Wednesday 18th February

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Tuesday

Our first full day in Jinja.

After an early get up time we started the day in our customary way gathering in a quiet place for a time of reflection and prayer. Led by Janet we reflected on the time we will be spending in Uganda, and the plans that God has in store for us.

We travelled to the Nile Vocational Institute (NVI) a short drive away across the other side of the River Nile, and were warmly welcomed by members of the senior management team.

Then it was off to the girls’ dormitories to start the preparations to decorate one of the rooms.

After washing down the walls and cleaning up we had lunch. in the afternoon we put on the undercoat. The room looks much brighter already. More decorating will follow tomorrow.

I first came to Uganda 19 years ago and I have visited many times since.

People ask why I keep going back, and I used to struggle to explain the pull of going to Uganda until I finally realised that it wasn’t about what we do, it is about people and relationships.

I have met many lovely people over the years and it is simply wonderful to be back here once again this year.

6 years ago I met Isaac, a young man who had a difficult start in life followed by him having an accident, which resulted him being severely burned after an epileptic fit.

Isaac was recommended to study at NVI by the Jinja Hospice and started a plumbing course. As soon as Geoff and I saw him we knew we wanted to sponsor him. After graduating after a 3 year course, we worried what Isaac would do next as due to his facial burns and other problems he would find it difficult to find employment.

NVI agreed to let him stay for an additional 18 months, ending in December 2025, doing voluntary work, and we said we would continued to support him. We felt it would give Isaac more time to develop his skills, but more importantly to become more of the person he should have become if the accident hadn’t happened.

We thought that we might not see him again, but God had other plans.

Just after Christmas we heard that the NVI management had asked Isaac to return to NVI.

They are providing him with bed and board and are paying him a small wage.

We are beyond delighted and this morning as we got out of the bus he was there coming to meet us.

We thank God for his plans for Isaac, who told us last year that he knows that God knows him by name.

Julie

Tuesday 17th February

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After a very early start (2am for Dave)for 6am flight we arrived safely in Uganda. Just 1 suitcase short unfortunately, but Jane is embracing the need to manage with minimal clothing etc. What a trooper.  ❤
Today we're heading to Jinja. Really appreciating the cooling cloud cover as we battle the traffic,  especially motorcycles which are the local "taxis"  often carrying one/ two people or a whole family,  or a sofa!  But we are in the safe hands of Katendei our regular driver for the 3 1/2 hour journey from Entebbe.
As we are stuck in traffic,  roadside vendors come to the window to offer us fruit and drinks.
We see and smell the burning charcoal used for cooking but also the stench of burning rubbish.

We see the beautiful green country, in many places growing the lovely Ugandan tea and coffee.
Some ladies are digging small plots outside the home, ready to plant their seeds just before the rains come next month, hoping and praying they do come. These days the twice a year rains are less reliable and too often the crops fail.
And as I write,  the rain starts to fall!
We arrive in Jinja where we are welcomed by friends and staff at Paradise Hotel, so grateful for safe travel. We are ready for a good night's sleep before meeting more friends and students at Nile Vocational Institute tomorrow. 

We are excited to see what God has planned for us over the next two weeks and to share our adventure with you.

God Bless.

Helen.

Day 14 03/03/25 (Brian)

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Today has been an emotional day as we said goodbye to many dear friends in Jinja and began our journey home.

It was wonderful to spend time as a team reflecting on these 2 weeks, sharing personal impacts, memories, challenges and encouraging words for times ahead of us. Edison , Joseph and Judith came to see us off, and Edison prayed a blessing over us , these were memorable moments with them.

Personally, there are so many special moments I will treasure but maybe a couple to mention include yesterday’s Ugandaid Alumni gathering, where we heard fabulous testimony from past students about how Ugandaid sponsorship has shaped their lives in new ways, and to hear their words of love for Joseph our Ugandaid coordinator ar NVI. He is a dear friend to all of us and an exceptional man, rich in love, wisdom and humility.

And secondly, today we had an update that blessed us all, shared by Dave Hall, who is helping coordinate the team's ambition to improve the food for street children engaged by CRO - their first change of diet from porridge to more nutritious food for some time and for the year ahead. (See pics), these children will remain in our hearts for many years to come.

Finally, after the bumpy, hot, but yet captivating journey to Entebbe, we had time to relax at a lovely venue near to the airport, and reached the airport in good time.

