Open their return to school this term, the team who had led this year’s John Kyrle High School trip to Uganda presented Headteacher, Nigel Griffiths, with a commemorative trophy as a token of appreciation from Kisiki College’s chair of governors.The trophy was thanking everyone in the JKHS community for their support and friendship over the last 25 years. Thomas Moore, one of the teachers who led this year’s group shares his thoughts as a first time visitor to Namutumba below.

A group of 17 pupils and four teachers left John Kyrle High School on July 17th and made the long journey to Kisiki College, Namutumba, Uganda. It was a journey that had been made 23 times before, but had grown immeasurably from the first visit by two pupils in 1994. A lot has changed in Uganda and Kisiki in the quarter century that the friendship has existed between our schools, something that was made abundantly clear from the moment we arrived.

We were greeted with true Ugandan hospitality by the always welcoming head teacher, Irene. We interrupted a cultural festival in which the pupils of Kisiki were reciting poems and performing dances of their home tribes and families. The theme of these performances was friendship, in which Kisiki pupils paid tribute to the link between our schools. In our tour around the school it became obvious that the influence John Kyrle has on Kisiki runs profoundly deep, with buildings named after former teachers and patrons of the link.

 The celebrations continued throughout the week. They played sports, danced and sang with the teachers and pupils. The John Kyrle football team fought back bravely to overcome a two-goal deficit and claim a three-all draw. Notable performances came from Jemma Clarke, Gracie Perry and Jackson Sharp who delighted the crowd with his ‘floss’ celebration. Throughout their time at the school they were welcomed into the homes and classrooms of teachers. James, Hope, Irene, Jennifer and Paul couldn’t have done any more and for that they are truly grateful.

The JKHS group were also privileged to be able to pass on the contributions of the links between the Herefordshire and Namutumba primary schools, and pass on their gratitude for all the hard work those schools have done and assure you that they are greatly appreciated. Some of the best memories they have are of the smiling faces and innocent laughter of those children who danced and sang for us as we arrived, and the faces of the John Kyrle pupils when asked to perform ‘heads, shoulders, knees and toes’.

As well as celebration, they had also travelled to make a difference to the lives of those in Namutumba. One of the more moving events they attended was the distribution of mosquito nets at Namutumba health centre.

Those that received nets were hugely grateful, and we saw the value of all the generous contributions that the pupils of John Kyrle had managed to raise.

Our final day at Kisiki was one of enormous ceremony, in which the entire area of Namutumba was brought to a standstill to celebrate the silver jubilee of our partnership. We marched with the population of the town through the high street, waving and dancing along to the rhythms of the band. Upon our return to the school, Irene revealed a specially commissioned symbol of our friendship; a sculpture of two hands clasped together, one white, one black.

The adventure did not end with Kisiki. Although some of our most profound experiences and memories will forever be associated with Namutumba, we indulged in some awesome encounters with the nature and beauty of Uganda. We rafted down the Nile in Jinja, spending very little time dry, and then made our way up to Murchison National Park. We spent three days living in an untouched Eden, spending the days exploring the park and spotting the cast of the Lion King over two mornings. We spent the afternoons talking and playing on the banks of the Nile and the evenings around the fire and gazing at the stars. We will never forget the sight of the sun rising over the horizon, reflected in the world’s most fabled and iconic river. Reality beckoned and we made the long journey back to Entebbe, and eventually arrived back at John Kyrle High School mid-afternoon on Friday, August 3rd.

 The trip was masterfully led by Nick Wardale and supported by Thomas Moore, Helen Mather and Sophie Harding. Special thanks must be made for the always reliable and excellent Suleiman and Bashir who drove us countless miles around Uganda, and of course for the hospitality of all those who took us in. We were unfortunate that Julie Markey was not able to accompany us, however she was always there in spirit.