each of us is handling differently. I can speak on behalf of everyone in saying that each of us hold great excitement for the coming days and weeks of the trip.
 
- Ben Abbey