Announcements have just been made, so we're preparing to board and come home. I’m privileged to sign off our final blog post, on this amazing trip, and thank everyone who has supported and prayed for us over this time.

"God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good!!"

Amen.

Brian

Day 13 02/03/25 (Julie)

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It is our penultimate day here in Uganda. The day started with clear skies and early morning sunshine, as it has been everyday since we arrived. The temperatures have been over 30C + everyday and there has been not even one drop of rain.

After an early breakfast we left the hotel at 8.00am to drive to NVI. The church service at NVI starts from about 7.00am and our team led the service from 8.30.

We had organised a choir and practised before dinner each evening. We sang five songs accompanied on guitars played by our Ugandan friend Jimmi, and Dave H. We were joined by friend Joshua, an ex Ugandaid student. We concluded our part of the service by singing the Blessing both in English and Lugandan.

We presented a visual enactment of trust, which was really appreciated by the students.

Steve E was our preacher and delivered his sermon based on the subject of hospitality.

We also presented a Skit based on hospitality. The Ugandans love skits and there was much laughter at our attempts. Our theme was Matthew 7 7-8.

“Ask I it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened”.

Edison gave a wonderful address and effusive thanks to our team.

Earlier in the week we were all measured for either a shirt or a dress. The finished garments were presented to us at the end of the service by Edison and the lovely Mr Deo, the Head of Textiles.

On a lighter note we had a guest appearance during the service from a chicken, which casually strutted across the stage, pecked the floor, jumped off the stage and quietly left the building through the side door.

Following the service we went over to the Library for the official opening of the renovated facility. There was a guard of honour with four of our team holing aloft paint rollers, and Joan cut the ribbon along with Edison and The Reverend.

The Textiles department adjacent to the library put on a display of garments that had been made by some of the Ugandaid students. Each student proudly showed

their garments to us.

A reception under the Mango tree followed. Snacks drinks and cake were available, prepared and served by some of the catering students. It was a lovely convivial occasion with our team and NVI staff.

After a 5 minute pit stop, off we went again to a local house owned by Betty, an old friend of Ugandaid, where we had the opportunity to buy some local crafts.

Our last official occasion of the trip was a gathering of the Ugandaid Alumni and NVI staff. Isaac, an ex Ugandaid student organises the gathering for us and issues invitations. NVI staff including Edison, the Director also attended.

It was a lovely time chatting with the ex students. They also had a go at the visual enactment of trust.

We gathered in the lower garden overlooking river Nile. We drank sodas, and slices of a magnificent cake made by Joshua, now a professional chef, whose cafe the team visited on Saturday.

Some of the ex students Joshua, Susan, Henry, John and Isaac gave inspirational speeches as to how being sponsored by Ugandaid had changed the their lives.

During the afternoon we had a visit from a group of Americans who belong to an International community development organisation, which currently supports young children through school. They are interested in supporting older young people and have come to learn more about the Ugandaid and NVI partnership.

This has been a wonderful trip with a lovely team where everyone has taken part in all our activities, throwing themselves whole heartedly into everything.

We’ve made new friends and reunited with old friends both in the team and here in Uganda. Whilst missing people at home it has, as always, been a joy and a blessing to be able to spend time with the beautiful people in this wonderful country.

Post Script

In anticipation of our departure, it is cloudy, windy and threatening to rain!

Day 12 01/03/25 (Alayna)

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Day 12

Upon waking, I realized that we go home in a few days. It felt odd to realize that because I’ve just seemed to have settled into things here…

We started the morning by going to Joshua’s culinary shop. He was so happy to receive us there. And we could see how proud and honoured he was at our arrival. After looking around his shop at the types of food and cakes he makes (which are incredibly impressive and some are very complicated) we all sat down in his little cafe area. He formally greeted us with a speech about his life story…his beginnings, time at NVI, and what he’s done since then. It was so inspirational to hear what a difference people have made in his life, and the resilience and passion he has displayed to get to where he is today. I’m always so impressed at how eloquent and genuine the people are here. They choose their words so carefully, and they are so full of meaning and purpose. The self-awareness and reflection they must have in order to speak like that is so moving to witness and experience. Their words cut straight to my heart.

