Uganda 08 diary - Day 16: visiting some of our schools in Kampala - part 1

This was to be one of our busiest days in Uganda. Bro. Dominic, who had been with us for the first few days in Kisubi and then Kasasa, took us to visit 2 our of De La Mennais Brothers schools in Kampala, the capital, about 12 miles from where we were staying in Kisubi.

The day began in relaxed fashion. Bro. Francis and I took a stroll around the grounds of the Kisubi lakeside retreat where we were staying, admiring once more the watchful pelican-type birds that congregate around the property.

Mid-morning we set off to visit a hotel complex that the Brothers wanted us to see as an example of the type of place that rich dignitaries stay in (including the Queen!) when they visit Uganda. It was indeed impressive, though we did feel rather awkward at the relative opulence of it all. However, this feeling was tempered when we were told that it gave lots of emplyment to local people. Even so...

The name of the resort was very familiar to us Scousers (and adopted Scousers), Speke being a large neighbourhood to the south of the city.

Checking the prices... a bit out of our range.

The local monkeys put on an impressive show for us... obviously used to inquisitive tourists!

Simon risked life and limb to get a closer look.

The hotel marina. John no.2, another driver who helped us out the first and last few days of our trip.

We said goodbye to the monkeys and moved on to the next part of our tour, Kabojja Primary School. To do so we had to drive through one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Kampala where the living conditions are truly pitiful. This was a culture shock after the luxury of the hotel resort and only served to emphasis our ill ease at how the 2 worlds can co-exist so close to each other. But then that would probably be the case in many cities around the world today, so it would be wrong of us to be too hard on Uganda.

The view back down from Kabojja towards the slum we drove through.

Being shown round the grounds of our Kabojja school by 2 of the Brothers.

Building works going on in the grounds. Probably the most rickety scaffolding we had ever seen.

Being welcomed into the school by Head Teacher, Bro. Godfrey who I met during my 4 years studying in Paris. He was studying in Rome at that time, but came to France one summer to improve his French.

The whole school was there to warmly welcome us...

... and listen with us to a performance by the incredible school orchestra: all primary children, and all playing traditional instruments from different parts of Uganda.

We were also treated to some traditional dancing.