Three months back in Uganda

Leaving the UK

So after 5 months, a second child and thousands of miles up and down the UK, we flew back to Uganda at the beginning of April. Armed with 11 bags, 2 car seats, a buggy and 2 children this was no mean feat but when we landed back 'home' it was all worth it. It was hard saying goodbye, especially to Abby's family, but we had had a great time in the UK and were ready for the next stepping-stone on our long road to Chad.

Our primary focus for our time back here was to learn French. So, since April we have been having lessons everyday which has been hard work and at times completely confusing, but we now feel that we at least have the basic tools we need to try and be able to communicate once we get to Chad.

Alongside the French Sam has been providing some support to the MAF Uganda programme.

One of the great things about being back in Uganda has been seeing life from Rachel's point of view. Before we left Uganda Rachel was still small and just accepted all she saw. We had also been here too long to notice any of the extremely different things that occur constantly around us! Now she is a very vocal two and a half year old and so it has been great to see daily life from her perspective! Here are a few examples...

• Cows blocking the road is not an inconvenience, its the highlight of the day! 

Cows blocking the road!

•  Driving down a dirt road and Rachel announces 'Daddy this car is not very good, the car is a bit too bumpy'
•  Mango's are amazing and she can eat a whole one for lunch (everyday if she had her way!)
•  We were walking through a shopping centre and ahead was a muslim gentleman in his full long white thobe with a long beard. Because of recent alerts and insecurities I immediately gave a wide birth, while Rachel walked passed, stopped, waved and said 'hello man'! To which he smiled and replied with a really lovely greeting to her. It’s great that my innocent two year old can challenge my inbuilt prejudices/ fears! 
•  She is also getting the hang of Kampala traffic...her new saying is 'slowly but surely'!

In order for us to learn French we needed Rachel to be occupied and so she has completed a term at a pre school called Swan Academy. This has been both good and hard for her as she has loved the painting, singing, playing, story telling, trampolining etc. but has found being away from Mummy and Daddy very hard. All part of growing up but not an easy stage! At least now though she has had some time to get used to a pre school set up before being put in a French speaking one! That’s going to be a whole new experience for her (and us!).