Day 21

A very hot morning and spirits were high after a great night. On site, work went on at its usual mercurial pace. The school is really taking shape; it’s been a real turnaround in less than three weeks. A lot of the teachers came to see what we were doing and were hugely impressed by what we had achieved. At the end of the day, tired but happy, we put our tools down in the knowledge that we are on the final straight.

Day 22

A cool morning for our breakfast meeting. With four working days left we highlighted all the areas we needed to focus on – one big final push is needed to finish the project. Work progressed well with the team and trainees working with a new determination. The roof was finished today; it really sets off the school. The afternoon grew hot but the work continued apace – another great day’s work with the end in sight. Tonight we are having a meeting to evaluate the project. Hopefully, this can help future projects be even more successful.

Day 23

Thankfully, another cool morning so we cracked on at the same pace as yesterday. Great news! The fire doors and front doors arrived. When they were fitted they gave the block a proper finished look. We took five minutes to stand back and admire our handiwork, our chests swelling with pride. Today, for some reason, a handful of the children popped on site to give us a hand – they really stole our hearts. At the end of the day, with everything packed away, we had a “Shawshank Redemption” moment – two crates of soda where brought on site and the team and the trainees sat and had a drink, clinking bottles and admiring all the hard graft. This weekend is Ugandan independence weekend so there is no work tomorrow. We have no planned trips – just a chill-out weekend to reflect and recharge for the final two days. This week has been marvellous; the amount of effort expended has been extraordinary.

Day 24

Not much to report, a nice quiet day with the team doing different things. Some played golf, some of us went round town – where we bumped into the mayor, who was talking to a group of people as we walked past. He stopped and took time out to bow to us and shake us all by the hand. That shows the impact of the work we are doing here. In the evening, we had a meal and a beer at the guest house – just what the doctor ordered.

Day 25

Again, not much to report – a late breakfast and a quiet day relaxing. With two days left, everyone is in high spirits and looking forward to leaving. It’s been a hard and sometimes gruelling trip but immensely worthwhile.

Day 26

A hot morning and another trip the river for water. Today was a “finishing day,” with lots of bits and bobs getting completed. Unfortunately, the afternoon brought a huge deluge of rain so work was curtailed. We had a football game planned for the afternoon but the weather put paid to it. As we left site, we took a quick look over our shoulders and realised what we had achieved. A quiet evening is planned as tomorrow is a half-day because we have an afternoon celebration with the schoolchildren planned. I don’t think there will be a dry eye in the house!

Day 27

The final working day. Everyone was in a strange mood – happy to be going home but sad to be leaving this beautiful town and immensely proud of what we have achieved in such a short time. Work was hampered by the late delivery of materials. When lunchtime came we walked away from the school and turned to look at our efforts. That was when the realisation of what we had actually achieved hit us. The afternoon was a big celebration of thanks. Schoolchildren and teachers wished us a safe journey home and thanked us repeatedly for our endeavours. With children singing songs of thanks, there wasn’t a dry eye among us. As we left the site for the last time there was a sense of relief, pride and sadness. We went for a soda with the trainees, which was another emotional time as presents and good wishes were plentiful. We have a farewell meal planned tonight, where we can all kick back a bit and reflect on a very, very successful project.  A quick reflection is that eight strangers met 27 days ago and achieved such a lot in a short space of time. We have bonded – with each other, with our trainees and with the people of Uganda. Good work, lads.