Blucher to Uganda

Two years ago the Blucher adopted a school in Uganda as a charitable project. At the time the school barely existed. Two years on and 8 boys and 4 parents accompanied Mr. Boobbyer out to the area of Mityana to see things for themselves. It was an amazing week: three days were spent at the school, which is accessed only by an hour's journey down almost impassable roads. We were met with singing and dancing, we taught classes and ran a sports morning as well as painting the walls. The two large teaching blocks - the Blucher and the Orange - have been very solidly built, the headmaster is excellent, the teachers are working hard and the children looked happy and proud of the school. It is very exciting to see the progress.

We also visited the local orphanage, where we went with them on the long walk to find water which they have to do all the time and the local secondary school, where we were all struck dumb by the conditions in the student hostels, as well as overwhelmed by the warmth of our welcome. We learned how to drum and weave and attended two extraordinary church services in this very religious country. Everywhere we went we were welcomed with moving generosity. Uganda is desperately poor: there are 2.5 million AIDS orphans and 52% of Ugandans will never get any medical treatment in their lives. It was a life-changing experience for me and the whole group.