The weekend at Isabel and James was great. It always is everyone being together and learning more, although that did get to me that weekend.
We were talkng about our projects, positives and negatives and whether they will be continued next year.
Dan and Rob live in Kazinga, which is bascially Queen Elizabeth National. Park. We hardly get to see them, as they live so far away, so speaking to them fully about exactly what they are doing left me speechless.
The people, men especially in their little village are always drunk and gambling causing alot of violence towards eachother and stupidity towards wild animals. Many people have been killed by elephants, buffalo and lion. During school, their parents up bringing rubs off on the children causing them to fight amongst eachother and not care when beaten by staff. It seems tough, but they help the children by giving them what you could say life lessons and affection. They're doing an excellent job and it upset me to think what they've been through over these 7 months and are still battling strong. Their project may stay open next year, as they are very beneficial at the school but practically it isn't safe. Many times they've narrowly missed being charged at by buffalo and elephants when leaving project. Rob has an amazing photo of an elephant stood behind his blackboard :)
We were also told that Bulenga might not continue running next year as it has been running for many years now and maybe a break is due. I sat there, with tears rolling down my cheeks. I'm not sure were it came from but I think the whole weekend kind of summed up the fact that our year is drawing to a close and I will be leaving all these Ugandans I've become to know, care for and love! You do become attached to the people here, I can't do something half hearted, I've put it all in and then I'm gone. Yes I know, I can look back and say I did this and did that but still it's goodbye, letting go!! Letting go to my new friends too. We've been through so much and it's not goodbye, I know we'll stay in touch, but that's not the same!
So anyway, we'll find out in June, if Project Trust is continuing with Bulenga. I'll let you know...
It was a fab weekend, just talking, chilling, swimming and watching DVDS :)

Sunday we headed to Mukono, to Shaun and Oscars project.
Oscar is away in Kenya at the moment, re-newing his visa and visiting family so, but it was great to see where they live and their village.
There is a little boy in the compund called Jay. He's mentally disabled, they don't know what it is, they say he's simple. He couldn't speak very well, but understood Lugandan and couldn't control his muscular movements. But when he'd fall down a step or walk into a door, he was still smiling. He was a lovely, little boy :) And Shaun was so great with him. I watched them across the yard, Shaun hugging him, changing his shorts.
It just topped off a brilliant weekend we've all had with eachother and really made me realise how very, very lucky I am.
You just forget, honestly. Everything becomes such a norm and maybe one day when a child knewls down infront of you to say hello, you realise where you are and how long you've been in the country. It's crazy :)

So that leaves me to say; My week so far at school has been good. I've caught the sun playing football with my P2 students this afternoon. I wanted them out of the classroom for a little bit, and it the red face was worth it. I love seeing their smiling, laughing faces.

All my love from hot Uganda x x x