Uganda Scouts at the World Jamboree in Chile

Chris Wilkinson, a UK Scout Leader in Nottinghamshire and a member of the Uganda Network, arrived in Uganda on the Saturday before Christmas. He rebooked the air tickets with British Airways (meaning a 48 hour journey via Gatwick and 17 hours there on Christmas Day). On Monday he found that one boy did not have a passport, five of them needed yellow fever jabs to be able to leave the country and no-one had visas for the re-scheduled air journey via the UK.

The leadership team of Tom Maxwell Ngobi, Prosscovia Namazzi and Chris worked day and night to resolve their difficulties using powers of pleading, bullying and sheer hard work. Eventually all was in place and they departed at 3pm on Christmas Eve for a 48 hour journey via London to Santiago. This included a 17 hour stop over in Gatwick Airport but because of UK immigration rules the Contingent Members had to remain within the airport. Not a good way to spend Christmas.

British Airways were particularly helpful in accommodating the tired young people and on the outward journey provided them with Christmas Dinner. On the return an anonymous American bought them lunch. He left for his plane without giving his name. An incredible act of generosity.

We are happy that they and the 9 young Scouts made it to the 19th World Scout Jamboree in Santiago, Chile. The Uganda Scouts Association has written to the UK giving their grateful thanks for all the help they received to make their attendance possible.