Wow, in just over 24 hours, Team Uganda will be congregating at the check-in desk of Kenya Airways at Heathrow Airport. From my first initial contact with the passionate Carl Ferguson in early October to today, the months have rolled by but this week has been agony waiting for Saturday 17th to come round!
The lead up to the trip has been immense with the continuous banter on our Whatsapp group to serious planning. All of us have been fundraising like mad, collecting various donations to talking about our music playlist choices – Bob is already taking earplugs to block out my choice of Bieber songs!
We’ve all had our local papers cover our trip and I have to give a shout-out to my local community paper, the Maidenhead Advertiser. Those guys have been incredible and it was thanks to them, that the story was picked up by the BBC and consequently, Carl & I were able to go live on air on BBC Asian Network to talk about the trip and the work CWB do. However, the training in Coventry has been a particular highlight meeting the entire CWB team – the dedication, the passion and enthusiasm they showed has been just infectious.
Last but not least, on behalf of Team Uganda & CWB, I was delighted to receive a letter from the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Theresa May MP wishing the team well on our travels and recognising the work CWB do on the continent. Recognition is not what I do this for but for CWB, it means a lot – as a volunteer-led charity, CWB rely on publicity and volunteers to help them continue delivering the amazing work they do and acknowledgement from the top is another milestone in CWB history.
Like everyone else on my team, I can’t wait to get out there to raise awareness and teach vital messages. This is a dream come true and there is no chance in hell that I don’t give it everything I’ve got.
CWB seek to break down barriers and educate so aptly, I leave you with a quote from a world legend – one very worthy of the honour:
Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Tameena
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