tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26030738063923079722024-03-13T04:32:43.288-07:00Project Malawi 2016Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-63692894295404051272016-07-12T10:11:00.000-07:002016-07-14T00:27:47.035-07:00Final Thoughts and Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Final Thoughts and Reflections by Colin<br />
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It's with mixed emotions that I write this final blog. In one respect I am so happy that the project has been successful but I was also sad to leave such a wonderful country and leave so many new but dear friends.<br />
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One thing I am sure of - I cannot be more proud of the team. Words cannot express or give justice to how the team behaved during the past two weeks. It would be easy to say that they went to Malawi as boys and came back men but that doesn't really give justice to the maturity, pro-activeness, compassion and sheer guts that the team displayed. What they achieved was remarkable and was without protest. We completed 10 classrooms in 5 days. We completely transformed these classrooms that will, in turn, be used to transform lives. We ensured that the other 6 classrooms (and 2 storerooms) will be completed to the same high standard before the start of next term. But all these things were just one facet to the project.<br />
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The boys transformed themselves in front of our eyes and required little direction or guidance to do so. They took everything in their stride which included absolute poverty and unfamiliar and difficult environments. There were two main highlights to my days that I would like to mention. The first is the interactions that the team would have with the boys and girls who were brave enough to come up to us and ask questions (mainly "What is your name?"). They made connections in their own inimitable way that included songs, chants, thumbs-up and dancing. It was delightful to listen to and definitely made the monotony of the relentless painting far more bearable.<br />
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The second highlight was our 'circle time' chats in the evening. I have never before heard such mature opinions and contributions made by a group of teenage boys. We designed these meetings to check-in on their emotional state but we ended up learning so much from the boys.<br />
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So I am a very proud man to have been part of this team. I am honoured to have worked with all of these boys and I know that these boys will take these experiences and use them to advance their true Christian manliness.<br />
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Time will tell what the legacy of Project Malawi will be. We can easily jump on a plane and fly home to our comfortable homes, well-stocked fridges, wifi and hot showers. We now have connections with friends who cannot do that. So I hope we, in Dunblane BB, continue down the route that Project Malawi has started: not just for the benefit of the hundreds of kids who will benefit from the renovated classrooms but also for our boys who gain so much from the experience. If you haven't had a chance to view the opinions of the boys then please click on this link and listen to what they have to say - <a href="https://youtu.be/vqOQOGvALiA">https://youtu.be/vqOQOGvALiA</a><br />
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Some thanks - thanks to all who have supported and sponsored us over the past year. Thanks to all who have followed our blogs and have shared our stories. Finally, huge thanks to my fellow leaders - Paul, Vanda, Fraser, Ian and Fiona. It was a voyage into the unknown that involved a huge responsibility and a lot of 'going with the flow' but we did it so well. It was a great team effort and without your help it would not have been possible.<br />
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Look out for details of presentations that the boys will be doing - I can assure you that they will be fascinating - and also look out on facebook for final photographs of all 16 classrooms.<br />
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Thanks - Colin<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-67769898303513884532016-07-12T07:28:00.004-07:002016-07-12T07:28:45.925-07:00All Good Things Must Come to an End<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">All Good Things Must Come to an End by Alex C</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The last day at Mvuu camp was started with
a full group drive around the park. The main part of our trip was occupied by a
crocodile being intimidated by 4 hippos and many more hippos in the water. We
spent around 15 mins watching our encounter and we were all eager to see the
next stages. It was a great experience that many of us will not see again. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This
amazing experience was later followed by lunch which consisted of hake and spinach
and lemon pasta. It was a great morning and we were all looking forward to
meeting up with Chacko and Andrew. The boat journey was short lived as Chacko
and Andrew were waving us over. We soon made it to the other side which was a
sad moment this was because we were leaving all the animals and hot showers
behind. The start was soon delayed as Neils forgot his headphones but this was
not an issue as we had loads of things to talk about to Andrew and Chacko. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">During the drive we stopped off at a larger more intimidating carvers. Here it
was larger, louder, more intimidating but thankfully cheaper. It found many new
items that may be one of your presents soon. Euan bought a large photo of an
