“It’s gone so quickly but it feels like we’ve been here a lifetime.” A sentiment all seven members agree on after a week under a Ugandan heatwave which even the locals are complaining about. There’s been plenty of other agreement too this week; we and 3300 children agree cricket is fun; those same children agree it’s a game for everyone; and they agree that boys and girls can play the game together. Indeed the lesson that everything’s better together and teamwork is vital has been demonstrated again and again in every game of rapid-fire, cross-fire, pairs cricket and speed catching. Perhaps “head, shoulders, ball” relies on individual talent (and competitive instinct) but the laughter and excitement is well and truly shared.
We’ve agreed that we are lucky to have Joseph as our driver, a gentleman who having had to drop everything to care for his younger siblings at age 15 shows that you don’t need formal education to gain wisdom. We agree he must be a fully paid up member of the African drivers’ guild which does not permit its members to leave clients with more than a ten yard walk to their destination. We agree we are humbled when he shows us the house he has built over a lifetime – a toilet recently installed at the expense of celebrating Christmas.
We agree that Rolex is the king of lunchtime takeaways and Matoke (banana mash) the perfect accompaniment to any evening meal.
We agree it’s staggering the sheer number of schools in any city town or village. No headteacher has declared less than one and half thousand pupils, nor more than 20 staff. We agree Uganda is a young country, with much to look forward to.
What we haven’t agreed on is our favourite session so far. Well there are twenty variations to pick from. You can’t choose a favourite based on noise level, number of smiles, volume of chanting or the vivid colours of the school uniforms (a rainbow of blues and purples and reds – and a natty check number with printed tie). They’re now a given. I argue the case for the reception aged poppets passing tennis balls to each other around their backs and under their legs; I’m countered with the girls at secondary school, gradually realising that they could all chase and catch and throw the ball when fielding. Ah, but what about the boys who spotted us over their shoulders and decided playing cricket was better than watching football …. and now want us to come back tomorrow for more. How about taking a detour to umpire an international women’s tournament in Entebbe? Well it’s a difficult choice in a week which has been marked by variety, each session adapted and changed depending in numbers, age, location and previously experience. There’s only one rule…… everyone gets included. If you believe cricket can be more than just a pastime – well just don’t hesitate to get yourself included.
Keep up the good work!