Recently, 23 John Kyrle High School students and staff took part in the 17th Uganda visit, an epic journey that began on July 12th and concluded on August 1st. The group comprised 18 students who were in the blissful gulf between year 13 and university and five staff linked with the school.

After having endured the coach journey to Heathrow followed by a long overnight flight to Entebbe airport in Uganda people were feeling somewhat less than sprightly when they boarded their minibus, or matatu as it is locally known. They then began the long journey to Jinja, a major commercial centre of the country which still bears the hallmarks of the Indian community which gave it its economic prowess before it was ousted by Idi Amin.

They then travelled to link school Kisiki College in Namatumba for one of the most memorable portions of the trip. They were kindly welcomed and over the course of their stay were kept very busy indeed. They visited various local primary schools in order to distribute gifts from their linked schools in the Ross area. They participated in numerous 'question and answer' sessions with pupils in which questions on all manner of subjects were asked and visited the homes and families of students. Some members assisted in the construction of the new technology block whilst others painted a mural, participated in a textile making session or learnt to prepare food in the traditional way.