Festival day. After spending three days coaching around the Jinja area we were very much looking forward to seeing the children showcase what they had learnt in their sessions. Eight schools bringing two teams of 10 were entered into the festival and with the sun shining it was set to be a glorious day.
Each school played a minimum of three games of rapid fire and the competitiveness, passion and work rate they brought to every game was an inspiration. The smiles on children’s faces whether they hit the ball for six, caught or stopped a firing ball or were making lots of runs was an incredible sight to see. What was most impressive was the teamwork we witnessed on the field and how the teams came together and were progressing with every match and even employing tactics.
The coaches stood very proud especially when one of the schools who had only experienced their first ever taster session of cricket with us two days previously, made it to the final, learning how to lose graciously in the process. The local food mandazi was handed out to every participant who took part along with tennis balls for every school.
A quick Rolex for lunch and then we said our goodbyes to our Jinja coaching team Aaron, Oxi, Eddy and Sipress before hitting the road to Kumi.
Shopping for Rolexes
We drove through the lush green Ugandan countryside passing many villages, observing farmers working hard out in the fields, kids playing in their front porches, fruit and veg sellers at the side of the road, locals pumping water from the stations filling their jerry cans before carrying them on their heads home, an insight to rural life. We also saw sugar cane being dried out which apparently resembles human bones from one volunteers perspective!!
Four hours (which included and emcounter with Ugandan Traffic Police) later and we arrive in Kumi, another great day.
Karianna
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