It didn’t really seem like we were out there for a week. From landing in Entebbe, to the dirt tracks and highly uncomforting driving skills of  Kampala, to the first sight of Buikwe, to building the second school to then becoming a part of the community – the stories and experiences we crammed into one week were unforgettable. I’d like to let pictures do the talking so I’ve listed my personal top five experiences:

• > Number 1: Getting to work on the building site. Throwing bricks, lifting concrete, throwing more bricks, dodging poorly thrown bricks – then doing all of this after it had rained – that’s what made my experience out there.
• > Number 2: Losing 2-1 in one of the most technically challenging and exhausting football games I’ve ever played. We played to a crowd of 300, our opposition were at most half the size of us.
• > Number 3: First School Opening Ceremony – to be a part of the ceremony and to fully comprehend the incredible impact this project is having on the Buikwe community. Everybody was so proud of the work that had been done so far and I got to speak to the Headmaster of the school who couldn’t have been happier.
• > Number 4: Getting to know the locals – whether learning African drumming with music teacher Joy, trying to handle becoming a climbing frame for the dozens of kids in the village or speaking to the builders I always left with a smile of my face at how positive, happy and welcoming they were.
• > Number 5: Knowing that this is just the start – the plans for Buikwe are ambitious to see the least. But I’ve met the people who are determined to make this happen – and I’m going to do all I can to be there for the ride.

We’re all back in England – our in-boxes clogged with photos, videos and the dozens of stories we all got to experience out in Buikwe. I know have great friends and great stories from just one week.