Some of us went back to CRO in the early afternoon to drop off bags of rice and beans for the street children. Noah was so thankful for the gift and his appreciation really showed. It was a bit of an emotional moment for some (or maybe it was just me). Sometimes even little acts of kindness have a giant impact. Even when serving others doesn’t seem like enough, it means so much to those receiving. I need to remember that when I feel like how I serve others will not be enough.

The afternoon was filled will planning skits for the church service tomorrow, choir practice for church, and a few hours of relaxing. Everyone really took things onboard and engaged in the process which was so perfect. As my parents always used to say, many hands make light work, and that indeed rang true today. We really are a team.

Day 11 28/02/25 (Dave H)

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We started today by reflecting on beauty and how we have seen it in the people we have met and places we have been. Despite the poverty and daily challenges faced by almost everyone, beauty shines out in abundance.

After breakfast we put together, with military-level organisation (thanks to Julie and Helen), gift bags to give to the new first year Ugandaid students. The bags comprised various items needed to help them settle in, including soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, notepads, pens, pencils and pair of pants!

After lunch, we took the bags, along with the metal trunks and vacuum flasks purchased earlier in the week, over to NVI where we awaited the new students. After a short welcome speech from Christine and Steve, the team distributed all the bags, trunks and flasks and then watched on as the students decorated them with paint and stickers. We then had time to relax with the students, chatting and singing together, to bring to an end a special afternoon.

Day 10 27/02/25 (Peter)

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Today has been a great day and a chance to catch up with the Ugandaid students who have returned for the second or third year of their training. The primary purpose of these “interviews” or conversations is to provide an update for their sponsors in the UK.

It’s also a great opportunity for team members to hear first hand the stories of Ugandaid students, which is has been a great encouragement to us all.

Having seen the typical village situation of some of the students yesterday we can see how NVI has the opportunity to transform lives which otherwise could remain without hope.

During the afternoon some of the team went shopping to buy metal storage trunks for the Ugandaid students who come to NVI with nowhere to put their possessions, but more of that tomorrow...

Earlier this week I paid a visit to Act 4 Africa where I met up with Patrick and visited a community which had received basic agricultural training from his team. Last season (June-Dec 2024), the villagers report an 8-fold increase in yield when compared to previous years. Training in better ways of storing harvested grain will also ensure farmers can retain the grain free from insect infestation, enabling them to use it for school fees or selling it when the market prices are high.

I asked the farmers how their neighbours had reacted to the 8-fold improved output. Some say their neighbours are curious and want to learn more, whist one neighbour believes the yield improvement is due to witchcraft! Patrick tells me education may help demonstrate this is not the case.

Thanks, Peter

Day 9 26/02/25 (Helen)

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Today we find ourselves bouncing along the rough roads out to a village. I promise I will never again complain about the state of our roads at home!

Our destination is the home of Shaluwa Namayania. She is a UgandAid student at Nile Vocational Institute who has just reported for her second year in Cosmotology (hairdressing) and we have been invited to her home. Having collected Shaluwa and Joseph, our UgandAid coordinator on the ground (just one of his many jobs) from NVI, we head off. Her mother is selling vegetables at the roadside an hour's walk from home. We pick her up as we pass by.

What a humbling experience to sit outside her home as she tells us her story of family rejection due to being albino. She is so thankful for Shaluwa's opportunity for further education at NVI. She prays for us as we travel, and we sing The Blessing over her and two of her 9 children. Leaving traditional gifts of sugar, salt and soap we head off, dropping her back to her stall.

Another bumpy ride later, we arrive at the home of another student John, who has just completed the welding and sheet metal fabrication course.

As we arrive we get some nervous looks from the pre school children. But they squeal with delight as they chase bubbles from Steve Y. and Dave H. and played catch with a pebble. It feels like fun is in short supply here.

Finally,  back to Jinja to buy gifts for the new students, more on that another day.

Helen xx

Day 8 25/02/25 (Steve Y)

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The theme of our morning reflection was one of privilege and poverty and although there is large amounts of poverty they are rich in spirit.

With spirit comes responsibility and after finishing the library refurbishment today we visited the home of Isaac‘s parents Francis and Topista in the slum area of Masese. They have nothing materially but the biggest and warmest hearts for God. There has been a lot of raw emotion this week but the joy they have, brings much comfort to us all. We all want to make a difference. Though you can’t change the world, making the difference in one life is possible here in Uganda and back home.

