Day 1 At the Rushmere School

Once we arrived at the guest house in Kampala, it was out for quick shower and back on Moses bus again - still a good few hours off our destination. We had another 80kms to go before we even reached Mityana (the small village in which we stayed for the week) on a very bumpy road which had road works on it this year. There is not enough tarmac in China to be able to makes these roads decent and yet again our backsides and spines took another hiding as we went over bumps, dips and massive rocks at very high speed.

Our first day at the school was great. In typical Ugandan fashion the entire school, parents and village turned out to greet us and to put on a little show for us. It put a smile on the face of each team member and really started the week off on a high. The team this year (as did last year's team) brought out thousands of pounds worth of sports equipment, textbooks and muscial instruments - all made possible through personal donations and the fundraising efforts by the team members.

At the end of the first day we had the opportunity to go and see the site of the old bush school. This is the place where we started last year - an old hut, poor playing area, a stinking long drop and poor access. I am glad this was only a fleeting visit. The progress we have made in less than 12 months is significant and we now have a purpose built school fit for over 500 pupils.

On return to the new school the following morning I noticed that at the back of the new school was a wooden building I had recognised before. Up until that point little did I know that this was the old school hut that had been lifted bit by bit and reassembled - waste not want not - even with a building. Fair play to them.

Arrival at Entebbe

When you first arrive at Entebbe airport it is a rather different airport than what most people are used to. The airport building is a beige 1950's style lump of concrete that is struggling to meet the demands of a modern airport. However, Uganda being Uganda it is covered in advertising and sponsorship hoardings which gives a fake welcome to a rather impoverished country and city.

As soon as we hit the terminal building we are in the queue for passport control which includes a yellow fever certificate check. Out the other side we meet Moses our bus driver and travel consultant/fixer, Keith the Operations Manager for East Africa and Richard Spratt the Irish Operations Manager. Very good to see them again.

Can't believe I am only getting round to this now

I didn't get the chance to blog while in Uganda. Despite the massive amount mobile phone coverage I just couldn't upload no matter how hard i tried. So I intend over the next few days to tell the story of the week in Uganda of the 2010 team using as many pictures as I can.

Test

A little test to see if this works from the Blackberry. I won't be at a computer for a while but need to make sure I have all the tools I need!

If Tomorrow Never Comes...

Lets face it, it will and it's the day I go to Africa for the second time. I seriously can't wait after packing my bag. Keep thinking I am packing too light but one trip's experience has maybe held me in good stead.

Said the goodbye's to the folks and those nearest and dearest bar the one last phone call before i get on the plane, but between now and then it is all about the focus on what next week will bring.

Let me be honest it ain't 5 star or anywhere close but i am really looking forward to going back to somewhere i didn't think i would ever get the opportunity to go to ever again. This really is a second trip of a lifetime in the last year.

Half the team are already in the air and probably over southern europe at present and we meet them in Kampala on monday morning.

Bring it. Cant wait.

Great Support For the Project

Rushmere School Uganda 15 Months ago

About 15 months ago I was sent photographs of the Rushmere School Uganda just as the construction work started to get really going. It is amazing how far the buildings and team have come, the time that has been donated to the project, the brand names that have supported their employees to go on this trip of a lifetime. The shoppers and visitors to Rushmere also have to get a big thank for the money that they have donated to this project. I hope we are able to communicate just how important this money is and what it has gone towards.

Im not a soft touch and was always very cynical about these projects. I have been there I am going back there. The 400 kids now a decent school, they have a proper safe playground, a sports area and fresh clean drinking water on site which they never had before. The money that has been pumped into this project has gone straight to the project and i'm very happy to see that.

Photo Blog: Moments from last year Pt 2

Photo Blog: Moments from last year

Thank you

Alot of people have been wishing me well as I speak to people and some clients probably for the last time before I head off this weekend. It is very much appreciated and I only hope that I am able to blog and send pics back during the eight days away to share some of the experinces that I will no doubt encounter. I am getting the chance to visit the source of the River Nile which will be great. I really hope I get the chance to cross the equator and do the plug hole trick. Fingers Crossed.