2020 UGANDA - Adventure and training

To say that this week has been an adventure, is an understatement. For me, getting to Uganda was a challenge. After a flight cancellation, it meant that I was a day late and I ended up in Johannesburg instead of Nairobi for my next flight. On the plus side, I met some interesting and funny people on my journey. They made a complicated situation enjoyable and full of laughs.

Once I arrived in Kampala, it was straight into training. The guys had already begun the training the day before so I guess I missed a little bit. Let me tell you, doing action packed sports and play is a lot more difficult in blistering heat than I had originally thought. Don’t get me wrong, the heat is amazing and Uganda is such a beautiful country, but the heat can be a bit much sometimes. Every chance we got, we were in the pool cooling down, be it first thing in the morning, before lunch and dinner or even after dinner. I think on Tuesday (only day 2), we were all tempted to jump straight into the pool after a session, it was that hot!

We definitely learnt a lot during this week. Our teamwork skills and delivering techniques have improved so much in a short space of time. We took in every bit of feedback from Mike, Gideon and each other to better our skills and confidence.

We put the new found confidence and techniques into the practice sessions we had with Soccer Without Borders and the Solidarity Eden Foundation. Even though these sessions were difficult because of numbers and available space, we made the most of every opportunity thrown our way. I know that Gaia put everything into playing Bulldogs with the kids! For someone who is so short in height, she has a big personality that the children love. They would follow her anywhere, and so would I.

After what seemed to be a really long and jam packed week, it was time for us to head to Kamwenge to get ready for the next six weeks! I know that we will miss the pool in Red Chilli. Josh especially, he loved splashing about and learning how to swim! However, we are ready to get stuck into the sessions and create lasting happiness with the children in Rwamwanja Refugee Camp!

Written by Siobhan O’Reilly