New years Day

After a late New Year’s celebration we had a slow start this morning. A walk down the road at 10am took us to the local Church, ‘Abundant life church Wairaka.’ It was awesome to be a part of the worship which was full of life as well as the spontaneous testimonials which ranged from a rescued chicken to a man being beaten for standing up for his beliefs. We made a quick trip home before heading off to the village for a prepared lunch. It was a lovely meal of rice, savory bananas, potatoes, chicken and beef. The rest of the afternoon was spent split between playing soccer, singing and painting nails. A break at Subbi before heading back to the village tonight for a movie.

Zoe

 

 

 

Another day of fun in the sun

The day started at 5am for some of us, due the heat and it not allowing us to fall back to sleep. By 6am it was already 19 degrees! Breakfast was served on the rooftop at 7:30am, with a new food item called ‘mandoes’, which is a bit like a donut. Was a bit of a celebration being the last breakfast of 2016 so it was nice to eat breakfast altogether.

After breakfast we went straight up to the village to get into the work, whether that be brick laying or hanging out with the children of the village! We didn’t have to wait too long today to get started on the brick laying, which helped in getting started before the hot weather hit us. We finished the outside courses of the house through teamwork and help from the Ugandans!

We came back to Suubi House at 12:30pm, got onto the cold showers and had lunch at 1pm. The afternoon consisted of everyone relaxing after a couple of days hard work brick laying. At 3pm, half the group went into Jinja to get supplies for the night, as well as check out the town.

Tonight we are all excited to be celebrating part of the night with the village – looking forward to spending some time with the children and playing some games. After hanging out for a few hours, we’ll bus it into Jinja as a team, to celebrate heading into the new year. So far the trip has been great and we’ve been learning lots (including the language), so we’re all looking forward to what the rest of the trip has to offer.

‘Jumbo’ for now! Clare.

Happy new year from Uganda Team 23 - we are now off to party at the village of Hope - after a bit of Dutch - Ollie Bollen!!!

Building it!!

Well what a start to our Uganda adventure. It was typical Ugandan day with a thunderstorm over night and early morning followed by the hot sun breaking through. We have had no power for 38 hours but I think we have all had a great bonding time with no WIFI.
Today was our first full day of building. We started moving all the mud-bricks that were stored in house 13 ready to be laid as the final 4 courses of house 14. We had a great chain gang going and moved them pretty quickly. Dale then took charge and organised all the "bricklayers" for the day. Coby was like the pied piper with the village kids in tow following her to learn how to knit. It was a sight to see!!
Some of us spent the afternoon interacting with the children of the village - it was an awesome day - I can't wait for tomorrow!!!
Meagan

Safe arrival & setteling in

Yes team 22 has arrive safely and is settling into life on the ground in Uganda. Unfortunately we have not had power for our first day so contact back home has been limited - But we are here and we are safe and we have had a great welcome.  -  More updates to come soon!!!

X-mas at Village of Hope well Celebrated

It was a night of no sleep on 24/Dec/ 16 for almost everybody at the Village. Children,mothers etc, it was only one language!!! How the 25th celebrations for this year will be. At night African dishes were prepared like Matooke, meat,chicken, chapatti, g.nuts and others in order not to be late in the Sunday service at Abundant Church.
Morning came in with lots of excitement about the Birth of the Lord especially from the kids... as they requested for Jesus' Movie on the big Screen after lunch. By 9am, most of the Village occupants were already marvelously dressed in their new outfits for Church to celebrate with other community members.
This time it wasn't all that a long service, by 1pm, we were back at the Village for a BIG Lunch prepared by the mothers and older children. Lunch was served with lots of Sodas and the children were so happy for this as they could go for more than 1or2 happily enjoying with local music playing in remembrance of the King of Kings who was borne for us so that we retain eternal life.
Great THANKS TO All those who enabled us in Here in Uganda Celebrate Christmas with joy, you put a smile on many People's faces and help them gain more Hope

See our Celebrations in Pictures

House family

House 2 family

House4 family

Line up for the Big Lunch

It was the little's' time

Uncle Ivan will join us?

Lunch blast

House 7 ,its only Girls!!

Hse 3

The Juliets

Up coming big Boys

Well done mother, it has been a big day

The Micheals

x-mas indeed

Team 22 - packed and ready to go

Team 22 is just one sleep away for departing Melbourne and looking forward to arriving in Jinja for the adventures God has organised for us to be part of.  Will keep updates flowing in over the next 3 weeks.   Uganda here we come!!!!

Merry Making Schoolies Last Days

All went joyous with lots of Merry making for both the Schoolies and all those in Village of Hope plus communities at large. The last days of a two weeks and three days visit was occupied with happy moments........After raising House 14 to Beam level, it was time to have fun especially with the lovely Village of Hope Children.
It started with a Swimming expedition at King Fisher Safaris Resort on Sunday with all Children who love water 0000s and the Team members who were far better swimmers than any one in the pool. For the Kids, it's the best time of the year and they wait for it deary...Many thanks to Schoolies who helped the children enjoy pool water at ease ,you provided the safety for them since swimming is a luxurious leisure activity which receives less attention here in Uganda. We had good moments and the weather was conducive , then on our way back, we had a stop over to grab some Glucose Biscuits to replace lost energy.

On Monday, it was a football game between Schoolies and the African Builders at Jinja Christian School soccer field, this started as a simple one in round one but gained in 2 as Mzungus reinforced their defense and builders could not get through, it was more sweaty,and breath taking by the time it ended in favor of Builders.

Tuesday climaxed it all with an amazing farewell party which also called for the presence of Uganda Hope Builders Board Members. It started with the introduction of the Board by Hope Builders International Chairman, the Cultural Musical and Dance performances by the Village of Children's Choir neatly dressed in their new uniforms accompanied by our new set of instruments......These then followed by speeches,award certificate to team members, lots of Sodas and snacks then Mixed music and dances between team and children...it was a joyful moment!! Lots of thanks and God's Blessings to all those who had a hand in all what happened in the 2wks,3days visit to Ug.
Ivan

house 14

to King fisher for swimming

enjoying the pool

swimming lesson

having pool fun

in new dancing uniforms

had a match at JCS

choir entertaining team

appreciation certificate

Awarding Cert

board and Management

in the little ones' pool