7:30am Madam Samali and myself went to the road, for the morning market, where we bought a huge sack of matoke and 12kg of meat. A man took the matoke back to school by bicycle, whilst we had a handle each and carried the bag full of meat back to school.
Walking out to assembly, I heard Mr Sentoogo telling the school 'Today we have been blessed with food! Not just the teachers but you too will be eating!' Everyone was cheering, clapping, it was fantastic to see and to know that also didn't know we were buying everyone sodas too.
Classes were sharing rooms as the classrooms were being cemented, so unfortunatly we didn't get to spend time with the children as they were practising for our entertainment in the afternoon.
Vic helped with peeling the matoke, as one of us needed to be there incase of people taking the matoke. She peeled over 300 pieces, with blisters to prove it!
I sat with Jane talking the day away it was lovely and after break I had P2 students in the staffroom, where I gave them all a class photo, maths set, Jolly Jus (like sherbet) and a sticket band to go on the wrist. They were all hugging me, thanking me so much.

At 12:30 we took some of the P7 boys and went to the road to collect 6 crates of soda. Walking back into school everyone was gasping, screaming, the atmosphere was amazing! The children qued for their meat and matoke and then came to Vic and me for a soda, sweetie and pencil. In the staffroom we all stood around the table chatting, eating (with our hands!) and being happy amongst eachother. It was the first time all year that all staff members have eaten in the staffroom, as they usually go off on their own. Everyone clanking their bottles together or swapping sweets we went to P4 classroom for our leaving entertainment.

P1 and P2 did some dancing and singing and I think the nerves must of got to them being in such a small classroom, entertaining the whole school, as lyrics were forgotten and people were bumping into eachother during the dances, very funny but very sweet! P3 and P4 also did some great dances and changed the lyrics to 'if you're happy and you no it clap your hands' to 'thank you for our teaching, goodbye'
Mr Sentoogo, the Headmaster and our host Patrick all have wonderful speaches, praising us for the work we have done for the school and the community. Along with thanking our family for supporting us and allowing us to come to Uganda. They told us to great everyone in the UK and not to forget to tell them about Bulenga. Patrick gave us these certificates saying we had been at Bulenga Modern and did great work and he out them in frames. It was so nice to recieve them. And the Headmaster gave us a woven bowl and wooden canvas. It was very thoughtful.
Mr Sentoogo told us that we had made 160 friends in Bulenga Modern and that we would always be in their hearts, all these words, Vic and me were trying so hard to hold it together, his words were so kind!
We then had to give a speech, with mine only being short as if I had spoke any longer the tears would of come. Vic gave hers and I went outside quickly for some fresh air and get myself together.

The entertainment finished and we played netball and volleyball with the girls until P5 gave a short play about Vic and me on our first day of school. It really wasn't good, we just laughed away as we didn't know what was going on but they had put alot of time and effort into it, you could see and we thanked them.

After this it was our final assembly, again with me speaking very little. I did try and speak to the P7s begging them to try harder as I was worried they are going to have to re-sit P7 due to bad grades in these mid-term exams but my voice was breaking again so I just said thank you and goodbye.
It was just so surreal. Everyone shouting bye at us, like they do everyday, bye see you tomorrow although tomorrow for us at school won't come again.
I spent time outside waiting for everyone to leave school, with some of my P2s waiting around. Hugging these little children goodbye, it was hard but I didn't want them to see me cry. I promised I would come back and see them in a few years time when they were bigger and older and that I really, really want to do! This school, this village and country will forever be in my heart and their voices and faces never forgotten in my memory!

A child can never lie, you see the smile on their face or frown, it's all sincere. Seeing a child so happy after giving them a sticker, the laughter after you chase and tickle them. That's why I've been able to continue here, even when it's been hard, I've just wanted to see the children, allow them to play with my hair, be fascinated by my skin or eyes. Teach them simple things but hopefully give them the understanding that they can break past this poverty cycle and go far in life. Even if it is just one child I've got through to or just one child who has managed to write and read, that's one more person to lead others!

Thank you Bulenga Modern Primary School!
7th September 2009 - 23rd July 2010.