Fun in the Sun with the S.A.L.V.E. Children

We’ve now reached the end of a wonderful first week for the UK team out here in Uganda, with many memorable moments, and plenty of progress to report.

The planning for the year ahead has now been done, after the S.A.L.V.E. team held their annual AGM on Thursday. Amidst a table full of paper, pens and glasses full of passion fruit juice, ideas were discussed and plans set in place for 2011. With fundraising for the land well underway in the UK, discussions about a future home of our own was a hot topic, as was the recruitment of new staff members who we hope will join us over the course of the year.

Some funny faces from our youngest boys!

But by far the most rewarding aspect of the trip so far for Nicola, Caitlin and myself has been all the time we’ve had with the children. On Friday, we made the trip to Teen Missions, the holiday camp which the older children have spent the last three weeks at. Helena, Blessing, Moreen, Tiff, Emma and Hassan all boarded the bus home with big smiles, certificates aplenty, and tales of the many new friends they had made. As we arrived back at the S.A.L.V.E. home, there were cheers and hugs all round as the younger children ran out of the house to greet them with open arms – a wonderful sight to see as the S.A.L.V.E. family was reunited once more.

The S.A.L.V.E. family

Saturday brought with it plenty of excitement for the children, with Emma’s primary school leaving results being delivered to the home first thing. We are thrilled to report that not only did Emma pass, allowing him to progress to secondary school, but he did so with flying colours, gaining a First Division result, and graduating amongst the best in his class!

After the excitement of the morning, we all set off for an eagerly-awaited trip to the pool. Swimming has always been a huge favourite with our water-loving kids, and the pool was soon filled with screams, shouts and three very wet Trustees!

Fun at the pool for Junior, Helena, Masolo and Asuman

And don’t forget, if you like swimming as much as the S.A.L.V.E. children do, make sure you sign up to Splash for S.A.L.V.E., our sponsored swim to raise funds for us to build a home of our own.

Nicola, Helen and Caitlin enjoy the sunset over the Nile

So after a very busy week, it was time for us to sit back and reflect a little on the trip so far, and where better for this than overlooking the Nile with a drink in hand. As the sun set over the water, we had plenty to think about and lots to look forward to for the coming week. With more trips planned to our street clinic and community education project, and the annual S.A.L.V.E. day out with the children on the cards, it looks set to be a busy week with lots more fun to come!