Arrival in Uganda

My team and I have arrived in Uganda :) .

We had a safe journey despite a few escapades along the way, including my debit card being swallowed up by a vending machine when I was trying to buy water just before we were about to board the plane (!) 

 

I was really pleased that we were able to get most of our extra luggage full of resources for the children on the plane. Some of you may know that Smile initially had problems persuading Emirates airline to give us extra charity baggage for free or at a reduced rate as had been agreed with British Airways before they closed the route down. Thankfully, we had an answer to prayer and they changed their minds at the last minute to give us a reduced rate. I also tried to circumvent the system by wearing several layers of clothes and a special waistcoat with lots of pockets that converts into a bag so I could fit more resources in my case. In the end I was wearing about 5kg kilograms so I must have looked rather interesting. I don't know how I managed to pass through with it on!!

Thank you so much to everyone who donated resources. They will be so helpful when running the children's clubs and I'm sure the children will love them.

It was really hard to say goodbye to my family but I am so glad that we have WiFi in Uganda so I can still talk to them. The Internet definitely makes the world a smaller place. Please feel free to send me your Skype name if you want to chat :) . 

My team at the airport- Lois, Alex (the Smile Uganda project manager) , Kate,
Barry (the trip co-ordinator ) and I

Plane selfies!!

We arrived at Entebbe airport at about 15:00 and managed to get our visas without any problems. After we had collected our bags, we were greeted by several of the local Smile volunteers who were really friendly and kindly carried our bags for us.

On the journey to Nansana I was able to talk to Anna, one of the previous gappers who is back visiting, about her experiences in Uganda, which was lovely and very encouraging.


After the long flight, the 2 hour journey felt like sensory overload. I was tired from the 24 hour journey but the immediate thing that stuck out was that the air tasted different.  I just remember thinking how busy every part of the road from Entebbe to Kampala in a different kind of way to anywhere else I have experienced- there was a real buzz.

We are now settling into the Smile accomodation, where I share a room with Lois and Kate. The house is very nice and we are all pleased that there is hot water, a new water filter so we don't have to boil water to make it safe and a Western toilet (!) .

Although we will be cooking for ourselves for most of our meals whilst we are here, one of the volunteers Olivia kindly made us a delicious dinner so we had time to adjust. I am looking forward to learning how to cook Ugandan meals.

The Smile house

Thank you for all your messages of support and prayers! It is such an encouragement to hear from home as I am settling in. I will be posting again soon.

Please pray for:

- My replacement debit card to arrive quickly
- That we will settle in fast and not suffer from too much culture shock.
-Our safety as we use public transport like taxi buses and boda boda motorcyles.