Carlee and Joel here.
We started out our day watching the sunrise over Kampala, followed by breakfast, before loading our bags onto the bus and setting off for Gulu, Uganda! We played many games on the way, stopped for snacks at a gas station, and crossed the Nile River! Before, during, and after crossing the Nile, we encountered some new friends (Baboons: picture below!). This is our first encounter with wildlife on the trip! The water was moving so fast, and there were many rapids; genuinely fantastic.
At the end of our six-and-a-half-hour bus ride, we finally arrived at the Sports Outreach facility in Gulu. We were welcomed with cultural chants and emphatic hugs. We were told these gestures are the most significant way to be welcomed in Gulu. After getting settled in our rooms, we had a snack. Waiting for us was an array of fresh fruits. For many of us, this was our first time trying passion fruit! It was delicious!!!! We then took about an hour’s break before joining the children in a workout and a very competitive soccer match. A few of the young ladies played volleyball with us as well. Although most of us still need to improve at soccer, we tried our best to contribute and had a blast. To end our games, we got the opportunity to introduce ourselves to the group. Shomari then closed with a prayer for both the SEED team and the children of Sports Outreach. To end our night, we gathered again for a traditional Ugandan dinner and debriefed the day as a group.
We are so thankful to be welcomed in Gulu with open arms, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of our trip has in store!!!
