Hello from Uganda, Friend,

The joy I experienced on Wednesday with 70 Mustard Seed students (and six teachers) on a field trip to Lake Mburo National Park was something I want to share with you. Pictured here are a few of the Senior-5s, but the Primary-6s were equally enthralled. The boat trip was a highlight, but the game drives were amazing as well. Giraffes were so close to our buses that it seemed like we could reach out and touch them. Zebras were nearly that close, also.

What made this trip special was the mentorship between our 18-year-old S-5 students and their 12-year-old P-6 partners. Armed with field notebooks and pencils, they diligently recorded observations of hippos, crocodiles, monkeys, and countless birds during our two-hour boat tour. The ranger guides were impressed by their attentiveness and curiosity as they checked off each animal and plant from their prepared lists. Your support made this rare experience possible.

Having led several field trips to Lake Mburo over the years, I can truly say this was the best one yet. The combination of eager mentorship, exceptional wildlife sightings, and the students' exemplary behavior made it extraordinary. Many had never ventured beyond their communities before, so this was a completely new world for them. Their faces at 7 a.m. (pictured below) tell the story of anticipation, and their gratitude throughout the day was palpable. Thank you for helping create this day of discovery and wonder for all of us.

Joyfully,

Elaine