The blogs so far tell a very thorough story of our two weeks with Tigers Club. Now that we're all home, we want to say a mssive thank you to everyone who has been reading this blog, praying for us and posting comments. It was a great encouragement for us whilst we were in Uganda to receive your comments.
5500 photos later and we're trying to sort a few out to present to you. All of you are welcome to Holy Trinity Church's harvest supper on Friday 5th October (7pm onwards), where we'll be sharing some of our experiences and spreading the vision of Tigers that little bit further.
Tickets 4.00 for adults, 2.00 for children, 10.00 for a family - food included
Sunday, 16 September 2007
Sunday, 19 August 2007
The Million Dollar View
A nice relaxing day in Kampala today. We all went to Church this morning visiting 3 different Churches. I went with Debbie, Mike and Chris to the Baptist church where our friend Francis (one of the Tiger Teams social worker) is a youth pastor. It was a great service mainly in English. After Francis drove us into town to join the others at Fang Fangs for a Chinese meal. This was a welcome change from our usual meals.
We returned to the guesthouse by Boda even Helen!!!!!! She was very nervous of the journey but when we arrived jumped off the bike with the biggest smile I have seen from a white person and the words 'that was awesome!' She wanted an immediate return trip. The rides on this moped are probably very silly but great fun. The frightening thing is when the driver puts on a crash helmet but does not offer you any protection!
Whilst my room was being cleaned I visited the Cathedral above us on top of Namirembe Hill. Only a short walk but what a view over the city and looking into the heart of African. A million dollars is an undervalue of the view. I sat for about an hour just taking it in. Basking in the brilliant sunshine, the peace it was just amazing.
Kampala is such a city of contrasts. Sitting on top of the hill the city looked beautiful basking in the sun. Many trees and rolling hills in almost every direction. You could just hear the buzz of the city from the hill top but the most dominant sound was of birds calling. Looking up into the clear blue sky to see birds circling very African style.
Then my eyes fell down to the city and you could see the slum areas. People living on top of each other with hardly any room to move. Little sanitation, rubbish left to accumulate everywhere.
Yesterday we (the boys) visited one of the slum markets. We had passed it almost every day. We split into to groups to stand out less. Ha! 4 white people ranging in height from about 6 foot to me at 6 foot five not stand out! I think we could have been seen from the space station being built!
It was an experience. The first thing was the smell. It reminded me of the markets we used to have some years ago. As a child my dad would take me to the local market for the weekly fruit & veg shop, this market was not much different only bigger. Not only did it sell fruit and veg but clothes, wood, sand, electrical goods almost anything you wanted. There were barber shops, fish and meat sellers and the smell of all that, sweat humans and rubbish was almost overpowering.
The people were welcoming and threw us a cheery hello, what may have been said in Lugandan is any one's guess. I think they felt it was amusing to see white people in this area or perhaps they thought it was meals on legs!
Flies were everywhere particularly on the meat and fish. You could not escape the smell even sucking airwaves. Probably a mistake a blocked nose would have been a better option.
Turning a corner we were greeted by a truck taking meat to the market including the severed head of a cow. Darren thought it winked at him as it went by.
We walked through the market down to the railway track and walked along this for a while until we realised we were going deeper into the slum. We made a tactical withdrawal and our way back out to the main road. The mass of people moving about the area you just do not see in England and is hard to imagine.
The guesthouse strap line is 'The Million Dollar View' . So long as your eye doe not wonder too far it is a million dollar view, but stray and you see the slums and the hardship suffered by the large mass of the population of this city.
Simon
We returned to the guesthouse by Boda even Helen!!!!!! She was very nervous of the journey but when we arrived jumped off the bike with the biggest smile I have seen from a white person and the words 'that was awesome!' She wanted an immediate return trip. The rides on this moped are probably very silly but great fun. The frightening thing is when the driver puts on a crash helmet but does not offer you any protection!
Whilst my room was being cleaned I visited the Cathedral above us on top of Namirembe Hill. Only a short walk but what a view over the city and looking into the heart of African. A million dollars is an undervalue of the view. I sat for about an hour just taking it in. Basking in the brilliant sunshine, the peace it was just amazing.
Kampala is such a city of contrasts. Sitting on top of the hill the city looked beautiful basking in the sun. Many trees and rolling hills in almost every direction. You could just hear the buzz of the city from the hill top but the most dominant sound was of birds calling. Looking up into the clear blue sky to see birds circling very African style.
Then my eyes fell down to the city and you could see the slum areas. People living on top of each other with hardly any room to move. Little sanitation, rubbish left to accumulate everywhere.
