OLUNAKU OL OLUNJI!!!

Before I even opened my eyes on Monday, I could hear the rain pounding down. For the first time, the climate was comparable to that which we're used to back in England... in the middle of the summer. All the Africans were running around in thick coats and wellies, complaining about how cold it was - apparently the country literally grinds to a halt when it rains. You can use it as an excuse for missing school, work, your first-born daughter's wedding...  I had to laugh, but I saw why this was the case when we drove into school - the  un-paved roads (which is most of them) become absolute quagmires, and it was very comic watching Ema the driver frantically twisting and turning the wheel while the car slid left and right in the thick mud. They found it funny when I told them it was just like driving on ice back home as they've never seen snow or ice in real life.

 Monday was a tough day... I went to ASCO and guess what we did all morning? Watched Ratatouille, which all the the kids loved. Then it was still raining, so we watched Space Jam, which they also loved. Not quite as much as Ratatouille though; you've got to hand it to Pixar, GASTRONOMY + RODENT = CLASSIC WINNING FORMULA. Then it was still raining, so we went home and watched Ratatouille again... we must look like such slackers!!! No, actually the reason we put the movies on for the kids was because in the other room we were on rotation completing the paint job, and we needed them all out of the way. Some of the kids like to help out, but we have to be careful because some of them sneak off and start sniffing the paint. We are slowly forming a plan of action for Asco, and a lot of the credit for this has to go to Liberty, who has been instrumental in motivating everyone to help out, and is also using her own money to fund the project until we can find sponsorship. If anyone reading this is interested in providing funding to help rehabilitate, teach and feed the homeless children of Jinja, drop me a line at miles.lemlawrence@gmail.com. We are actually quite desperate for help at the moment, as we have been notified by the owner of the property we've been using that we are no longer going to be able to run the project back. This is devastating, especially as we have just finished repainting the place, so we need to find another premises to rent as soon as possible. In addition to all this, the children have been sleeping on the street as we cannot provide a place for them to stay overnight. All of this needs to change, so any help  would be much appreciated.

 Tuesday was Sophie's birthday! Rachel had set an alarm at 12am to kick the day off, and most of the crew went and stormed Soph's room to wish her tidings and felicitations and all that. I rolled over and sent her a text. Principles. It read, "Happy Birthday! Ps. I woke up to send this message". I heard the message come through across the quad, followed by Tom's cry of "Classic Miles" across the quad. Satisfied, I rolled over and went back to sleep. Soph woke up and was thrust a card from all of us; I think we were actually more excited about her birthday than she was!!! I'll cut to the evening, when we all got kitted out in traditional African clothing and hit Gately hotel for dinner. The food was totally minted, and we were all starving, so we went all out; many even ordered dessert (myself included). It had to be the "Gately's famous 'never say die' chocolate and banana rocky mountain dream-cake". THE MOST pretentious titled dessert I have ever encountered. Almost. Next on the menu was essentially "vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce", but it was described in over 30 words... Frankly, I was quite impressed. Sarah, Laura, "WEZ" and co. all threw a house party for Soph afterwards, and we danced the night away. The next birthday has a LOT to live up to.

 Back onto ASCO, I've found a bright young boy named Paul who is very enthusiastic about going to secondary school, but his parents cannot afford to send him. Out in Uganda, primary education is free up to the age of 11 (roughly), but after that many children have to drop out of school. Paul wants to be a doctor when he grows up, and although he's quite shy, we are drawing him slowly out of his shell. He loves mathematics and is a Chelsea supporter - you've probably guessed by now that my parents and I are trying to get him a place at Lords Meade! Fingers crossed, as nothing is confirmed at the moment, but I'm hoping that he will soon be able to join his best friend Thomas at LMVC, whom Rachel's family have sponsored. It's all very exciting, and I should have more news about that soon. Thanks again for taking the time to read my blog; please don't hesitate to get in touch via email. From Miles