AN UNPLANNED ADVENTURE

That evening I got talking to Sophie and Chris who were both volunteering for an organisation called soft power education. After hearing about all the fun they have had so far and the incredible work they're doing they convinced me to join them the following morning to have a look around the headquarters in the local Village. So the next morning I was up early and ready to go. During the walk to the HQ we stopped at the house chris and sophie were staying. The homestay was run by an elderly couple called Felix and Gertrude. Very kindly invite me round for dinner that evening which I was really looking forward to as I hadn't got to experience local Ugandan food yet. Upon arrival at the headquarters in the village I was introduced to the Volunteer coordinator, a local man called Aggrey. Following a quick tour of the headquarters I was convinced just spend the whole day with the team. We spent the morning helping out one of the teachers in a preschool run by Soft power education, which was a great experience. Most of the lesson consisted of dancing, singing and a few spelling games. It was such a positive environment to be in and it was so heartwarming to see all the kids enjoying their time at school. A quick sandwich at the campsite was followed by a bumpy car journey on the infamous Ugandan dirt tracks to a school in the next village. The school houses a residential special needs unit which is funded by Soft power education. Again I was absolutely blown away. I could sit down and talk for hours about how brilliant and inspirational the kids from the unit are. The majority of the children from the unit are deaf, however the unit is also home to children with Down syndrome and other various learning difficulties. We spent the afternoon playing parachute games dancing and of course very competitive match of football and as we drove away back to the campsite I was doing some serious thinking. Should I carry on with my cycle ride in a few days time as previously planned or should I take the leap and spend some time volunteering with soft power education for a week or two and then get back on the bike? Thankfully I made the right choice and decided to have an adventure with soft power education. So I packed up my tent and bicycle and moved in with Felix and Gertrude and their mad village house full of ducks, turkeys, chickens and cats!!