Day 7 Sunday 5 March 2023 NVI service and afternoon cocktail party

Sunday morning saw an early start for some of Team 2 as they headed to NVI for the morning service in the chapel at the new start time of 8am! The singing could be heard on the walk to the chapel and was a wonderful start to the day. The students sang with such gusto and enthusiasm, dancing away on stage and even some of the small children of the teachers joined in with a performance on the stage. It was interesting to see the “machine men” at work looking after the technology for the music - speakers, cables, keyboard etc and it was lovely to see the new guitar still in use. After the service we were treated to the now very familiar NVI catering which included cake, filling any tummies that missed breakfast.

15mins after our return to the hotel we swiftly headed for lunch out that included the most amazing ice creams and sundaes you could imagine, a welcome treat after a hot week. We have certainly learnt that Ugandan hospitality is something else!

A “cocktail party” had been arranged for the afternoon in the garden of Hotel Paradise which brought together many past UgandAid students of NVI and the UgandAid team over sodas and (more!) cake - baked by a previous catering student from NVI. Each of the alumni had their own stories to tell from where they had come from to their current life and business ventures. Three of the former students spoke to the group about their stories, their fond memories of their time at NVI, their appreciation and ongoing love of UgandAid and their future plans. Hearing the individuals speak so eloquently and passionately was a moment that won’t soon be forgotten and left us in no doubt that whatever they put their minds to they will achieve, not just in their businesses but in their plans to give back to their communities by providing opportunities inspired by their experiences of UgandAid and NVI.

This was a very special day enjoyed by all with many laughs shared between the alumni and the team, special thanks go to the organisers including Joseph from NVI and particularly former student Isaac for his work in contacting and organising other alumni and coordinating the speakers, including giving a very rousing and heartfelt speech of his own.