Saturday 8th July

Good evening everyone,

So the celebrations continued into the night last night, at an amazing festival on the Nile. Music, drinks and a BBQ were layed out as we spent our last night in Jinja with the amazing Ugandan young leaders who have been a huge part in what has been an incredibly successful week.

We were all looking forward to our well deserved lay-in this morning, a 7:00 wake up supposed to a 6:15 start. This morning we packed our bags and got ready to leave in order to be on the road as soon as we returned from this mornings activity, white water rafting.

Having rafted the Nile before, I knew what was in store as opposed to a majority of the other team. We were briefed in with instructions and information on the route each boat would take. Our team had a hardcore boat which took the grade 5 route, rafted by Tom, Cesca, Rob and Louise, Amelia, Amy and myself. We also had a boat which started on grade 3 and wanted to test the higher rapids which was rafted by Megan, Fiona, Elise and Michelle, Sophie T and Rosie and Ugandan volunteer Martha. And lastly, we had the Loizou raft, which took the grade 3 route and had all 3 teachers aboard. Poor effort. 

The day started well, Robby C got his GoPro all set up on his helmet, got into his raft and pressed record to find he had not turned the plug switch on throughout the night to charge his camera. Luckily, the staff at Adrift Rafting have given us all the videos and pictures from the day so you will all see the action shots of us cruising through the rapids, the beautiful surroundings and a very dry Mr. Loizou.

We stopped halfway through for some lunch on our boats with the other rafters from China, South Africa and America. Pulled pork baguettes which was a massive touch! We are all Rolex'd out!

We completed 4 rapids with the final one being an enormous grade 6. All groups had to get out and walk around half of it due to it being un-raftable. We joined it half way, and the minute we were released from the side, the current swept us away as we were swallowed by the huge waves that came at us. The 2 boats that went on the grade 5 route of the rapid flipped, whilst the other boat survived their route. Tom, Amelia and Cesca flew out of the raft and into the water whilst the rest of us held on as we were chucked through the waves. We all came out at the end, the stragglers returned to their boats as we all cheered with pride and relief. We all finished our raft and we sat with a cold drink overlooking the Nile we had just completed. A very proud moment for all. 

We commuted back to the backpackers, collected our luggage and headed off for Kids of Africa. 4 hours later and we are here. We have just had some dinner, and are getting ready for our first night in our allocated houses where we will spend the next week getting to know our new brothers, sisters and mothers. 

Bring on the 2nd week!

Thanks, 

Christian

Looking forward to seeing you all, family! ❤️🇺🇬

*Photos to follow as soon as wifi is capable!