Five Valleys carpenter Joseph Lauzier has just returned home after spending several months in Uganda passing his woodworking skills onto other tradesmen and working on several projects. While he was shocked at the spread of HIV and lack of medical care he was inspired by the warmth, courage and determination of those he met. Here he recounts his amazing experience.

FOR me, Africa used to be a large continent in the middle of the world map.

Like most people, I knew of the more prosperous countries - South Africa and Egypt - and I knew there were more on the north west 'bulge'.

And of course I knew of the poorer countries featured in the news - Ethiopia, Sudan, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Uganda is neither one of the richer nor the poorer.

It is somewhere in the middle and for that it is usually overlooked. I admit that despite meticulously planning the carpentry tools I needed for my trip I arrived completely ignorant.

Having grown up with Satellite TV and Sky News I had seen only the worst of Africa, the exploitation, corruption, genocides and other horrific human rights abuses.

It's true that some of these things do go on in Uganda but I got off the plane to see only beauty and strength.

I expected arid, dusty land but found lush greenery everywhere.

Like the rest of the world Uganda's population is increasing.

Ninety percent of the population live off the equivalent of 60p a week. Eight percent are infected with HIV and malaria is rife.

Indeed the only thing Uganda is not, in general, is starving - food is plentiful.

The country produces excellent coffee and tea and almost every household has its own small plot where Kitokye (Chee-toe-chey (a variety of banana)) and other vegetables are grown.

Despite all the problems there is an overall nobility and generosity.

In England you would be hard pushed to find a stranger who would invite you in for a cup of tea and a chat.

Here it's harder to find someone who wouldn't.

Uganda is known as The Pearl of Africa and holds the source of the longest river on Earth.

Most people associate the Nile with Egypt but it originates from Jinja on the north coast of Lake Victoria, which happens to be the third largest lake in the world.

With this and the fact that it is home to half the world's silverback gorillas it is hard to see why tourism is so bad.

Uganda has four seasons - rain, sun, more rain, hotter sun.

I came at the beginning of the rain and it's now the start of the sun. But, despite being on the equator it is not too hot due to the country being high above sea level.

Although I have seen some of the suffering that is so widely broadcast, I will remember more readily the strength shown through it.

I have met a woman who lost her husband and 10 of her 12 children and still finds each new day a blessing.

I have made a friend who barely affords to feed herself since her husband died from HIV.

She lives in fear that she and their son also have the disease but cannot afford to be tested but still gets up every morning to walk two miles to open her shop.

She is always smiling, and her name is quite fittingly Angel.

I will remember the bad things about Uganda but looking back, the good definitely outweighs those negative aspects.

Regardless of how I remember Uganda it is clear that I will remember it. And I will come back.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who supported my trip - without you none of what I have accomplished could have even started.

And thank you for all of your support.