Yesterday we (the boys) visited one of the slum markets. We had passed it almost every day. We split into to groups to stand out less. Ha! 4 white people ranging in height from about 6 foot to me at 6 foot five not stand out! I think we could have been seen from the space station being built!
It was an experience. The first thing was the smell. It reminded me of the markets we used to have some years ago. As a child my dad would take me to the local market for the weekly fruit & veg shop, this market was not much different only bigger. Not only did it sell fruit and veg but clothes, wood, sand, electrical goods almost anything you wanted. There were barber shops, fish and meat sellers and the smell of all that, sweat humans and rubbish was almost overpowering.
The people were welcoming and threw us a cheery hello, what may have been said in Lugandan is any one's guess. I think they felt it was amusing to see white people in this area or perhaps they thought it was meals on legs!
Flies were everywhere particularly on the meat and fish. You could not escape the smell even sucking airwaves. Probably a mistake a blocked nose would have been a better option.
Turning a corner we were greeted by a truck taking meat to the market including the severed head of a cow. Darren thought it winked at him as it went by.
We walked through the market down to the railway track and walked along this for a while until we realised we were going deeper into the slum. We made a tactical withdrawal and our way back out to the main road. The mass of people moving about the area you just do not see in England and is hard to imagine.
The guesthouse strap line is 'The Million Dollar View' . So long as your eye doe not wonder too far it is a million dollar view, but stray and you see the slums and the hardship suffered by the large mass of the population of this city.
Simon
On our last day in Kampala
It's our last day in Kampala as we prepare to travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We'll be back only briefly for the night on Wednesday. So I thought I'd take the opportunity to write up what we'll miss about Kampala, and what we won't! Hope it gives you a flavour of life here.
What we'll miss:
Debbie
What we'll miss:
- The Tigers & Tuda boys - so many of them are now dear to our hearts. They're no longer 'street boys' but simply 'boys' with names, faces and real characters.
- The Tigers staff - their faith and dedication and the warmth of their welcome
- Sunshine!
- The warmth and friendliness of the Ugandan people - we've been amazed at how friendly they all are to us Mzungu's. There's just a great atmosphere here somehow.
- The very real outpouring of faith by the people we've met - almost everywhere. They relate so strongly to their daily walk with God, it's part of everyday parlence. We saw a couple of Ugandan's being commissioned at the Kampala Baptist Church as they were being sent on mission to England!
- Some of the sights that make us laugh - an entire wooden bed frame on a bicycle, 9 crates of coke bottles on a bicycle, three live pigs and a couple of chickens on a boda-boda, road-side peddlars with oranges, apples, bananas, sugar cane, bedding or an arm full of bras!
- The fruit. Right now I'm a bit fed up with pineapple for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I'm sure I'll miss it after a break of a few days.
- Dealing with the extent of the poverty. Even apart from the slums it is clear that many many people live below what we would consider to be the bread-line.
- The Iman wailing over loud-speaker from the mosque at 5am every morning!!!! As Paul remarked; "it doesn't do much for inter-faith relations".
- The constant city noise - it's such a busy city, despite being layed-back, they keep going and have a very strong work ethic, everyone works to earn some level of income and so there is a constant level of noise.
- Waking up and wondering whether or not there will be any water to wash in.
- Red dust, in our mouths, up our noses, in our ears (as Nathan at Tuda says - 'red bogeys')
- Battling with the mosquito net as you get in and out of bed
- Itchy mosquito bites
- Dodgy tummies
Debbie
Saturday, 18 August 2007
The Holiday Starts
I know many will think that we have been on holiday for the last 2 weeks, but today is when the holiday really starts. We have now finished our work with the Tigers Club and will not have any contact with them other than socially.
Early Monday we are on our way to safari, a 6 hour drive from here. I am so looking forward to that knowing our experience of the roads. It will be more like a funfair ride than a coach trip.
Yesterday was full of goodbyes. First thing in the morning we went to the Club house and said goodbyes to the staff and boys there. We gathered in a large room and the Director Simon gave a lovely speech full of gratitude for the way we had thrown ourselves into the work, spending time painting, meeting with the staff and being with the boys. Mike responded on our behalf. I think many of us had tears in our eyes as we said goodbye to the boys from the street.
We then went off to Tuda the halfway house. We stopped at the bottom of the road well mud track really leading to Tuda from the main road as some of the boys (Mike included) wanted to ride the boda (the mopeds) to along the lane. I also took the ride and turned up covered in the red dust almost from head to toe. It was a great ride and at times I thought I was going to come off as we went over the bumpy road and I lost contact with the seat and the bike. We did all arrive safely.
We had our last holiday club with the boys. The highlight of the day was the afternoon football match. The boys just loved the sports, Dave got a bit upset with some of the ref's decisions but scored a goal which made him happy.
