Helen Barnett’s visit to Uganda

Helen Barnett visited Tigers Club, RETRAK’s project in Uganda during September 2007, along with a team from Holy Trinity Church, Bradley Stoke, Bristol. Here is her report.
“As the oldest member of the team (60 years) I left feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension.  Any fears I had were quickly dispelled when I arrived at the Tigers Clubhouse. I couldn’t have imagined a warmer welcome from the boys and the staff we were treated like celebrities.

One of the jobs I enjoy is decorating, with others and the help of some of the boys we painted most of the rooms in the Tiger’s Hostel. It was hard work, great fun, very messy and not all the paint ended up on the walls!  

Another of my days included a resettlement visit, seeing a young boy who arrived at the Tiger’s Club House very ill with Glandular Fever.  Following medical help he is now living with his father and attending school. I also saw apprentice mechanics at work and boys learning carpentry and bricklaying. This showed me that the project really works, and that the dedicated staff who work long hours should be very proud of what they do.

In contrast, as I walked through raw sewage, I saw in the slum areas, great poverty and need, disease was rife and there was a real hopelessness about the people. Nothing could have prepared me for what I experienced and the sites and smells cannot easily be conveyed in words.  There were mothers asking for help, their children with horrendous sores and growths.

This left me tearful, feeling emotionally drained and helpless, but reminded me again of the Tiger’s Club work, they can’t possibly help all the people in the slums, but can make a difference to a few street boys lives.  One thing which was so evident to me was the strong, living faith of the people, so thankful and grateful, for so little.

The second week, I helped with a holiday club for the boys at Tudabujja, the Tiger’s Club half-way home. With another amazingly warm welcome, we enjoyed Bible studies, games, craft and sports. This gave me an opportunity to spend a longer time getting to know some of the boys. It was a joy and a privilege.

I felt the prayers from home, love and friendship from those I met and God’s protection, especially when I played in a football match and rode on a Boda Boda! I will never forget the time I spent in Kampala, and am grateful for the impact it has had on my life.  And in the future - watch this space!!”