Did we forget anything?

So when I said we had 12 bags full of goodies to share with the lovely people of Uganda I was lying... the final total was 13 slightly over weight suitcases! Day one of our adventure began with a 3am meet up at the airport with various husbands and mums gathering to wave us off and sharing a prayer. Repeatedly checking we had our passports, yellow fever certificates, visas and anti malarials what followed was a 1 hour wait as it turns out Birmingham Airport doesn't actually open until 4! A few minor issues at check in and security (noone went unsearched... it was probably the TAC PAC resources that aroused suspicion!) and a rather quick dash for the plane then a long wait on board whilst they unloaded some unfortunate souls luggage. We finally set of at 7am keeping fingers crossed for coffe onboard ✈

The team: Ella- Sophia from Global Care, headteacher Laura and teachers Rosie, Collette and Linzi 

We set down in Brussels and managed this time to make it through security unscaved but late, so another quick dash via the coke zero vending machine and we boarded our next plane. We passed the 8 hour journey with films, sleep, a few selfies, and taking in the breath taking scenery from across Europe and Africa; the vast dessert across Egypt and the mountainous lakes of Greece, the quaint rooftops of Europe, glorious jungles and the fluffy white clouds. I expected this trip to be humbling but I didn't expect the flight to make me so appreciative and thankful for the beautiful world we live in.

We landed in Kagali, Ruwanda, for a lay over and got treated to a quick vac and clean whilst we waited for more passengers to join us. Then set off again for a 40minute flight to Entebbe. After a 15 hour journey we were officially in Uganda 😃 unexpectedly carrying the cases wasn't an issue, particularly as we had lost 1 in transit 🤦‍♀️ and they now supply baggage trolleys at the airport! More waiting at the visa control and the lost property office and we finally got to set foot on Ugandan soil at 1am! We were greeted by Charles, our driver, he is lovely; so pleased to welcome us and has excellent problem solving skills when it came to packing the minibus! 

Full of excitement we enjoyed a peaceful drive through Entebbe becoming accustomed to the buildings and cars. We watched from the traffic lights as people danced in the bars and browsed street markets, and even spotted the secondary and primary schools... typical teachers! Then we hit Kampala; it was a sudden buzz out of the darkness full of sounds of buda buda (motorbike taxis) beeping, traders shouting and climbing the sides of large trucks and the smell of chicken and candles burning... and this was in the early hours!  The hustle and bustle died away as she weaved through the streets to our hotel. Happy to throw ourselves in to bed we looked forward to meeting Patrick, another rmember of Global care staff, for breakfast and then setting out to Soroti. Good night, God bless!