Children’s first visit
It’s day five in the Ugandan wildlife Education Centre…the volunteers woke up to the lovely smell of jungle pancakes. Whilst thoroughly enjoying our breakfast , the children had eagerly arrived one hour earlier than expected. Quickly chomping down our bananas, we packed away and headed towards the conference room with great anticipation. Suddenly 43 excited faces ran towards the familiar volunteers and grabbed hold of their hands whilst preparing for the tour of the wildlife centre. The tour guide accompanied us and talked to the children about the different animals. A long stop was made at the home of the chimpanzees 
where we witnessed feeding time and learnt about the behaviour patterns. After learning some interesting facts about our fellow primates we had a well earnt lunch break…yum!
As we were feeding the primates, Patrick, who looks after all of the children at their orphanage, explained to the children that the chimpanzees that lived here were also orphans and had also come from difficult backgrounds. They were then told that the chimpanzees were now living in a safe and caring place at UWEC which was their orphanage, just like where they lived. They were told that chimpanzees are just like humans and that they 
go through difficult things, just like we do. We also watched their behaviour which was explained to the children as being a bit like our behaviour. They were told that chimpanzees can feel things just like we can. That they can be happy, sad, angry etc.
Returning to the conference room to start a fun packed afternoon, we found some children fast asleep…we were told that they had woken up at 4am from too much excitement!
For the activities the children were split up into 3 age 
groups: 6 and under, 7-11 and 11 over. The older children were making and painting chimpanzee masks, whereas the rest made and decorated plastic cup shakers. Everyone also made name tags which were thread with wool and made as necklaces.
The activities that we had planned were based around making primate based ideas, allowing the children to paint and make things that they had just seen when we were with the animals, so they could prepare some art and music ready for the next day when they would be joining us for drama activities. Some of the paintings and masks that were being made were absolutely amazing and the children have a real gift in being creative. Many of their expressions came out on the art work that they were making and it was exciting for us to see. The 
volunteers helped the children b encouraging them ot make different sound on their musical instruments that they had made which matched up with different feelings.
After lots of fun and jumping around it was time for the children to go back to the orphanage.
Later on in the evening after a tiring and enjoyable day, 
the volunteers decided to treat themselves to a meal out at a chinese restaurant. The meal was accompanied by interesting conversations, lots of laughter and reflections of the day.
By Roger Mallins, July 22, 2010 @ 10:28 am
What a magnificent report and superb photographs!! Those children arrived early. That says a lot.
Best Wishes to you all.
By Carolyn Fisher, July 22, 2010 @ 6:48 pm
sounds like you had an amazing day 🙂 x