NO electricity or running water will become a way of life for a Rednal headteacher who is bound for Uganda this summer.

And despite the inevitable presence of 'creepy crawlies', Di Slater, of Rednal Hill Infant School, could barely contain her excitement as she talked of her forthcoming trip to Africa.

As part of the Global Teachers' Millennium Award scheme, Di will be jetting off to Uganda to work in one of their schools for five weeks.

The country is nestled in between Kenya and the Sudan and, following civil war, has rebuilt itself into a model of relative peace and stability.

Di will be based at the Islamic Primary School in Masindi, a town in the north west of the country. The school has seven classes and 523 pupils.

"There are twenty of us going to Uganda, although we will all be based at different schools," she said.

"The aim of the project is to go into the schools and pass on our ideas from what we have learnt from working in schools in the UK. We will also be learning from them too, it will be very much a two-way process."

To become a Global Teacher, Di had to fill out an application form before being invited to an interview where she was later accepted to take part.

Last weekend she attended a training course where she met with some of the other teachers who are involved with the project. As well as making friends with the other teachers, she also learnt about the town where she will be based.

Masindi town centre is said to resemble an old Asian town. Many of the buildings were erected by Asian businessmen, who arrived to trade in the last century. The Ugandan Asians thrived during the 50s and 60s but were thrown out of the country by its military ruler Idi Amin in the seventies and there are now only three Asian families in the town.

"I will be living with a Ugandan family in traditional surroundings. It is highly unlikely there will be electricity or running water and there will be a lot of creepy crawlies."

Although English is the national language of the country, there are many others spoken, including Swahili, Gandu and various Bandu languages.

"During my training weekend I learnt some of the town's language which is Rnyoro," explained Di.

This is her first trip to Uganda but she visited neighbouring Kenya many years ago, so is well prepared for the heat.

Opportunity

At the weekends she will be given the opportunity to travel around the country and get together with some of her colleagues. While Di will be based in a small town, some of the other teachers will be living in more rural areas.

"I will probably meet the other teachers at the weekends when I am not working and we may be able to see some of the country's sights. However, I may decide to stay with my Ugandan family, as it will be fairly flexible," she added.

After her trip Di plans to share her experiences with the staff and students at the Irwin Avenue school, where she has been head for nine years.

"The children have already been very interested in hearing about my trip to Uganda this summer and I hope to bring back lots of souvenirs to share with them."