And so our experience at the school has come to an end (for now).
Nobody from our group has not been moved by the love of the children that we have met – compared to us, they seem to have so little in the way of possessions; however they are rich in love and happiness.
We are returning to our comfortable lives, while we leave these children behind to their 4.00am starts, their cold showers and their porridge and beans.
Yet these children are the fortunate ones compared to others in the area – thanks to this school, they are receiving a good education – one which will hopefully lead to a good secondary education, a university degree and a good career.
Uganda has taught us all lessons.
We have seen a young boy of 2 with rickets, struggling to walk, tripping and spilling his porridge on the ground, yet his rickets are hopefully curable but nobody can afford the medicine which costs 9 euros a month.
Life is hard here, and often it is survival of the fittest, but it is a place where people care.
Doctors who could probably work in a hospital earning good money stay here earning very little because it is their community.
The teachers are amazing.
We know that money at the school is tight and many teachers have not been paid, yet still they work 7 days a week, 18 hours a day…
We have all shed a fair few tears – saying goodbye to boys and girls who are holding your hands, hugging you, crying and who have left an indelible mark on our hearts, is difficult.
Saying goodbye to the staff at the lodge has been hard.
They have looked after us dutifully for 2 weeks and they have nothing but a smile on their faces.
Some earn about 25 euros a month but they are always happy – nothing is too much trouble.
Emotionally, we are all wrecked – our experiences have stripped us bare, and we cannot wait to see our families and loved ones, but we are all leaving with a huge amount of sadness.
We may be leaving Uganda, but Uganda and our experience will not be leaving us.
Thank you Ruhanga School and thank you Uganda.