I have been instructed by Mr Lowe on behalf of Aberdeen City Council that we must remove the City coat of Arms from the TillyTravellers Blogsite.
Apparently such usage is an offence to the City.

I have removed the offending Coat of Arms but do feel it is only proper to point out that a major purpose of our visit to Uganda was acting as Representatives of the Community of Tillydrone, a part of the City fo Aberdeen and amongst many reasosn for our visit, was to meet with the Mayor of Kamuli Town and seek his agreement, that we be allowed to take steps to enable a possible Twinning Parnership between the Community of Tillydrone, (Whisper it--------- A part of the City of Aberdeen) and Kamuli Town.
As a part of our visit, we conveyed a Letter of Introduction and greeting and also a Gift from from the Lord Provost of Aberdeen City to the Mayor of Kamuli Town, Uganda.

Ross Grant, a member of the Group has done such a lot of work in Twinning Riverbank School Tillydrone,(Aberdeen)and Bezallel School, Kamuli, Uganda.
As a Group we had hoped that this would be the next stage in helping build relationships and a helpful and fruitful partner links between Tillydrone and Kamuli.
I was honoured to be informed by the Mayor of Kamuli speaking at a Function in honour of the visit by the Travellers that "as Rev Jim, I live in Aberdeen, but my home was now Kamuli and I am now an honoury Citizen of the Kamuli Town.
I would have felt that it was appropiate at this juction in time to have something positive to report associated with Aberdeen.
I am extremely proud of what has been successfully achieved by the TillyTravellers group and I wholeheartedly commend them for their achievements and offer my most gracious thanks to everyone in Tillydrone for all the support that has been given to myself and the project over these past years.
I thank Mr Lowe for pointing out my error and not wishing to offend anyone I have accordingly removed the City of Aberdeen Coat of Arms from this offending BLOGSITE.
(Rev) Jim Weir

Thursday 18th February 2010.
Left Kamuli today after lunch with the school governors, teachers and the town Mayor. As with all things, this ran over time. So we did not get into Kampala until late. Made contact about the safari and got our details. We leave at 06:30 hrs. Need bed now.
Kenneth.

Saturday 20th February 2010.
Back into Kampala after many miles traveled, but well worth it. The trip on the Victoria Nile up to the falls was amazing. I never could have imagined so many hippos along the same stretch of water. As for the Murchison Falls, they are spectacular from land or water. We even had some elephants cross the road in front of us. Today we managed to see some lions and more giraffes, one up close. Each day had over 5 hours driving on some of the better Ugandan roads, and more time in the park. Sore rear ends all round.
Kenneth.

16/02/2010

16/02/2010
Its been more than a week and we have been through so much.

We have had extensive dialogue with the staff at Bezallel, some members have made some wonderful contributions to the school including purchasing 120 mosquito nets, and spending over 5 million Ug Sh on textbooks and other teaching materials.

We have also had a very productive meeting with the Mayor of Kamuli Town to discuss the community twinning programme. We had a formal meeting on Monday and will be having an informal lunch with him on Thursday.

Most importantly we have spent lots of time with the kids and I have fallen completely in love with them.
Ross Grant

Tuesday 16 Feb 2010

When we first arrived in Entebbe and I went into my room I was a little shocked at the very basic room and bathroom. I went under my mosquito net I said to myself “what in the world am I doing?!”
Even though it has been a challenge with being away from home, the horrible beasties and NO RUNNING WATER!! Seeing the children at the school made all the bad things disappear as they are amazing, so enthusiastic and friendly. I have a new friend Hannah; she is 4 and has a laugh that is very contagious. There have been very sad moments but the group has bonded so well that we have laughed every day which had made a good balance in things.
I don’t think I have ever been so excited about a fan to keep me cool at night and a cold shower. We haven’t had running water for a few days so my hair has been disgusting and even when washed out of control (I miss my straightners ha ha) so when we have had running water we have been very excited.
Can’t believe how quickly you can get so filthy because of the dust and so tired I have become with the heat but I’m getting used to it now, another reason for being so excited about running water.
It has been cooler today and right now is raining but I don’t think this will last long.
Need to be up early(ish) so away to bed.

Robyn xxx

Monday 15th February 2010.

It has been a busy weekend. Saturday was the school shopping trip to Kampala, with the group leaving the hotel at 07:00. The party I was with on the hire taxi (14 seater mini bus) arrived back at 23:50). However the trip was successful for the school. The results of which was evident today when all the books were catalogued. Sunday was attending the church service, were I was invited to share the word (preach) and then onto Jinja to see the source of the River Nile. While there, those that had travelled from Grampian Fire Service started their journey home. Which they have made ok, as we received a message to let us know that they were back. We also had a good meeting with the Kamuli Town Mayor about the work with the school and possible moves forward.
Kenneth.

