Thursday 25th July- Kirima Parents primary school.

The day began with more LRTT with Frank. The LRTT training consisted of more lesson planning and ways to motivate and interest students.

After the lesson we headed to one of the schools that VU works with, called Kirima Parents. This was our first interaction with the kids in Uganda. Instantly after stepping out the van we were absolutely mobbed by kids who were holding our hands, grabbing at our hair, faces and arms. We went from the van to the staff room where we were given our first (of many) proper Ugandan meals: Posho, Mitoki and beans. The only way I can describe the taste of Posho is that it tastes like mashed nothing. Mitoki is basically potatoed banana and beans are just beans. The food isn’t as bad as you would think, but it is incredibly dense, bland and filling.

The football pitch/play area

After the meal at the school, I, Dec and a couple of other lads went down to the football pitch to play with the kids. The pitch at the school was set up like an arena, a flat(ish), large patch of ground situated below the school. Calling the game the kids were playing as football is slightly flattering. A better way to describe it is to just randomly boot the ball in any direction.

Once the lunch break was over we were allowed to sit in on classes and watch how Ugandan teachers work in their lessons. I sat in on 3 or so lessons making brief notes, but mainly just observing how the children are taught and what I could do when I begin teaching. In one of the lessons Samir was observing in, a student had drawn him as the 'Indian Commando' which he absolutely loved and claims that he will be framing it when he gets home.

After school had finished we were taken to a nearby secondary school to play netball. Netball again was a flattering way to describe the matches, as it was a lot more physical than Netball. The girls lost their game, and then us boys were forced to play a game. We did really well and drew 2-2 despite being told we lost 3-1. Afterwards we went back to the lodge, had dinner and then went to bed.

Pav and Samir the 'Indian Commando'