As I reflect on our first week in Uganda, I’m amazed at how quickly the time has passed. The school is buzzing with the laughter, learning and singing of 380 children, and each day brings new experiences and opportunities for growth. The rucksacks funded through Reuben's challenge arrived on day one and we are looking forward to giving them to the children before we leave.
One of the highlights has been seeing the children enjoy nutritious meals, made possible by an increased food budget. "Watermelon Wednesday" has become a favourite, filling the school with excitement and joy.
We also visited the project’s 30-acre farm, where we grow crops like matoke, beans, pumpkins, tomatoes, and maize. Seeing this thriving farm in action was truly inspiring. The baby watermelon made me smile! Soon, we’ll be planting over 500 coffee plants to launch our own Robusta farm, a step towards sustaining Kickstart Coffee as coffee prices rise.
Throughout the week, we’ve spent time connecting with the children, learning about their home lives and the challenges they face. Each child’s story is unique and humbling. One encounter that left a deep impact was meeting Lydia, a pregnant 20-year-old living in a home without running water or electricity, where her family eats only once a day. Experiencing this level of poverty firsthand pushes us to keep making a difference, and we are committed to ensuring Lydia and her family have enough to eat.
Recognising the need for better healthcare, we’ve started developing a role for a school and community nurse. Many children suffer from illnesses like malaria, sickle cell disease, and injuries, and we aim to have a nurse who can assess these needs and arrange for treatment at local hospitals. To support this initiative, we’ll be seeking new coffee contracts in the coming months, working toward sustainability. Being a children's nurse I have been put to work assessing and sending the children to the hospital.
Today, we embarked on a six-hour drive from Entebbe to Mbale to meet coffee farmers on Mt. Elgon. Connecting with these farmers, who grow the coffee we enjoy, is essential to building relationships. We hope to one day plant a school on the mountain to serve their children.
Beyond our community work, we’ve had the chance to purchase local crafts for our upcoming Christmas events. These beautiful items will help raise funds for our secondary school children, giving them the opportunity to continue their education. We’re excited to share these products and invite everyone to support the children's dreams.
As our first week draws to a close, I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences we've had and the connections we’ve made. Stay tuned for more updates on our journey!
