MADAM, Last week we went on a trip to Namutumba, one of Ross' twin towns. The experience of being in Namutumba is hard to describe. The shops spilling all over the place made from wood and corrugated iron mostly, selling everything from coffins and beds to bananas and green oranges. The streets themselves were a maze of alleys and goat tracks, dust hanging in the roads from the mini buses and motorbikes which were everywhere. The main reason for going, however, was to visit Ashfield Park's twin school, Namutumba Primary. Although the schools are twinned there are major differences, for a start one class in Namutumba is not far from half of Ashfield's total pupils. The classrooms themselves are simple rectangles with bare concrete or dirt floors. The roofs were tin, with wooden supports and as a result, speaking from experience once it starts to rain, the noise of the rain makes you have to shout to be heard. I really enjoyed the trip for many reasons one of which was that all the Ugandans we met were really friendly and helpful, especially the children.

Elic Wales Year 6 Ashfield Park Primary School