Back row: left to right James Shepherd, Zara Heaven, Kathryn Midgeley, Anthony Brown, Adam Tyer, Charlie Gledhill-Flyn, Jess Maidment, James Scott, Amanda Cave, Adam Fenton, Mr Andrew Priory,
Front row: left to right Charlotte Wright, Mr Andy Buckingham, Daniel Gavan, Fahan Huq,
Jack Ryden, Chris Brees, Chris Barlow, Declan Murphy, Chris Wright.
UGANDA CLASS OF 2010 VISIT
July 2010
TRIP BACKGROUND
Dr Paul Wright approached me to see if we could help with a school he was trying to support that Reverend Erasmus was trying to give local children who could not afford to attend school in the Wakiso District of Kampala. Erasmus asked Paul memorably with the phrase “bring me young people please”.
The first trip to the Good Samaritan School. Our students were confronted with a school that was built with a couple of classrooms. They were very basic, dirt floors and bricks missing. There was no running water, this was brought up directly from the river. Pupils were sleeping on the floor of the classrooms. Up to 40 children were doing this. Food was being provided by cooking on an open fire.
Despite their surroundings the spirit of the teachers and children was uplifting and overwhelming. They were full of life and fun. We were blown away by this.
FUNDRAISING
This was exclusively done by the group together. We had not given each student a target to achieve by themselves in this first visit. We raised just over £3000 by holding a concert in school. Car washing and quizzes. We were extremely pleased to then have a donation from Mr Steve Lamb (former parent and benefactor of QEGS). He matched our efforts by giving another £3000.
MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS
This group were our ground breakers. They showed what was possible, the money they raised paid for the Assembly Hall to be built. They got involved in the classrooms and played with the children. They were a fantastic group to work with and we had an amazing experience. Visiting Mackay Secondary School and going to Queen Elizabeth’s National Park for safari. They also visited Rev. Erasmus now in retirement in Kabale, here they stayed in and helped decorate a hostel that was built for female nurses to stay in safety.
-Andy Buckingham (Trip Leader 2010)
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