June 14, 2020 - 900 views
Just before the COVID-19 virus broke in the UK, a team of local Rotarians plus friends spent a February fortnight in a remote Ugandan village helping the residents with educational equipment, training and infrastructure.
Last Tuesday James Thomas of Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr Rotary spoke addressed to members of the Llandudno group by video link about his experiences as a member of this team.
The main project was to build a new mission house for 10-19 year old boys to move into.
Work also included fixing boreholes, purchasing a cow, adding guttering and repairing the floors to the school and supplying feminine products to students.
Most of the work was with Primary School children but James also found himself teaching Maths and IT to the Secondary School.
James conveyed to members that the abiding – and humbling – impression gained was that however modest and rudimentary the help was that was being offered, it was diligently and enthusiastically seized on by the young Ugandan people involved.
The education was mutual and the visiting Rotarians benefited greatly from the visit. All members of the team came away from Africa determined to return one day, (for several it was their third or fourth visit).
Members were particularly touched by the attitude of the young people were able to find contentment and even happiness that most of us in the developed world would find cause for despair.
