Good to be back...

We’ve had complaints that we didn’t post a blog in July but we saw most of you back in the UK so figured you knew our news- sorry! It was great to be back in England and to see everyone again. It’s amazing how much there is to catch up on after a year and we had a really hectic but fantastic time zooming round the country trying to see as many people as possible and attending 2 weddings of close friends.

Since we’ve been back we’ve had a whole host of challenges, but thankfully being away gave us time to reflect and the energy to keep going. After just a few weeks we felt much happier that most of the problems had been sorted out. We also held a ‘graduation’ for the 3 farm apprentices who are about to move back home to set up their own farms after a years training at Tudabujja. The event went really well with the local community leaders, neighbours and a team from England attending. It’s so amazing to see the boys make so much of their life after they’ve been through so much and we find ourselves feeling like proud parents! The Tuda boys created a play which they performed at their church. Part of it showed the story of boys who ended up on street and went to Tigers. They did a great job- it was powerful to watch them as they showed what had been a reality for them. And also amusing watching ourselves being portrayed!

The team from England were at Tudabujja everyday for a week doing a whole host of different things like craft, games etc – holiday club style stuff. We joined in the fun and it was a great time for us to get to know the 13 new boys who’d arrived while we were away. The following week we had a family of 6 (friends from Christ Church) to stay and 3 others joining them at the end of the week having spent 7 weeks in Yei, Sudan, so we had a few fun weeks with all of them, not to mention lots of English chocolate!! It was also great to see Jen’s cousin Will, especially as he brought lots of Derby County things to boost the boys support!

Jen is especially proud of her garden which has produced loads of cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs (Just don’t ask the Coulter family about the quality of the maize!) She has just planted some pineapples and can’t wait for them to grow! Thankfully she has lots of willing helpers when collecting water and doing all the hard work so most of the credit really belongs to the boys.