Thx Steve

Day 7 24/02/25 (Liam)

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Today we went to NVI to finish painting the roof, scraped the floors, bleached the floors (as well as my brand new shorts, which are no longer brand new). Also, we were measured for shirts….multiple times. I think we became part of a training exercise for the textiles students.

We went to CRO and saw the street children today. These kids do not have homes and spend their days on the street. They are offered an opportunity at CRO to change their future. It’s so surprising that some of them don’t right away. I guess these kids have never been able to rely on adults in their lives, so there needs to be trust built first. It’s such a brutal reality that they have to go through. However it is really good that they have somewhere they can go to for a cup of porridge and a chance to get off the streets.

It was so beautiful to see how happy they were with the balloons and bubbles. Back at home, when you get to a certain age, balloons are just balloons. But even the older kids were so joyful playing with them. We donated a parachute and despite our efforts to organize a game with it, they immediately came up with their own game. It was nice to see that after they were done playing with it, one of the kids picked it up and brought it over to put back in the bag. I was so taken aback by it all.

We finished the evening by having dinner with Joshua, who is an ex-NVI student with a successful bakery and cafe business. It was interesting to hear his story and his views on what makes someone successful.

Thanks, Liam

Day 6 23/02/25 (Janet)

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It has been a day of delights.

We started with a wonderful service of celebration, worship and welcome to new and returning students at NVI - and we, the Ugandaid team, were warmly welcomed too.

With music, dance , prayer and listening to the sermon, we were led to a deeper appreciation and gratitude for all the Lord has done for us. The student choir and the Little Angels group were fantastic and Eddison, the Director of NVI who gave the sermon, whom the group had not heard give a sermon before, was excellent, demonstrating that he is not only an inspiring educational leader but also an inspiring spiritual leader at NVI.

He spoke of character, modelled by Christ, and extolled the values of humility, obedience, respect and commitment.

His message was based on Proverbs 22:4

“Obey the Lord, be humble, and you will get riches, honour and a long life.”

What came through was the love among the community and the family atmosphere at NVI. At one point in the service we were invited to tell the person sitting next to us that we loved them. It seemed perfectly natural.

After a pizza lunch we headed to the riverside for an afternoon of games and a picnic with all the Ugandaid sponsored students. We all had a super time and the students entered into the fun and games wholeheartedly. I was with Julie on the egg and spoon race (tennis ball this year- last year the students ate the boiled eggs before the start of the race) and others did a variety of ball games and races. A good time was had by all.

The day ended with an evening meal at the hotel and a get-together in the garden to reflect on the day.

A blessed day indeed.

Janet

Day 5 (Part 2) 22/02/25 (Dave K)

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Saturday started with reflections in the garden on the theme of “Rest” - this being particularly relevant as it is our only rest day for the trip.

As it was a free day for all, a variety of activities were undertaken by the team - Alayna heading out for horse riding, Dave Liam Brian and Ian went white water riding, Janet, Joan, Julie and Peter met up with their Ugandan friends/students whilst the others took on various shopping duties and chilling out.

It was also great to see Dave Hall who joined up with us as he couldn’t come out to Uganda with the rest of the team last week and we welcomed him with open arms. None more so than Dave Kirby who was reunited with his missing suitcase as Dave Hall rescued it from Entebbe airport on his way through!

Evening stories told of great times through the day and bringing Dave up to speed with the work so far.

Finally garden time at the end of the day was spent putting the finishing touches to the games afternoon for Sunday which is being organised by Liam and Alayna - with each of us assigned our game station!

Day 5 (Part 1) - 22/02/25 (Ian)

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Global warming: Whilst Joseph was showing me around the departments at NVI we came to an apparently disused set of wood workshops which Joseph explained was the carpentry department. The reason why they were not currently in use was because of the low level of interest in taking up carpentry because everyone was aware of the need to stop cutting down trees. For every tree cut down they want to plant six more. Our hotel has solar water heating facilities and rainwater harvesting.

Many rooms have the following notices (Picture 1 below)

This country is one of the poorer countries of the world but appears to be far more prepared to take real positive steps to reduce their carbon footprint which is minuscule compared to the wealthy countries of the world. Yet another example of the things we can learn from this wonderful country - God Bless Uganda!

Day 4 21/02/25 (Julie)

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It is 18 years since I first came to Uganda. I have been here many times. Many people have asked me the question “What do you do when you are there?” I still struggle to make any reply that encompasses exactly what i or we do as a team.

