Monday 13/06 Gorilla tracking and Rukiga lesson
We (Nicola and Sophie.H) woke up at 4:45am ready for a prompt set off at 5am to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We arrived at 7am and had a safety talk from the guides, and were told about the Gorilla family we would be tracking – ‘Mubare’. Discovered that they were 4 and a half hours away from the starting point. A very tough trek lay ahead of us – straight up mountain, straight down mountain, and very few flat parts. The porters were fantastic; they pushed us, pulled us and carried us keeping us smiling. Such a relief to stumble upon them, took our breath away. At one point only we were following the armed tracker who was leading us, and the others in our group told us to turn around and one of the bigger gorillas was right behind us just casually trotting along. Truly an amazing, magical and exhausting day!!
The remaining volunteers spent the morning settling into the lodge and learning the local language, Rukiga. In the afternoon the volunteers went on a picnic to one of the highest hills in the region where they were able to look over the landscape and see various points of interest.
Tuesday 14/06 Kirima assembly.
The volunteers were introduced to the children and teachers at our flag ship school, Kirima Parents. The school gave a welcome assembly at which the children showed their excitement and the volunteers gained an insight into the environment they would be in for the following five weeks.
In the afternoon the volunteers training continued with learning theory and lesson planning sessions.
Wednesday 15/06 Visit schools
The volunteers were introduced to their school, classes and new colleagues. The volunteers were also informed of the module they would be teaching and introduced to mentors that would be advising the volunteers within the schools.
Following the visit to the schools the volunteers began lesson planning for the following weeks lessons and attended further training sessions hosted by the VU staff.
Alex, one of our volunteers confused the date of her birthday and therefore the evening was spent celebrating her birthday with a few drinks round the camp fire.
Thursday 16/06 Wills real birthday. Lesson planning, micro teaching. Beer pong.
The training continued with micro teaching sessions in which the volunteers presented lessons to their fellows.
This evening there was a real birthday to be celebrated. One of our most experienced volunteers, Will Proudfoot welcomed his 24th year.
Friday 17/06 Football match
The final day of the training week was spent learning more Rukiga, perfecting lesson plans and gaining some top tips from Ugandan teachers.
The afternoon was spent playing football with some of the local schools. This was a great opportunity for our volunteers to get to know the children they would be teaching and to introduce themselves to the local community.
Saturday 18/06 Market, onesies and fancy dress
Following an intense week of training and introductions to schools the volunteers spent the weekend chilling before their first week of teaching. Saturday was spent at the market, where Ugandan food and goods can be bought alongside vintage clothing. The volunteers ceased the opportunity to buy some fancy dress for the birthday celebration of Mr Proudfoot which took place that evening. The volunteers also purchased large roles of material to make personalised onesies (baby grows for adults).
The evening was spent celebrating Wills birthday and the end of a successful training week.
Sunday 19/06 Chilled day and final preps for teaching
Sunday was set aside for volunteers to perfect lesson plans for the week ahead and to chill out before a nerve wracking first day on the job.
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