TODAY – VOLUNTEER KEN KIRK’S THOUGHTS ON THE FIRST TWO LEGS OF OUR TRIP – AND A ROUND UP OF TOURNAMENT DAY AT KILEMBE

With two legs down and one to go I am thoroughly enjoying the Cricket Without Boundaries experience in Uganda, although it is hard work. Having given over 500 children a taste of cricket it is obvious that African children are natural athletes with good ball skills. Given the awful conditions, there is no doubt that a hight standard could be achieved.

However, cricket, unlike other outdoor sports, requires a special wicket which is expensive to produce and maintain. If our efforts, including the coaching of school teachers, creates an enthusiasm for the sport which then generates a demand for the right facilities then we shall have done the youth of Africa proud. The efforts of CWB (5 countries in 2012) are remarkable and deserve to be encouraged. I know that all the volunteers on the trip will be trying to find at least two volunteers for future trips!

It has also been part of our task to continue the AIDS awareness programme which is such a part of African youth education – a salutory reminder of the stark statistics of the disease.

KEN

Our departure from the community of Kilembe was marked by a tournament between 8 primary schools. There was some fairly partisan support for victories from the local Bulembia School as you can see from the picture gallery.

Neil worked with a wonderful group of children from Kyanjuki School – and their cricketing skills delighted him (as did their somersault celebrations – demonstrated below).

Neil presented the school with a couple of the cricket bats donated by Redmile School – and they recorded a special thank you!

We’re now having 24 hours off in the Queen Elizabeth Game Reserve – a well earned rest for all the team!