The nicer end of the slums

This morning we visited the slums in Kampala and saw some of the places and conditions people live in. 

It was great to see the reaction of people to the workers of CFH as they walked down the street. What an honour to see.

The train line that runs down the main street is the train that runs once a week to the congo, different than the wait for a tube (or the every two hours of the Aberystwyth - Birmingham train) or next time there are leaves on the line, imagine a pile of rubbish three feet high on the lines.

In the afternoon we visited another school, where all the children were so overjoyed to see us. it was hard to leave after they had sung us such beautiful songs and shown their overwhelming desire to play and interact with us.

An update from the team

An historic day in the life of CFH Uganda, in many ways the fulfilment of vision that began in me in 1998 – a team of teachers and students from the UK partnering in real ways with Ugandan teachers and students!

-Trevor

A real privilege to see the nursery and pre-primary classes in action. Joining in with active rhyme time really broke the ice and we have had fun learning variations of our traditional rhymes with the children. During an afternoon nap for the children myself and the teachers, we had lots of time to share our heart and passion for the early years. 

-  Angie

 

 

 

 

I have spent 20 minutes looking at this screen trying to work out what to say here but the last couple of days has been such a whirlwind of culture emotions and eye opening moments that I think it will take years to fully appreciate what I've seen so far. What a great day in the school within five minutes of being in a class I was handed a red pen and was marking English grammar exercises, can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

 

-  Chris

Feeling better and have been able to take part in nursery class – The interaction with staff and children has been so encouraging.

- Jeannie

On Africa! Today was great! Interaction with the kids was wonderful. Great insight. Can’t wait for Wednesday. #UG

-  JJ

It was very different being in a class of almost 30 people! It was different teaching and I had a lot of fun with Sophina and she showed me their dorms and it was a very good day,

- Abigail

 

I had a great time in the classroom, students made me dance which I found very interesting. Also, built a good relationship with the students.

-  Jude  

It was very interesting experiencing their school day and how they are taught. I also learnt how much we really mean to everyone especially our sponsor brothers/sisters.

-  Pete

Have seen and heard much to think about today. Everyone was very welcoming and I understand much more about how to teach classes of 60+ in a room equipped with a blackboard that is a difficult to write on with and with no text books!

-  Philippa

I had a wonderful time in the primary school today. In the afternoon I even got the chance to teach part of a lesson on poultry! I also did a lot of marking!! A highlight for me was meeting the senior lab technician (my counterpart in Uganda) and discussing their needs as a department. I’m really looking forward to shopping for science equipment later in the week having seen how much of an impact it could have.

- Jess

Having the opportunity to be in the classes I will be teaching on Wednesday and to receive such a massive cheer was great (not sure if it was because it is maths, or what.) Built good relationship with the head of maths and some of the maths staff. Really looking forward to Wednesday simply having a great time.

-   Edward

I loved capturing the experiences of each individual team member today. I realised that I had already made an impact with so many of the children by spending time with them. Looking through the images I have taken in the last 2 days, I see the true beauty in every child and the joy we are experiencing as a group xXx

-  Joyce

Tuesday 31st March

Please pray for the teachers on the team as they work alongside the teachers in the local schools.

Pray for wisdom as they share their own teaching knowledge and a positive experience in the classrooms as they teach lessons.

First day of school

We have spent our first day at school and what a great day it was. 

Peter has been upgraded to teacher; teaching a computer class the theories of social media because the electricity was out. 

Although unfortunately, by the end of the day all our students had been called to the office

 

... just for a drink and a catch-up ;) 

New Pupils

Muyenga High School has 4 new students today. Abigail and Joyce are joining Abigails sponsored sister Sofina, while Jude and Peter join Peter's sponsored brother Jeoffrey in Senior 3!

Time for School!

Breakfast

Good morning 

Oli otya

After learning some luganda yesterday the team are excited to visit Muyenga hugh school. 

Better get a good breakfast first

Bananas on the bunch

 

And omlettes wrapped in pancakes and chilli sauce 

Monday 30th March

Please pray for the team as they spend the day visiting St Barnabas Primary School and Muyenga High School.

Basketball

Whilst some of the team were singing songs and playing with the children JJ, Peter and  Jude went to the school to play basketball

Also Jude has told me that he hasnt been impressed by some of JJ's comments and has asked for this photo to be posted

First day update

 The bubbles went down really well

... As did the balloons

As did photo time

Cannot believe we have been in Uganda less than 24 hours

Children's service

Our day started with the 8am school service and peter and abigail got a chance to be a part of the action

 

Sunday 29th March

Please pray for the team as they adjust to the time difference, temperature and new cultural experiences in Uganda.

Please pray for Trevor as he preaches at Kampala Evangelical Free Church.

Safely arrived!

We have arrived safely at the Adonai guest house after a wonderful welcome at the airport.  Many of us were met by the children we support and there was great joy, celebration and dancing in the carpark.

Now for some sleep!

Five hours into the flight

And Jude has been asleep for the whole flight

At the airport...

The whole team have made it to the airport with our 26 bags!!! That's a bag each and 10 bags full of your generous donations... thank you!

Jude and JJ are making the most of their last few hours connected to electricity and wifi!

