Pars in Africa
Sunday, 22nd Nov 2015Former Pars captain and Club doctor, Bobby Robertson visited Uganda for first two weeks of November. His trip was full of experiences that he described as "both amazing and humbling".
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Bobby's wife was born in Kampala when her dad worked there and the couple travelled back to Uganda to visit a friend who works in the Infectious Disease Hospital in Kampala working with local young people.
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They were keen to gain some insight into what work went on there and what if anything they might contribute, now and in the future. Bobby told the story:-
"It was a truly humbling experience to see how dedicated the staff were and how incredibly grateful all who received help were. I knew before going that the Unit ran a football team for kids. Mo was brilliant and met me the day before I left with 2 sets of kit for younger and older age groups.
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"The Ugandans are football mad and the volunteers take the kids every Saturday and Sunday for coaching and games. Most have no boots or strips and the balls are old and worn but that makes no difference. The laughter and broad smiles were infectious.
"The football is the draw for the kids and 50-60 turn up each weekend but whilst there , opportunity is taken to encourage them to attend school, discuss health promotions issues and promote good citizenship.
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"I was involved in a coaching session which was organised and disciplined. The standard of skills were in general high but nobody was excluded.
"The kids were so excited when the Pars kit was displayed and all had turns at wearing a strip for a photo. The plan is for them to wear the strips for games as until now they only had bibs.
Think we have some new Pars fans!!
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