Meeting the orphanage in 2011
On the 2nd of July our 2011 group of volunteers visited the children from Raising Up hope for Uganda orphanage who we work with throughout the year.
Before the visit Patrick, who runs Raising Up hope Uganda came to UWEC, where we are staying, to have a chat to all of the volunteers about the work that he and his working partner William are doing. Just a young man himself, Patrick does an amazing job and also runs a community outreach program and does work with the Street children in the slums.
Patrick and William are incredibly passionate about the work that they do with the children, and each year that we visit this never seems to change. We were eager to visit the children and some were slightly nervous on the bus, but once the doors opened at our destination, and we were greeted by 50 excited, smiling, happy children that couldn’t wait to meet us, any nerves instantly vanished.
We spent the afternoon at the orphanage with the children, playing games, getting to know them 
and finding out a bit more about the inspirational work that Patrick, William and all the staff at Raising Up Hope do. We walked around the orphanage and were shown where the children sleep and where they learn. The rooms were fairly small and not what we are used to in England at all. The children sleep on bunk beds and share rooms. Although Yebo have visited here in the past it is always good for each group of volunteers to come here to learn first hand about RUHU and also to get to know the children and for the children to get to know the volunteers before we start working with them.
All too soon it was time for us to leave, it was an experience that none of us will ever forget, an afternoon full of laughter, hugs and games with some amazing children. All of the Yebo team cannot wait to start working with the children again soon. With thanks to Elle, Helena, Janet, Trish, Rachel, Rachael, Melissa, Alice, Ailsa, Laura, Kajsa, Kay, Lorna and Claire, Patrick, William and all of the children.
By Gareth Dillard, July 17, 2011 @ 6:01 pm
What delightful children and a delightful bunch of workers! I wish you lots of luck in your project and will be following with great interest.