We finished the club with a prize giving. The talent show finalists all got a t-shirt and cap and then all the boys got a book and football shirt. They were jumping for joy at getting the books; really happy with the shirts. We presented the parachute to them and you would have thought we had given them the crown jewels they were so happy.
The goodbyes were sad, some of the boys got up to say a thank you and goodbye and we were again moved to tears by their gratitude for the time we had spent with them.
Reviewing the pictures this morning just shows that these boys just want to be children ordinary children playing and having fun. Most of the pictures were taken by the boys. I think I have have only taken 30 of the 500 or so photographs I have, the rest have been taken by the boys.
One of my happiest memory from the last 2 weeks will be painting an outside wall one morning. There was me and 3 or 4 boys applying this orange paint to the walls and sometimes to each other. Their English was little my Lugandan even less. We had a good few hours and then I shared with them some sugar can and pancakes. The boys took me down the road to buy it and took great care of me there and back. The sugar was full of water! I was shown the correct way of eating it!
The boys we have meet have been great. I must admit I was worried about how they would react to us. Their reaction has been one of welcome, really happy to see us. The boys come off the street into the club house unwashed smelly and looking dreadful. But all they want is a hug some time a wash and a space to be safe. It has been really humbling to be with them. It is hard to imagine that the boys at Tuda had once been on the street and for some only a few weeks ago. It is nothing short of a miracle the work being done here.
Yesterday talking to some of the boys all they wish for is a home and someone to love them. Very simple requests.
I think in a previous post you will have heard of the 4 or so hour service that Helen and I went to last week. I have put in a request for a short service tomorrow. The boys service that Helen & I went to was really great and very moving as they presented a drama sowing their experiences. We asked them to perform a song yesterday they had written about their life. We have a video of it for all to see.
So what will I miss. Well I shall not miss the red dust everywhere, in my mouth my ears and covering all surfaces. Even after a shower my towel turns red and I thought I had washed. I shall not miss the crazy driving. The days of being on my knees before the shower hoping for water. The routine of tablets suncream insect replant and bite cream. Goat stew!
What I will miss will be the boys. The boys from the street and those in Tuda. It has been a real privilege to have spent time with them. Their thanks and gratitude has been overwhelming. It is amazing to see what football can do and how it has changed these boys.
And yes I will be coming again I think 2009 would be right.
Thanks for all your support and prayers and to my family for their love and support.
Simon
Early Monday we are on our way to safari, a 6 hour drive from here. I am so looking forward to that knowing our experience of the roads. It will be more like a funfair ride than a coach trip.
Yesterday was full of goodbyes. First thing in the morning we went to the Club house and said goodbyes to the staff and boys there. We gathered in a large room and the Director Simon gave a lovely speech full of gratitude for the way we had thrown ourselves into the work, spending time painting, meeting with the staff and being with the boys. Mike responded on our behalf. I think many of us had tears in our eyes as we said goodbye to the boys from the street.
We then went off to Tuda the halfway house. We stopped at the bottom of the road well mud track really leading to Tuda from the main road as some of the boys (Mike included) wanted to ride the boda (the mopeds) to along the lane. I also took the ride and turned up covered in the red dust almost from head to toe. It was a great ride and at times I thought I was going to come off as we went over the bumpy road and I lost contact with the seat and the bike. We did all arrive safely.
We had our last holiday club with the boys. The highlight of the day was the afternoon football match. The boys just loved the sports, Dave got a bit upset with some of the ref's decisions but scored a goal which made him happy.
We finished the club with a prize giving. The talent show finalists all got a t-shirt and cap and then all the boys got a book and football shirt. They were jumping for joy at getting the books; really happy with the shirts. We presented the parachute to them and you would have thought we had given them the crown jewels they were so happy.
The goodbyes were sad, some of the boys got up to say a thank you and goodbye and we were again moved to tears by their gratitude for the time we had spent with them.
Reviewing the pictures this morning just shows that these boys just want to be children ordinary children playing and having fun. Most of the pictures were taken by the boys. I think I have have only taken 30 of the 500 or so photographs I have, the rest have been taken by the boys.
One of my happiest memory from the last 2 weeks will be painting an outside wall one morning. There was me and 3 or 4 boys applying this orange paint to the walls and sometimes to each other. Their English was little my Lugandan even less. We had a good few hours and then I shared with them some sugar can and pancakes. The boys took me down the road to buy it and took great care of me there and back. The sugar was full of water! I was shown the correct way of eating it!
The boys we have meet have been great. I must admit I was worried about how they would react to us. Their reaction has been one of welcome, really happy to see us. The boys come off the street into the club house unwashed smelly and looking dreadful. But all they want is a hug some time a wash and a space to be safe. It has been really humbling to be with them. It is hard to imagine that the boys at Tuda had once been on the street and for some only a few weeks ago. It is nothing short of a miracle the work being done here.