I have come to the conclusion that I never will be able to give a proper answer simply down to the fact that being in Uganda as part of a UgandAid team is down to people and relationships.

We are fortunate to be able to come here to spend time at NVI to help improve facilities, but the real blessing is to get to know the lovely people, including the students sponsored by UgandAid and the staff. Some of them we consider as friends after knowing them for many years. We have the real pleasure of gelling as a team and having lots of fun. We mustn’t forget the staff at our hotel and the mutual respect that we show each other.

We can show photos of poor living conditions, shanty towns, remote villages and the masese slum. We can show photos of the contrast of beautiful scenery, the glorious Nile River and Lake Victoria together with lovely hotels for tourists who come here mainly for the adventures and activities to be had in the area. We cannot convey how we are feeling through the camera. You actually have to be here to appreciate an feel exactly what uganda is all about.

Julie xx

Day 3 20/02/25 (Alayna)

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It’s been a long and once again wonderful day. After morning garden time, we decorated the library at NVI, finishing painting a base layer and starting on coat number 1. The weather called for scattered thunderstorms, which a few of us were excited about, but they never came. We had a late afternoon swim after working and then headed out for dinner and a late night chat. While talking we realized that there were many impactful moments that happened throughout the day…

The first moment that brought tears to my eyes was when it was explained that Isaac was expressing his thanks to the director of the NVI (Edison) for giving him a chance and said “who am I to deserve this love”. What a powerful statement. My heart broke that he didn’t recognize his value and all that he brings to others at NVI. Many questions entered my mind… What must he have experienced to feel so unworthy? Do most people feel this way? Is there a cultural aspect to this? Is it humility? Can he see how much God loves him? Does he have people in his life that help him feel value?

The second moment that stuck with me was when we talked about how many families are separated in Ugandan culture. This could take many forms, such as children going to boarding school, parents remarrying and the children from the previous marriage being sent to live with extended relatives, husbands and wives having jobs 300km away from each other and therefore living in different places while trying to see each other when they have the time and money for the journey, etc. As someone who lives in a different country than my family, I felt the pain of separation they likely feel as they wait for the next moment they’ll be able to see each other again. It’s not easy to live away from family. The sacrifices they make on a daily basis to make their lives better and the lives of their extended emails and children is humbling to witness.

Being here is a truly a reflective and humbling process. It’s an honour and a privilege to experience Uganda.

Much love,

Alayna

Xx

Day2 19/02/25 (Joan)

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This morning we woke after a fairly good night sleep to a beautiful day, we went to devotion at 7.30, it was just like being at home, lovely and fresh with a little chill.

Breakfast was the usual leftovers from the evening before , we had lovely fresh pineapple and water melon but no bananas or mango. At breakfast we were asked if we all had miso nets which we all said yes , you know the nets are always tied up above the beds but Brian said he didn’t have one in his room, he didn’t realise that the object hanging over his bed was , he thought it was a decoration for the room.

We got ready and left for NVI at 9 am . Edison and the staff came to welcome us , we then went to the board room where we were introduced to the staff and them to us . We then had another breakfast the second one of the day. We were taken on a tour of the campus shopping all the subjects that are being taught to the students. At 1pm we were invited to lunch in the board room. It was a lovely spread laid on by the students, it was a lovely lunch .

After lunch we all got changed and proceeded to the library to start with the decorating, we brushed down and scraped the walls ready for tomorrow’s painting. We cleaned up and left for the hotel at 4pm. At the hotel we refresh ready for our evening meal . After our meal we went back to the night garden to catch up on the day with goddies from the box .

Thx Joan

Day 1 18/02/25 (Brian)

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We've arrived!!

Travel has gone well , we are all now checked in at our base in Jinja for the next 2 weeks

The road journey here is always long but equally amazing - so good to see the sights and sounds of street life around Entebbe and Kampala.

When we arrived in Jinja we spent some time at a favourite place overlooking the beautiful Nile river and getting refreshed - it was great to be together as a team (re-uniting with 3 Helen, Peter, Alayna ,who had gone early to see gorillas in the Jungle- they’ll tell you more on their upcoming blogs)

Great to meet Edison (Director of NVI) over dinner and hear a bit about his journey with NVI. The scene is set to start work on the library tomorrow!!

Looking forward to it!

God bless

Brian