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!