Uganda 2014: Week 10

Professional

Wet start to the day!

With placement finished we have only had a few classes to attend this week. It has been interesting to note that lecture start times are dependent on the weather so despite our trek to University for an 8am start in the rain our classmates and lecturer didn't arrive until the rain stopped at 9am. Our class representative has been very helpful during our time in university and he will send us a text message if he knows a class will be cancelled.

Cultural

We have tasted some delicious African food during our time in Uganda, but Wednesday’s lunch was by far the best we have had yet! It was not cooked by a top Ugandan chef, but by 10 year old Shaban! In the Tomorrow’s heroes home all the boys are expected to do chores and cook a meal each week. This is not something that is unfamiliar to the boys as from a young age most of them are expected to participate in domestic tasks around the home. Clearly prior to Shaban’s life on the streets he was taught to and expected to cook for his family.

Shaban and his delicious meal

Eating with our hands

Research has shown that in Africa ‘young people do more domestic work and have greater responsibility for tasks like cooking, fetching water and wood than other young people.’ (Evans and Becker, 2009, p.25)

Shaban serving up

Joseph preparing some vegetables

Kitchen in the Tomorrow's Heroes home

Personal

‘Time is precious – use it wisely’ (Kimmel , 2008, p.11)

With only three weeks left we are were hit with the overwhelming feeling that we had to make the most of our time left with the Tomorrow's Heroes boys. It has been a blessing getting to know the boys and during the past week we have taken every opportunity to visit and spend time with them all. It is amazing how much fun a packet of balloons, paper and markers can be. We had paper aeroplane contests, craft competitions and dodge ball with balloons – just what they needed after a morning of tutoring. Some of the boys in the home have not yet received sponsorships and so are receiving tutoring at home for the next term.

Shaban is in there somewhere?!

A very excited boy

Balloon art

Jonathan showing off his craft

Tennis with the street kids

On Saturday morning we took the street boys for some tennis coaching. Most of them had never heard of tennis, never mind knowing how to play it! Not surprisingly it didn't take long for them to learn and they proved real competition for me. I was exhausted but there was no time to stop.

Tennis coaches

Time for a break

Burnt and tired but no time to stop!

We were back on the road and headed for an afternoon with the boys from the Tomorrow’s Heroes home. Dodge ball, football and swimming were on the agenda. My personal highlight of the day was swimming. I taught Shaban and Joseph the ‘doggy paddle’, holding them up in the water with an arm each. Tom and Swibe took great pleasure in dunking me under water – thankfully I’m not afraid to dunk them back! I left the boys that evening with a smile on my face and I know memories that have been created will be hard to forget.