This summer (2005) seven pupils and two teachers from St David's College, LLandudno flew to Uganda on what was to become an experience that would change our lives.
We followed a set timetable of events with different topics including art, craft, dance and sport. The children had so much energy and they had amazing imagination; they loved glitter and sequins which they hadn't seen before. We made penguin finger-puppets, snapping crocodile-clips, spiders' webs and face masks.
We took some sports equipment, which was really good as they only had one very old ball - we take a lot for granted in Britain. Probably the best thing we took with us was an old parachute. We played lots of games with it and left it at the school.
Whilst half the team were playing games the other half were working on the building site nearby. We've got blisters to prove it, and mixing the concrete was often interrupted by a ball landing in the cement! The building work is done by hand as John prefers to employ local people rather than use machines.
The bricks are all made by hand, and had to be handled carefully as they break easily. We set up a chain-gang to move a massive pile, which showed good teamwork and helped our communication skills. We all got the chance to lay some bricks, closely inspected by the professionals - guess they didn't want the new wall falling down!
On Sundays we went to church in Kampala. It is so different to Knutsford Methodist Church and a bit 'happy clappy'. The first 45 minutes was all singing, so very joyful; then prayer time when we held hands; then the sermon which was always to the point and would include important issues in Uganda such as AIDS - it really made us think. Compared to us the people had very little, yet they were so thankful to God for what they did have. It opened our eyes to a different view of our own faith and was very moving.
With thanks to our Church for supporting us on this amazing adventure.
We visited a former pupil, John Njendahio, who now runs a Christian Outreach Centre near Kampala, and we spent most of our time at Katwe United Primary School, sharing our faith and helping to build two new classrooms. The children were wonderful; they put on a show for us and their singing was so enthusiastic and their costumes so colourful.
Caroline & Rebecca B xx