Yesterday, a group of us went volunteering with a charity called Soft Power. They run a few small schools and a clinic for the extremely poor. You definitely have to experience the poverty first hand to truly understand. I've seen the adverts and i've seen the pictures in text books at school but nothing is quite as hard hitting as seeing these homes. They are falling down, made of rotting wood, dried leaves from drought and just something you can never imagine. It's a desperate situation and hard to know what to do.

We travelled in the back of a truck. It's ironic that Ugandas law means seatbelts are a requirment however you can put 20 people in a lorry made for geese and it's fine. I fell all over that truck. Quite an experience I must say.

The children were lovely and we brought balls and paper for them. When you see the children dying of excitement over a football you really realise. I spent some time painting the school in which I seem to have painted more of myself than the walls but it was fun. I also did a little teaching and spent some time with the headteacher which was probably my highlight.

He cared so much about the education of these children and had such a wonderful aura. He spoke so fondly of the children and Uganda and I really enjoyed talking about his home. He showed me fruits i've never seen before and showed me the mango tree he is growing so the kids have some nutrition. He then took a mango out of his own shopping and insisted I have one because his mangos are the best. He walked for 20 minutes to find a cup of water so he could wash the mango and my hands and I really felt honoured. I also felt quite guilty I was eating the food he had earned himself but I know he wanted me to have it. He gave me his email because he is getting a computer soon and I will be sure to e-mail him.

He also told me all about teaching in Uganda. Children have to learn all subjects in English even though it isn't there mother tongue. They are only allowed to speak English in school unless they are learning Ugandan. Apparently it's the language to succeed and I understand that but also find it sad the mother tongue is neglected so much because they need English to quite literally survive.. It's sad how development over shadows culture.

So in the evening we went on a Sunset Cruise on the Nile. How beautiful and innocent that is. Add in all you can drink and I remember the beautiful sunset in a beer goggle haze. 9 double vodkas later (they don't measure but pour) with a lining of 1 sausage and stale bread and I am absolutely steaming. I honestly thought I'd be detoxing in Africa after first year uni but Africa seems to be upping my drinking levels. Wake up next morning in a puddle. Not my own puddle but Africas rainfall has decided to flood my tent. Yes it's my fault because I didn't assemble or close my tent properly but I think I had a good night except for the fact I'm on breakfast duty. Argh.

On the move to the other side of Uganda today to hit the game parks so it's a drive day. I am sure the horrific mud roads will do wonders for my head.