Many of our supporters are well aware of our gap year scheme in which two recent Haileybury leavers volunteer to go to Uganda for 6 months each year. Perhaps lesser-known are their Ugandan counterparts. In each village we work in, we take on two young and enthusiastic school leavers to work closely with our team, the trainees and our UK gap-students. 
Our trainee team bonding over some volley ball in Kizzigo. 2011 gap year student Richard can be seen in the pink top, volley ball 'pro' Fredo (Snr. Trainer) in front and the newly completed Haileybury Lower School funded kitchen beyond.
James and Winfred (Winni to her friends) of Kasokoso were the first young Ugandans to take part in our gap year scheme. They set the bar high in terms of their hard work, enthusiasm and unrelenting cheerfulness. Winni developed her strong creative skills and was able to overcome local gender-based stereotypes by making blocks alongside the boys and men. James has used his new ISSB skills to keep himself employed to date. He has even been able to earn enough money to support himself at university in September. Both formed great friendships with Tom Hicks and Marianne Kennedy, last years UK Gappies.
Richard Segobi
Richard is 18 years old. He lives with his 4 sisters, 2 brothers and parents in the next village to Kizigo. Ever the joker he often helps to keep the team in high spirits when work is tough. He left Kizigo Secondary School in 2010 and says he wanted join HYT because he "was interested in the new technology and wanted to use it to help his friends and family once training was complete."
Richard using his newly acquired plastering skills.
"My duties together with Annette are to make the English gap students feel happy and welcome" says Richard. "Together we run the ISSB club when we are not helping the trainees with building work".
"Working with HYT has taught me many new skills and helped me to make some English friends."
In the evening Richard walks nearly 5 miles to his home and likes to help his father look after the cows. Whenever their is time he loves to play volley ball with the team and even enjoys kick-boxing! We hope he will continue to be a strong player in the HYT family.
Ndibalekera Annette
Annette is 20 years old and a very caring and positive young lady. Unlike Richard, Annette lives in Kizigo itself and as such has an easy walk to the schools in which the trainees are working. Annette comes from a large family of 3 brothers and 5 sisters, one of which is in Senior 6 at Kizigo S.S. Annette wanted to join HYT because she wanted to broaden her horizons for future employment in order to keep her options open.
Alex, Annette, James and Richard working hard in Kizigo
"HYT has taught me about the importance of looking after our environment. I have also learned a lot about Europe although I have not yet been there."
During her free time Annette loves to read and cook. She is also an intellectual person and hopes to use the money she earns through ISSB to help her go to university next year.
Annette with Philip (Senior Trainer) learning how to teach others in masonry skills.
