Wherever we have travelled over the past week we have been thanked for what we have brought. Children have laughed and clapped and danced with us. Teachers have shook our hands and expressed their gratitude for taking an interest in their schools and their pupils who have so little. Local coaches, whose enthusiasm for the game and spreading their knowledge of it knows no bounds, have identified numerous hints and tips they have learnt from the team. However, these are all small in scale compared to what we have learnt this week.
600 children to organise – no problem!
How many bats do you need for a drill – as many as you have!
Can I run a session on my own – I can with confidence now!
Can we coach those who cannot speak the same language- just look at our gestures!
Will 100 children get in line – a Ugandan coach knows how!
Do I ever need some motivation – not now!
Travel is supposed to broaden the mind – if it does there are some very stretched heads right here. Keen to learn I asked a high school group what the best thing about living in Kumi was – without hesitation the Nyero Rock Art was identified (well the school was Nyero Rock school, and I wasn’t expecting any guitars, but wouldn’t have been surprised……). With a spare half hour at the end of the coaching day we took this recommendation- after all when would we pass this way again? We were treated to some fascinating rock paintings over 2000 years old in a glorious setting with views over endless African plains. Opening scene from the Lion King anyone? A new experience for us all, and a useful reminder that Uganda wasn’t discovered by our Victorian forebears – maybe even the source of the Nile was there long before Speke planted his flag for the Empire.
Nyero Rock Cave Paintings
Keen to follow even more local knowledge of roads less travelled we took advantage of the day of rest to climb again into the bus for the two hour trip to the Sipi falls. Here tributaries of the mighty Nile cascade over the cliff sides of Mount Elgon and disappear into the thick green forests and banana plantations on its slopes. A fascinating trek took us past small settlements of waving children and via some steep and slippery slopes to the falls – where getting up close and personal to the 85 m drop provide a welcome shower for us and a quick wash and rinse for our clothing. The one exception was, of course, our driver Simon who remained immaculate in brogues, tie and super sharp trilby throughout the three hour walk.
Simon – Immaculate as Ever
A fantastic day was rounded off with lunch in a garden overlooking the far away plains, only this time the offering to the circle of life was not a lion cub but the perfect circle of delicious Rolexes (editors note – isn’t it Rolli?).
Did you know of the Sipi Falls? No, neither did we. But we do now and if you want to know about other places, other cultures, how many ways cricket can be played and, most importantly more about yourself…. Well, you know what to do.
Good job done!!