2nd full day and the Building begins...

As I write this blog, Hayley and I are looking through photos with big smiles on our faces,
reflecting on the heart-filling day we’ve had. It began with a pancake breakfast made by
Juliette, before heading to the village where we met many children, them holding our hand
and asking lots of questions about life in Australia – and they never ran out of questions!
Anything between “how many people live in your Australian home?” and “do your nails
grow in Australia?”

We began building the wall, carrying heavy bricks which the children loved to help with, and
spent a few hours getting a few layers established – with Mrs Murphy hand feeding us with
red lolly frogs as our hands were grubby with mortar. The children kept us good company
with inventive games, one holding our arms behind our back saying “what’s the password?”
and we’d have to respond with “you are so handsome”, “you are so funny”, or “you are so
amazing” – but the password would change each time. Many locals would drive by wit
waves and smiles, a monkey in the tree was eating fruit, and when we finished the building
for the morning, we had fresh chapatti before heading back to the Suubi house for fresh
rolls.

After lunch, we went to the YSU centre (Youth Support Uganda), getting a tour of the
rooms, such as the tailoring room filled with sewing machines. HopeBuilders gives a sewing
machine to each girl that completes the year-long tailoring course. This was only one of the
different courses they run the youth through, many discipleship programs and other
opportunities for them to grow in their love for and hope in God. After meeting everyone
and introducing ourselves, we played volleyball with the men, got fitted for new Ugandan
skirts/shorts with the women, and played with the children. I was asked to teach a young
man a new song on the guitar and then he invited me to sing with him, while he played –
and he harmonised with me. We walked to Lake Victoria, with rows of children holding our
hands, and sat with them in our laps while they pointed out birds and boats.

After YSU, we returned to the house, and Hayley, Heidi, Jordan, Riley, Harry, Ben and I
walked through the village, bought stale mandazi which we gave away, one team member
**ben** almost getting hit by a local with a loaded motorbike, danced with some locals
across the street, ate more fresh chapatti, and stood outside a church listening to choir
practice. On our way back, we ran into the same children that we played with yesterday- so
we played with them again, loads of giggles, loads of cuddles, loads of piggy backs, just
making us smile so so much. They walked us back to our gate and gave us cuddles to say
goodbye, blowing kisses as we waved them goodnight.

We finished the day with a delicious curry that was so delicious we left the pot empty and
now have very full stomachs and very full hearts. We’re so excited for what the next few
days are going to bring, and can’t wait for more cuddles and giggles.

Alex… Team 31.