Housing trust workers honoured by Ugandan MPs

Housing trust workers from Chester & District Housing Trust and Halton Housing Trust that are renovating two schools in Uganda, became guests of honour for Ugandan dignitaries wanting to thank them for their efforts.

The workers met two Ugandan MPs as well as the mayor, police chief and head of the local church at the ceremony in Fort Portal.

The civic dignitaries were showing their appreciation for the re-building that has already been undertaken by the team. To date, they have endured torrential downpours, extreme temperatures and suffered from a shortage of supplies. Despite this they have made huge progress in the refurbishment of the schools.

Kevin Bean, CDHT joiner from Frodsham, aged 43, said:

“The mayor gave a very warm speech, thanking all of us. It was then time to reciprocate and Colin Knox of Halton and I spoke on behalf of the team. It wasn’t nerve-wracking at all and both speeches went down well.”

Kevin, who flew to Uganda with CDHT plasterer Phil Speed, aged 48, of Wrexham, added:

“We all know what we can achieve with this group, it is so focused. The feeling of determination is very strong. We want to leave having made a significant difference.”

The team was carrying out building work on St Peter’s and St Paul’s primary schools which had been started by colleagues on a previous trip in February. The schools were destroyed by an earthquake in 1994.

They were joined by two workers from the North West Training Council, three from Halton Housing Trust and a retired policeman.

They are due to return home next week when a second team of workers from the two housing organisations, plus staff from construction company Seddon, will fly out to continue the work.