The first of the two projects takes place at Kilembe Arts and Drama Centre, where the girls will be renovating and decorating the arts centre. The arts centre is used to educate the local community about important issues such as AIDS through the mediums of drama and music. It is currently drab and uninspiring, and it is hoped that the girls will transform it into a colourful and original centre. They will also have the opportunity to perform a drama or dancing piece to the local community about an issue close to their hearts. In return, the founder of the centre, Bongoman, and his group will perform for them.
The second project is at Suubi children’s village in Masaka. The village is part of the Watoto project, where orphans and disadvantaged women live together in supported family units.
This phase is the opportunity to interact with a local community and see a side of Uganda that few visitors have the chance to experience. The majority of the tasks the girls will undertake focus on the construction and maintenance of schools, including creating vegetable gardens, repairing classrooms and developing playgrounds. The time they spend there will have a lasting impact on the community.
Schools in Uganda often struggle to keep pupils coming back to class, especially girls, because of financial pressures on the family. By spending time with the students playing games, teaching lessons and learning about their education system the girls can help to enforce the message that education is important. They will have the opportunity to plan some lessons and games, and even set up some extra curricular activities like a football or netball match.
The final few days will spent in Kampala – some well deserved rest and relaxation!