By Peter Tabu
The Cricket Cranes – Uganda’s national men cricket team – on Saturday made time for the disadvantaged with a visit to Mulago Hospital.
At the Jeliffe Children’s Ward 16, opening bowler Bilal Hassun led prayers, asking God to heal the tens of children of varying ages some struggling for their lives.
After the prayers, and buoyed by the sad tales from parents and guardians, the players worked with resolve as they thoroughly cleaned and polished not one but five wards.
They also mopped the verandah of the 1945 establishment, swept the compound and wrapped it up by putting smiles on their hosts as they handed over an assortment of play toys, clothes, scholastic materials and home-care items.
Mulago Hospital’s Customer Relations Officer Shaban Ssebuliba thanked the team and wished them luck.
“What you have done is unbelievable. You have comforted us and left us with smiles. The lives of these sick children are going to be even better. Thanks for the love and time given to us. You guys are real Cricket Cranes and I know u will fly. We will follow you and support you from now on,” he said
There was also a moment of selfies at the facility for the Endiro Coffee-sponsored team that flies out to Muscat, Oman today, November 4 for the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League (WCL) Division III campaign.
The primary goal for Uganda will be to finish among the top two nations at the six-team global showpiece involving USA, Singapore, Denmark, Kenya and hosts Oman, if they are to earn promotion to Division II.
More than anything that the Cricket Cranes did, they gave hope to the patients and left a fresh aura of inspiring belief.
It was such a humbling experience.
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