Mijas-based philanthropists Alan and Jenny Boardman have set off on their second charitable mission to rural Uganda as part of the hugely successful Eyedrop 2026 campaign, supported by generous donations from the Costa del Sol community.
Following their triumphant first trip earlier in 2025, where they delivered thousands of donated spectacles, pens, pencils, and school supplies to villages and health centres, bringing renewed vision and hope to hundreds of locals, the Boardmans are back on the road. This time, they are transporting more than 1,200 donated pencils, pens, and crayons, along with funds raised for essential school materials and children’s shoes.
Election fever in Uganda
The journey began with few travel hiccups. After 10,000 kilometres and 29 hours of travel, including gate changes and a 40-minute trek through Doha’s impressive airport, the couple landed safely in Entebbe. Uganda is currently buzzing with election fever ahead of a nationwide vote, with posters and bunting everywhere for positions ranging from president and 529 MPs to local councillors.
In Kampala, the Boardmans visited a shoe wholesaler and negotiated a fair price for 200 pairs of children’s school shoes – 100 for boys and 100 for girls – at 3,136,000 Ugandan shillings (approximately €748). Two dedicated staff members carried the heavy load through crowded streets, uneven surfaces, and chaotic traffic for 15 minutes to their car, earning a handsome tip for their efforts.
With additional donations boosting the fund to €1,614, the couple has already spent €748 on the initial shoe purchase. They are now en route on a 12-hour drive to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where they will deliver the shoes to the orphanage school they supported last year. The school, serving 400 pupils including many from one-parent families, has grown massively, and most children have never owned proper school shoes, a subject close to Jenny’s heart, and many still rely on basic plastic ones funded by last year’s campaign.
The Boardmans hope to buy more shoes and provide an exercise book for every pupil, depending on remaining funds and availability. They continue to welcome donations, no matter how small—contact Alan via WhatsApp on +34 610 522 605 for charity account details. All donors receive periodic reports and a list of contributors (initials only).
The Costa del Sol community’s ongoing support is transforming lives in one of Uganda’s most remote areas, and their love is being sprinkled across the country by Alan and Jenny.