Let the Sonshine in...Todd Payten is surrounded by children at Sonshine Boarding School in Rwanda. Picture: Gregg Porteous. / The Daily Telegraph

Justin Poore from the St.George Illawarra Dragons with the kids Picture: Gregg Porteous. / The Daily Telegraph

NRL stars helping to buid a community Justin Poore from the St.George Illawarra Dragons with the kids Picture: Gregg Porteous. / The Daily Telegraph

In Australia, the kids can be stand-offish and disinterested.

In Rwanda, they form a human archipelago where each island is a player ringed by hundreds of curious fingers.

In Australia, the players are household names. In Rwanda, they are mistaken for famous wrestlers, Rambo or rappers.

Several hours after farewelling 500 primary students at the Sonshine Boarding School in the country's far north-west, Dragons prop Justin Poore still can't believe what he has just experienced.

"That was probably the most amazing thing I've ever done in my life," Poore says. "Nothing compares to meeting those kids today. I've never seen so many people so happy to see me."

Related Links * Gallery: NRL stars on tour in Rwanda

The rule with children in Rwanda is this: smile and they are guaranteed to smile back. Especially when five huge white male strangers appear in their playground.

A joyous assault was launched square at Nathan Hindmarsh, who was holding a new soccer ball he purchased that morning.

It proved to be the best 6500 Rwandan francs (A$15) he will ever spend. Suddenly the bundles of plastic bags that normally substitute for expensive real balls were forgotten.

Sandalled feet ran from all directions to touch the genuine article. Hindmarsh immediately gave up the prize, and over the next hour it darted in and out of dozens of personal moments that left each player in awe.

"I had this one kid who just wouldn't let go of my arm - wherever I went he just wouldn't let go of it," said Hindmarsh, whose biceps and shaggy hair convinced many that Rambo was in town.

Todd Carney's right arm knew the feeling, multiplied several times over. The extensive tattoo that runs from shoulder to wrist had the children mesmerised to such an extent they licked their fingers and tried to clean it off.

"They kept wanting to know what it was," Carney said. "Every kid was touching it and after a while they started lifting up my shirt to see if I had any others. A couple of kids were actually convinced that I was the famous tattooed wrestler John Cena.

"It was difficult when we had to go and they started asking when we'd come back. I found it hard to answer, so I just said we'd come back another day."

Constant requests for email contact came as shock, given the humble set-up does not suggest computer classes are part of the syllabus. But there are actually three machines, paid for by sponsorships. The same money also funds every child's board here, as more than three-quarters of the student body are orphans.

Poore discovered this first-hand when he approached a 14-year-old boy midway through the visit. "I spotted him looking a bit lonely and went over to say hello and ask a couple of questions.

"I asked about his parents, and he told me they were murdered in the genocide along with all his brothers and sisters.

"He was the only kid that survived from the family. He was quite open about it. He said he was sad about losing them, but was happy just to go to school.

"Later, he came up and asked if I would be his friend. It took my breath away."

Former Canberra Grand Final hero Paul Osborne has organised a charity mission called the Village of Hope, helping to build infrastructure in the tiny village that was set up by Australian missionaries to accommodate widows left behind after the 1994 genocide.

Rwanda is challenging the players - Nathan Hindmarsh, Todd Carney, Justin Poore, Jarryd Hickey, Todd Payten and Jared Waera-Hargreaves - every day.

Palm Beach Currumbin SHS with the Arrive alive Cup ( Photo's : ourfooty media )

Matraville held out a determined PBC attack on their line with PBC having 3 sets to attack, Matraville held them out for the turn around.

Some very quick play the balls we was Matraville gain 80 meters when an Adam Reynolds chip kick was caught by Jordan Rankin who had the ball stripped in a one - on - one tackle, Matraville spread the ball and Matraville 5/eight Jerome Leolahi dive over close to the posts.

Matraville Sports hit straight back again from the PBC kick with Australian Scholboys Dominic Walsh creating plenty of meters and causing havoc amound the PBC defenders.

Banyo is undefeated on 8 points in Northside 1, after they beat Mitchelton 22-14. Valleys Juniors and Deception Bay Bombers are on 7 points after Valleys had the bye and Deception Bay beat Dayboro 36-24.

Pine Rivers are in fourth place on 6 points after beating Aspley 34-6. In the other matches, Sandgate Brighton beat Nundah Devils 22-16 to be on 5 points, while Normanby beat Samford 27-16.

Easts Juniors are the undefeated leaders on 8 points in Southside 1 after beating Carina 42-8. Logan Brothers beat Wynnum Manly Juniors 20-8 to be in second place on 6 points.

Redlands beat Sunnybank 28-12 for Redlands, Carina and Sunnybank all to be on 2 points.

In Northside 2, Deception Bay Juniors and Valleys Juniors share the lead, on 8 points, after Deception Bay beat Pine Central 56-26 and Valleys beat Mitchelton 40-14.

Arana Hills beat Burpengary 26-16 to be on 6 points. Pine Central, Mitchelton, Banyo and Northside Natives are all on 4 points after Banyo beat Aspley 38-30 and Natives beat Kallangur 32-24.

St Brendans lead the Southside 2 competition on 8 points after beating Wests Inala 24-12. Centenary St Josephs beat Logan Brothers 34-24 to be on 7 points, with Inala on 6 points.

Slacks Creek, Logan Brothers and Mt Gravatt are all on 4 points, after Slacks Creek beat Carina 34-6 and Mt Gravatt beat Beenleigh Juniors 34-22. Redlands had the bye.