Yesterday talking to some of the boys all they wish for is a home and someone to love them. Very simple requests.
I think in a previous post you will have heard of the 4 or so hour service that Helen and I went to last week. I have put in a request for a short service tomorrow. The boys service that Helen & I went to was really great and very moving as they presented a drama sowing their experiences. We asked them to perform a song yesterday they had written about their life. We have a video of it for all to see.
So what will I miss. Well I shall not miss the red dust everywhere, in my mouth my ears and covering all surfaces. Even after a shower my towel turns red and I thought I had washed. I shall not miss the crazy driving. The days of being on my knees before the shower hoping for water. The routine of tablets suncream insect replant and bite cream. Goat stew!
What I will miss will be the boys. The boys from the street and those in Tuda. It has been a real privilege to have spent time with them. Their thanks and gratitude has been overwhelming. It is amazing to see what football can do and how it has changed these boys.
And yes I will be coming again I think 2009 would be right.
Thanks for all your support and prayers and to my family for their love and support.
Simon
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
We Can't Stop Giving Out Shirts!!!!
Carrying on from the brilliant shirt giving ceremony at the clubhouse this morning, Jono, Paul and I went with Alfred the sports coach to the tigers club Hostel to meet the boys as they had a match arranged with a local school today. We kitted them out fully in the Yellow Bristol City away strip of the 2004/2005 season!! They all looked the part as they took to the field, smiles beaming, all matching in a full kit!! They also knew it was thiers to keep so that gave taking to the field an extra special feel for the boys! We stayed and watched the first 10 minutes and the boys looked very impressive! One of the boys had represented the Ugandan National team at youth level so he wasn't too bad... I would'nt mind competing against him though... :P! Only joking! When we arrived back at the Clubhouse, the boys had just finished thier regular morning football session, Returning though the tiger's gates in thier new shirts, grins stretching from ear to ear, it was a great feeling. We then proceeded to finishing our painting job on the clubhouse before heading out to Tudabuija for our afternoon holiday club!
Peace out! Dave! xxx
Peace out! Dave! xxx
I'll never forget those beaming smiles!
Today was the day we have all been waiting for! We gave out the football shirts we have been donated to the boys today at the clubhouse. As soon as they saw the huge mound of jersey's their faces lit up! What a moment! All of them were extremely proud of their new tops, making sure they took special care of them - one boy even asked to change his top as it was white and so impossible to keep clean! Can't say I'm that careful with a new top! It proved to me just how momentus an occasion this was for the boys.
All in all, I believe we gave out 60-ish tops. It took so long to do anything else after the "ceremony" as all of the boys wanted their photos taken several dozen times!!!!! We got plenty of pictures if anyone wishes to see them (I'm sure you will). A truly awesome day!
Jono
All in all, I believe we gave out 60-ish tops. It took so long to do anything else after the "ceremony" as all of the boys wanted their photos taken several dozen times!!!!! We got plenty of pictures if anyone wishes to see them (I'm sure you will). A truly awesome day!
Jono
The Grumpy Water Shortages....
At this point I have no idea how things are water wise back in England, but Uganda has a water shortage....
The water shortage here is quite a unique one though, as it seems to be centred only on our guest house and only on our corridor. Yes there is water everywhere apart from coming out of our own showers. At this point most of the team haven't had a proper shower for about 3 days, and you can forget about hair styles at this point. Washing hands is proving to be quite difficult, and some of us are in need of a shave.
Please pray for Water......
As mentioned in the title this is making us a bit grumpy, let alone smelly, sandy, dirty and we are now known as the "Minging Mzungos." With all that we have seen and experienced so far, it's amasing that the little thing of having no water is really getting to us, but I guess we are just a little run down and needing to refresh our tired smelly bodies.
Please pray for our tempers and frustration, and for patience with each other.
Thanks,
Chris
The water shortage here is quite a unique one though, as it seems to be centred only on our guest house and only on our corridor. Yes there is water everywhere apart from coming out of our own showers. At this point most of the team haven't had a proper shower for about 3 days, and you can forget about hair styles at this point. Washing hands is proving to be quite difficult, and some of us are in need of a shave.
Please pray for Water......
As mentioned in the title this is making us a bit grumpy, let alone smelly, sandy, dirty and we are now known as the "Minging Mzungos." With all that we have seen and experienced so far, it's amasing that the little thing of having no water is really getting to us, but I guess we are just a little run down and needing to refresh our tired smelly bodies.
Please pray for our tempers and frustration, and for patience with each other.
Thanks,
Chris
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