My mission to Uganda was the most incredible experience. In spite of some emotionally challenging times, I met some amazing people who were inspirational in their positive outlook and desire to make the best of very difficult circumstances. As a teacher, I was interested in visiting schools and sharing ideas with the teachers as well as meeting the children. What I found in some of the schools was beyond belief.
Children in class sizes of 70 squashed in tiny dirty rooms with no glass in the windows, no electricity and no water. Every morning the teachers send the children 2km to carry water back to the school in heavy jerry cans. None of the children complained, none of them misbehaved; they were grateful to be able to afford to come to the school (education is free but many parents cannot afford uniform or the equipment needed). In the poorer schools the children were barefoot. They made footballs out of plastic bags and banana leaves. We were made very welcome by the teachers and the children, they are very happy people who were proud of their achievements. Some of the teachers go for months without being paid by the government yet continue to come into work every day and eat by growing food on their small patches of land.
Children have very little opportunity to play. We visited a family of four orphan children who were living in terrible conditions but were doing their best to make ends meet and the eldest was trying to work doing building jobs to feed his younger siblings. We built a drying rack for them and we spent the afternoon playing with the young children – a little tub of bubbles provided an hour of fun – something that was quite alien to them.
The builders in the photo were helping to build a classroom for disabled children who previously never had the opportunity to go to school. Several of the builders worked barefoot and were very poor. The shirts were very well received and after the building work was done they had a game of football with the charily workers from the UK. (It ended 1-1 on a terribly bumpy “pitch’ – more a game of hoof really).
Most of the childrens’ shirts were donated to the deaf children who we visited one day. We played football and other games and they were able to have a lot of fun. The charity I went with have set up the deaf unit for these children who previously led very isolated lives. They are now able to sign with each other and have made lots of friends.
I would like to tell the person who donated 30 bagged childrens’ football shirts that these were given to one of the poorer schools and the head teacher was delighted (see photo).
I am so grateful for the support of the Dale fans and Rochdale AFC – we are a very special club and I am proud to be associated with it.