Monday 15th Feb. 2010
Hurrah
We finally had showers again today after threatening to move out of the hotel. It was sheer luxury to stand under a shower even if it was cold. I have not had to stand in a basin and wash since I was a child. The stories of how we managed are to become the stuff of legend, but I fear they may remain within the group.
We were in the school this morning again and seen the children receive their new text books. In the afternoon we had a very positive meeting with the Mayor of Kamuli and he is happy to accept and approved our plans for a twinning agreement between Tillydrone and Kamuli.This is exciting news for us.
Des has arrived safe and we were happy to see him safely here.
Bill and Elaine and Carol texted us from Amsterdam and they will be safe home by now.
In a few days time we will begin the move up Kampala and then we will begin to make our way home to Aberdeen. Thanks for looking in and please check again
JIM

Wednesday 10^th February 2010.

Well, after the long flight and drive, we arrived in Kamuli. The next day we visited the school and I was struck by the improvements that have been carried out since I was last here. The classroom are completed and being used, as is the new chicken coup, with 100 chickens providing eggs for the school. The kids are as full of life as always, but since school is in session, we are being swamped with attention. Today we have time with time with the nursery, P1 & P2 to show some DVD’s. The older classes did this yesterday afternoon.

Kenneth.

It has been really hot here and I for one am finding the going tough. It is 10:30 at night sitting in the hotel room. I got in at 9:30 and was hoping to be able to have nice cold shower, They don’t do hot showers in Kamuli, but the water is still off. It was off at 6am this morning and still has to come back on. Try washing, shaving and brushing your teeth with a small bottle of water and to top it all off, I had just soaped my face to shave and the power went off. There I was razor in one hand and torch in the other and a sink with a bottle of water.

It is great to see so many folks again but it is still so hard to see the state of this country. It really is heart breaking to see people living i mud huts right next to the hotel where we are staying. Our hotel; is very basic but what about them?. We are all fine but really tired. Three of our party return home to the UK tomorrow and one member, Des will join arrive and join up with us on Monday. We will try and get some updates done soon

jim

Thursday 11^th February 2010.

It is taking some time to get some internet access, so I am just creating these notes on a document to upload at some later point. Today we visited the HIV self support groups. It was as heart breaking and heart warming as I remembered and expected it to be. The groups still find it hard to continue to support themselves doing hand craft, since there is not a local demand for it and they have problems moving the goods to where they could sell it. The groups were smaller since many of the members of both had to travel to receive their treatment, or they would lose it. However the original group have set up a nursery and primary school to P5 to give those orphans that cannot go to school elsewhere some form of education.

Kenneth.

Friday 12^th February 2010.

Today has been a fairly quiet day, but it started off very warm for me. We picked up the 120 mosquito nets that the folks from the Grampian Fire Service had ordered for the school. I was in the back of the bus and they were packed in all around me. Surrounded by packed nylon netting in an already warm bus, why me? The nets were handed out after there had been a full school assembly. This was the first for the year, so the results for the election of the school prefects was announced, with the kids involved being sworn into office. Head teachers are as bad as Ministers about springing things on you; I was introduced to give the closing prayer of the assembly without any notice. Ah well, it was ok, I did not fluff any words. The rest of the day now is to relax, since our hoists are finding the hot oppressive.

Kenneth.

Ross

Jim has asked us to share pre-trip feelings.

I can say that I immensely excited to be going with 9 others whom have yet to have any experience of Uganda. But there is a part of me that is anxious of what lies ahead.

Having been there in 2008, I know that the experience was so intense and emotionally draining, yet positively life changing. On thinking about how lucky I am to be returning to Uganda and to meet up with friends and other peoples there, I am reminded of the lack of opportunities that people my age living in Uganda are denied. It reminds me of the gross inequalities that exists between peoples from different parts of the world and any feeling of anxiety immediately vanishes because I get the priviledge to meet so many friendly and generous people and see so many wonderful things. When I write a passage on my return, I can assure you that my experiences will shine through in my writings.

Ross

12 days until I leave for Uganda...Am I nervous? You bet I am!!!
I've never been on holiday with out my parents so I have to be responsible for MY OWN Passport and ticket! Putting that aside I'm really excited but still nervous about going at the same time. I can't wait to see the children and meet everyone over there as it will be a new experience and I think change my perspective on things.

I absolutely HATE flying but if I have to fly, I have to fly, I'll probably sleep as I will not be sleeping before I leave Aberdeen so I make sure I am at the airport at 4 am.

February seemed ages away, I thought I had loads of time all I need to do is buy some clothes and start packing and collecting small things for as Jim says the "wi bairns".

I'm looking forward to going with everyone because it will be good to see my primary school teachers again and meet new people. If someone told me last year I'd be going to Uganda with my Primary School head teacher and teacher I had for Primary 1,2 and 3 I'd think they were having a laugh but its good because I know them I just need to remember and not call them Miss Grant or Mrs. Clark ha ha.

I've been told some of the things we are going to do but I still can't really imagine what it will be like.

