I left Heathrow, England on the 4th September 2009 and will be arriving back at Gatwick, England on the 27th July 2010. Wow, I can't quite believe it, my time is over in The Pearl Of Africa!

Before coming out here people kept saying enjoy every minute as your time will fly by. 'Yeah, Yeah, Yeah' I said, only for my final weekend to come and I don't know where the time has gone! I have enjoyed every minute out here even when something was difficult, as I had to find the positive out of the negative and I learnt. For me my time in Uganda has been about learning. I've learnt about life and myself so much.

So this is my final blog from Uganda, a final written closure to my time in Bulenga, Uganda..

Ugandans are so genuine. Their smiles, hospitality and warmth is so sincere.
Walking down the street you will always be greeted by hello or goodmorning and if you say it to them they will usually reply 'I'm fine' this is because they feel Hello, is too short, too informal amd you should want to know how someone is, make sure they are fine.
This warmth and caring nature has shown through with one special lady, Madam Jane Musana Frances or Mumma Jane to me. Jane has helped us from day one and although our final weeks have been rocky, it was understandable. I think it hit me so hard her being distant to us was that because Jane is always consistent and happy, it was out of character and hurt but doesn't everyone desereve a day to just let go and not necessarily be happy, it's not an easy life. I always talk about how I feel Uganda is doing so well for being a third world country but I forget that these people are still within poverty. Although the compund we live in is nice compared to a mud hut, Jane and her family still struggle to eat and live well.

The children have been amazing, stubborn at times but constant in making me happy. They just know when something is up, even the little babies at Sanyu and a simple smile or hug makes you feel on top of the world.
That's why I want to continue in other coutries. Continue to help others because that one smile he/she gives me in a day, fills me with joy and the pride to want to continue.
Hanington is 7 years old and in my P2 class. He's an extremly bright boy and will go far in life. One day sitting outside he was asking what colour uniform Police where in London and in America and how about in Hong Kong? He wanted to know why Satan had horns and what transport is the most popular in England? He loves to ask questions or tell you, with the same day Hanington coming out with 'After High School, I'm going to go to Univeristy and then come to England. And teacher you will find me on the stage of London, you will see my mum and aunty in the audience first and then you can telephone me and help me. I will bring my sheep to London (at this point I didn't know why he wanted to bring his sheep to London until he continued..) I will bring my sheep on the water (ohhh!!) and stay!' I just thanked him for being a great little boy and to follow his dream!

School hasn't been easy, it hasn't been exactly what I wanted out of my year away, as it has been tedius at times but when a student of yours after 7 months hands in his book and you see he can actually write then it just cancel out all of the boring days and you realise all that hard work did pay off and the feeling is just fantastic.
Corporal punishment is a problem at school, as it is all over Uganda. When we first started at school, I'd want to see what was going on when someone was being caned/hit, as it was new but some after when the children become yours it was hard to deal with, but something you had to deal with. Everything that happens out here is dealt with so quickly, time moves on as something else will happen around the next corner and you don't have time to dwell on that other event. It's not nice but certainly makes things alot easier, moving on.

We've tempted fate so much out here, looking back on it all I can't believe we did it all. 4 on a boda, 17 in a car.. But what an experience it's been. I just remember back home when someone would be riding a motorbike and you'd say how stupid they were not wearing their leathers but then there is us cruising around in dresses, side saddle, it's crazy, if only a little bit fun! :)

I just wanted to say, thank you to everyone who has supported me whilst I've been in Uganda. Your kind words, through text, email and calls, has kept me going through the difficult time and to know I'm coming back to so many excited people will make the change into society alot easier. THANK YOU!
I'd also like to thank everyone in Project Trust, to all you beautiful boys and girls who have grown during our time in Uganda. We truely have become a little family, a family of best friends. We've gone through too much together and I know we'll be friends for life. You people have changed me into someone who is so comfortable within herself, allowed me to be me and I now know I'm not going to change for anyone, as Emma is Emma and you make me feel great! LOVE YOU!

I'm coming back on Tuesday a new person. I've learnt so much about myself, I've grown confidence and I'm finally comfortable within my body and the feeling is just brilliant.
I'm coming back to England, for a me a far away, different world to where I've been living so please give me time to adjust back to the norms of British people, the British society.
I might be quite at times, as unfortunatly no-one will ever understand what I've seen, what I've been through, just please give me time..

Uganda has changed my life and will always be in my heart.

So for one last time..
Lots of Love from Bulenga, Uganda x x x