Celebrating Sport Leadership

Ciaran was able to indulge his passion for rugby and for sport generally over the course of the trip:

It was really interesting learning the different aspects of sport that Namilyango had to offer. The quality of sport and leadership skills presented by the boys amazed me; their driving passion to excel in all areas of school on and off the field was truly spectacular! An experience I’ll never forget. 

This joyous photograph was taken at the end of one of the sport leadership sessions that were undertaken at a local primary school.  Pupils and student leaders seemed to enjoy the experience in equal measure.

More Photos in Fifty Words

It definitely seems as though the visit to Hands for Hope really stood out in everyone's memory.

Here's what Izzie says:

I was surprised at how welcoming the students were and how stunning the fertile countryside was. My highlight of the trip would be visiting the “Hands for Hope” charity in the Namuwongan Slums as it has made me consider my outlook on life. I would love to go back one day.

A Thousand Ugandan Welcomes

Sam says:

Uganda was probably the happiest, smiliest and friendliest place I have ever been; everywhere I went they greeted you nicely. The Ugandans are not only friendly whilst greeting they are constantly friendly and put others before themselves. Since the trip I have been wiser with money and tend to be happier.

I couldn't agree more, Sam. Even this road looks as though it is smiling (though I suspect that the people in this traffic jam may not have been.)

In fact, I penned a little poem whilst I was there on the same subject:  A Thousand Ugandan Welcomes:

A Thousand Ugandan Welcomes

There is welcome in your collective smile
Two thousand rows of pearly teeth
A grin that's broader than the Nile
And a giant beating heart beneath

There's a welcome in the sunshine,
That caresses skin like an old friend
And darkens it as days go by
Warming the blood to heal and mend.

There's welcome in the falling rain,
Passionately kissing an earth that's dry
And welcome in that reddened earth
That clags and clings as you go by.

There's welcome from desmodium
That will go home on our clothes
A sweet reminder that leaves its mark:
Hooking on, it won't let go.

There's welcome in the smiling moon
It's crescent lips that whisper soft
Sweet dreaming under African stars
That wink down from aloft

There's welcome in matooke
Ambrosia, sweet and good
A staple and speciality:
A soul-warming food.

There's welcome in the flowers
That with hands held high are made
Bouquets for your visitors of
Blossoms that will never fade.

There's welcome in a thousand other things:
The Maribou stork that flew to meet us
Cassava plants, the guava's sweetness
Bonga, handshakes, symbols that complete us.

So we thank you deeply, kindly
And say Tusanyuse okokulaba
You too, my friends, are welcome.



Theresa Gooda
October 2014

'Hands for Hope': A Real Highlight

Jack says:

There is a new part of me which has developed a soft spot for Uganda and the Namilyango students. The environment is so friendly and I have made so many new friends who I still keep in contact with. My highlight of the trip would be going to visit the 'Hands For Hope' educational charity. The work they do there is fantastic.

Good news: it looks like the Weald will be supporting Hands for Hope as one of their selected charities in 2015.  But the question is: what exactly is happening in this photograph?!