Saturday 28th March

Please pray for travelling mercies as the team journey to Uganda and a blessed arrival as they are met at the other end of their journey.

Pray especially for those meeting their adopted family members for the first time.

Meet the Team Part 5

Trevor Howard

 

I am employed as the UK and International Co-ordinator for Churches in Communities International.  I hold a Masters' in Urban Education on the development of education in Kampala, Uganda, and speak French, German and Arabic.  I have visited Uganda almost every year, sometimes twice a year since I started working for Cornerstone Christian Centre in 1997.

 

I am the Team Leader alongside Marion Stoner and hope that my experience of Uganda and its education system will help the Cornerstone team members contextualise what they see, hear and experience.

 

Making sure that the team works well together!  This is the largest team from Cornerstone to ever visit Uganda and I pray that the relationships with all our friends in Uganda as well as among the team will be excellent.

I'm also very excited that Peter will be on the team and he will meet for the first time all the people I've been talking about for his whole life!!  Especially the children we 'adopted' and sponsor.

 

We arrive very late on Saturday evening and at the moment I will be preaching at both the 8am and 10am services at Kampala Evangelical Free Church - so please pray that my preparation and delivery will be a blessing!!

Otherwise, it's all about everyone else getting the most out of the trip, both the Cornerstone Team and the Ugandan staff, students, trustees and all!

 

 

Meet the Team Part 4

Jude Sagoe

I am an administrator and bookkeeper for Cornerstone Christian Centre.  In my spare time I love to watch football ( I support Manchester United), play basketball and table tennis. 

I am hoping to encourage and show love to those I meet in Uganda.  I want to spend quality time with the children out there and leave them with a smile on their face.

I am most excited about meeting the young people and getting to visit East Africa.  I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet those living in the Orphanage and see how they are cared for.

Please pray for protection, strength and good relationships with everyone I meet.

Angela Leeves

(This is Angie enjoying some messy art with her grandson Eli)

I have been the leader of  Cornerstone's pre-school, Ready Steady Go!, for 23 years and I'm passionate about learning through play and supporting families. I'm also the pre-school's SENCO and am very interested in seeing children with additional needs included and supported to reach their potential. Oh - and I love messy play!

I'm hoping to share playful learning experiences with the children of nursery age and, exchange ideas and practice  with their teachers. I also want to take back experiences to Ready Steady Go! to share with our children and families & staff  (who have all been really supportive in donating gifts) and am taking our pre-school's toy monkey "Albert" with me to help the children feel more involved in learning about a different country and culture.

I'm excited about everything but am especially interested in seeing the pastoral support for the children, experiencing Africa with ALL my senses, and meeting the people - from my sponsored "daughter" to relatives of a family at RSG. 

Please pray that I can be a blessing and encouragement and grow into more of who God wants me to be.

 

Meet the Team Part 3

Today it's time to introduce the two youngest members of our team, Peter and Abigail who will be going out to meet and support their peers in Uganda.

Peter Howard

I am a student at Ravens Wood School for Boys in year 9. I row and cox for Globe Rowing Club and also am good at other sports too. I also play the Euphonium and love music a lot. 

I am hoping to be able to share my sporty, energetic and musical talents with the people out in Uganda. 

I'm most excited about meeting my brothers and sister for the first time. Seeing where my dad goes most years and discovering life alongside the poorest people in Africa! 

I ask that people would pray for health not only for me but the whole team, energy and rest and finally that all the team and I will be a massive blessing to the people out in Uganda.

Abigail Hedley

I am a Year 9 student at Babington House School. I enjoy playing the flute and swimming.

I enjoy looking after young children, so I look forward to playing with the children in the orphanage and giving them my special attention. I could also help junior school children with reading writing English and  basic maths.

I am very excited about everything we will be doing in Uganda.

Please pray that I don’t get too exhausted with the packed timetable. Pray for safety on the roads and air, and for us to keep healthy.

Meet the Team Part 2

Today it's time to meet  Jess and Chris..."the technicians"!

Chris Stewart

I am employed by Aberystwyth University's Drama Department where I work as a Theatre Technician. My job is to technically support students and staff in their various projects and to help facilitate the smooth running of the department. One of my favourite things about my job is helping other people see their vision become reality.

In my spare time I am on the management board of the staff sports and social club and enjoy taking photographs. 

The school we are visiting has no theatre lessons so I plan on getting involved mostly in extra-curricular activities: playing football, maybe joining in with an after-school drama club but mostly seeing where I can support teachers and show love in a more general capacity.

I am most excited about meeting people, watching the sun set and eating new and exciting foods. 

Please pray that I would easily find a way to serve the people, the school and the team during my time in Uganda and that my expectations would be increased  by my experience

Jessica-Ann Jenner

I work as a Science Lab Technician at Langley Park Girls School and am also very involved with the Children’s Ministry at Cornerstone Christian Centre.  In my spare time I love to perform with local amateur dramatics groups.

I am looking forward to working alongside the Science department at the Muyenga High School and seeing some of the extra-curricular activities that take place after school.

I am most looking forward to meeting Sarah my adopted sister who lives with Christian Family Helpers in Uganda.

Please pray for wisdom and inspiration of ways that I can support the Science department and that we would have plenty of time just to get to know some of the children and enjoy their company.