12 days to go...counting down the days...I can't wait, plus 2 weeks off work and college. Robyn

Two weeks tomorrow and we are off again.
Lots of us are beginning to get the proverbial butterflies in the tummy.
Me: I don't like flying. Cramped up in seat for hours on end is not my thing.
For Richard this is his first time flying. He sure chose a biggie for a first timer. It's not so much the flying part I don't like it's the going up, you know the feeling when you are up there and your stomach is still down on the ground then there is that bit at the other end. You know you are coming down and then there is that thump as the aircraft lands.
I don't mind too much when I am up there other than the space. Who knows perhaps one day one of my Members may win the lottery and buy me a fist class ticket to Entebbe.
Dream on my son::::::::::
This trip has been a long time in the planning and in a two weeks time it will be happening.
I must hold my hand up to a feeling of real mixed emotions about it.
There is the excitement of taking a group to visit and see what life is really like in Uganda for the poorest of the society.
I recall the first time we were visiting. My son said to me "You know dad this will be a real life changing experience for you". LORD: It's me and be honest--------- "I'm too old for a life changing experience" but it really was and I must say not just for me. I see the work that trip has engendered and encouraged in Ross and I must be honest, I am really proud to see the effect it has had on him.
I hope the same thing can happen for Robyn and Richard, and also for all the rest of the folks who are accompanying us.
As I said to one of our Head Teachers the other day, "When you return from this trip and watch those programmes on TV about Poverty in Africa, as others sit and shake their head, You will be able to say------ "I know!"-------- "I have been there and I have seen it!"
IT DOES AFFECT YOU AND IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

I think one of the exciting things about this visit is that we will be accompanied by people who have powerful contacts and will return home and do a lot of good.
Speaking of powerful people I see we are being mentioned again in dispatches at the Scottish Parliament. Nigel Don MSP has laid down a motion commending Saint george's Church and the Good Folks of Tillydrone for their efforts in raising money for a Tractor at Bezallel School, Kamuli, Uganda.
This is the second time we have been commended by the Scottish Parliament and it is really good for Tillydrone to be acknowledged for the support that we as a Community are extending to peoples in Africa. They really have done well and I am so proud of them all.

EXCITED? :::::::: YOU BET I AM!
It's one of those things that begin by being a really good idea at the time but as it gets' closer to the date for travelling to Uganda, it really is mixed emotions.

I am getting too old for all of this. I like to go home at night to Mary and Morag and my own comfortable surroundings, to go to sleep in my own bed. It's time for the old ones like me to step aside and let some of the younger ones do a bit more.
I am excited for the good that can be achieved by what we are doing in Uganda.
I am excited that the folks will come back and share their experience with others and hopefully encourage them to volunteer and travel out for a week or two.
I have already say to Two of them "They will go back again!" and I have no doubt they shall.
It was a good idea at the time and it's still a good idea.
If I keep telling myself that:::::::::: it just may get through to me and I will start to believe it.

Pop in past next week to read some of Richard and Robyns' thoughts as they make their final preps for an adventure of a lifetime.

I can hardly believe how fast things are beginning to move now.
Last week despite all the snow we had our final meet before we start out for Kamuli in Uganda. The next tome we all meet up together will be around 4am on Sunday 7th Feb. at Aberdeen airport to catch our flight to Schiphol, Amsterdam and then our on-ward connection through to Entebbe.
We will be spending the night in Entebbe staying at the Highway Motel. You can find it here http://highwaymotelentebbe.com/. It's basioc and it suits our price range. Watch out for reports from Highway on this Blog.
We had a bit of a fright last week when one of our Group (Ross) was admitted to Hospital with suspected Viral Meningitis. Thank God, he has received the all clear and is fine to travel but was a real scare for us. We would have been real disappointed had Ross been unable to travel as he was one of the Trinity who made the first trip to Kamuli and then up to Kampala.
Another member from that original visit (Kenny) has been dispatched to London to visit the Ugandan High Commission and collect the Entry Visa's.
It saves the hassle of queing when we arrive at Entebbe Airport as it is real slow. Folks in Uganda move and work to African Time. Life goes on just the same and they get there, so why rush around. I often wonder who is right and who is wrong.

All three of us made many friends in Uganda and we are so much looking forward to meeting up with them again.

Sadly for some of the folks we met last time, it will be too late.
We visited with Pastor Fred Naika and his Churches at Kaliro. He ministers to two very special congregations in very special churches. Every Member is HIV.
You would imagine it would be a sad place but nothing could be further from the truth. The greeting we recieved and the love shown to us by everyone in these churches really was immense.
In Uganda you do not go to the Doctor if you suspect you may be HIV.
To be diagnosed means that you are labeled and become gradually ostracised from normal life.
The Church Communities in Kaliro allowed people to find unity and strength in numbers.
As one Young Woman told us "I have this illness but I am still me".
The Church gives her the strength to live as normal a life as is possible. I pray she is there when we return in a few weeks time.
We have a real mixture in the Group. Young and not so young, Staff from Grampian Fire and Rescue, A Head Teacher and a Deputy Head Teacher from our local school and Church Members.
It should be an interesting experience for all of us.
Keep popping in to follow and share with the group as they set out for Uganda and the Trip of a Lifetime.