elephant, it was very similar to the one that chassed the bus near the watering
hole. We got to the Grace Bandawe centre where we were staying our last night
and quickly turned around to go to dinner. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mr Boyd had hooked up with a BB
company in Blantyre and we got a chance to speak with the boys. It was great to
see how different and how similar their BB company was. They have only been
going for just over a year so were looking for loads of ideas. The came in
wearing BB hats that they had actually made. We are hoping that we will be able
to send over some resources to them so that they can have some more parts of
their uniform. We got into the restaurant just as Andy Murray played his last
point at Wimbledon. The rest of the guests of the restaurant must have wondered
what was going on with all the commotion. Some of us stayed in the restaurant and
some went hope to get bags packed for departure day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The next day we had a good breakfast and
then got our bags all packing into the trailer. We then presented Andrew and
Chacko with some gifts including kilts and Project Malawi T Shirts. They were
brilliant and really looked after us. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We then stopped off at shop rite to buy
some goodies for the flight and spend our last Kwatcha. When we arrived at the
airport we waved Chacko and Andrew off and then went to security was just
inside the small room. Once everyone passed security we had to check in which
was a lot harder than it seemed. It took us around 1hrs and 30 mins which was
only 30 mins before our plane took off. Most of us got patted down in the
airport but we were all clear. The Malawi to Jo’burg flight was only 2 hrs long
which was very short compared to our flight to Heathrow. Now we are all in Heathrow
airport sitting, waiting to board or flight hoping that we will see all the
mums and dads very soon. It’s been a great adventure.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-77471421881164262912016-07-11T09:15:00.001-07:002016-07-11T09:15:20.689-07:00All Creatures Great and Small<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">All Creatures Great and Small by Louise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">There was great excitement for most of us
at 3.30 as a bunch of elephants decided to come down by our chalets to eat the
leaves of the trees down there. It was quite scary but really interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">At 5:45 a group of our team went out on a
walking safari, they learned all about different bird’s plants footprints and
POO! We all came together for breakfast at 7:00. We got to choose between a
fried or scrambled egg or an omelet with cheese, tomato and onion alongside
sausage and bacon – it was yummy. We also had a muffin although some of Mr.
Boyd’s muffin was pinched by a cheeky monkey who quickly ran away to eat it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">After breakfast we got into two jeeps and
our guides took us on a safari. We went down a little hill and we asked if we
would see any rhinos today. The men said that they were in a special enclosure
and that it would cost an extra $5 to go and see them although there was no
guarantee that we would actually see them as the enclosure was 10 square kilometers
and there were only 10 rhinos. We all decided to go into the enclosure but
although we didn’t see any rhinos, it was a brilliant experience. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> We saw a lot of different animals including
warthogs and impalas. We also had a seat on the bonnet on the jeep and one
person got to sit on it so Callum Murray, Calum Couper, Bjorn and Gavin got to
go on the front of my jeep. We were driving for a wee bit and we saw 3 baboons -
they were great. Then we kept driving and saw 2 zebras but they were hiding
behind a really twiggy bush so they were hard to see. After that we were
driving for a good 20 minutes when we saw nothing. It was pretty boring but
then we went round a corner and saw a watering hole. We saw an elephant walking
down the road. Then another one came out then another one and another one until
there was 15 elephants of all shapes and sizes drinking around this watering
hole only a few meters away from our jeep. It was very satisfying to watch the
mummy elephant’s sook up the water and then pour it on their babies. After a
wee drink, they were all marching out in time with one another in single file
it was amazing how in time they were. After seeing the elephants, we finished
the safari. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">When we got back to mvuu camp we had lunch
it was quiche and other bits and bobs it was very nice. The monkeys actually stayed
back for this meal. After lunch we had a bit of chill time - some of us were sunbathing
some were chilling inside and some were reading <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Next on our timetable was a boat safari we
got into 2 boats but we went in the same direction we saw this really pretty
bird called a malicate kingfisher it was luminous orange and blue I loved it
then we saw a MASSIVE crocodile just sunbathing and we saw a lot of hippos and
we learned that hippos can’t swim they just float. We saw more crocs, loads of
crocodiles and loads of different birds. We had to head back as Ben was
desperate for a wee and didn’t fancy stopping on a bank in case the crocs got
him. Obviously we were very sympathetic as it was clear he was suffering a bit.
Just to help him, we started singing “Let It Go”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bM64eVLr1FI/V4PFn4GF-nI/AAAAAAAAAIg/UC6dGdpY3uAT5P0OmKuw9gPJE2rtD9YswCKgB/s1600/P1140764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bM64eVLr1FI/V4PFn4GF-nI/AAAAAAAAAIg/UC6dGdpY3uAT5P0OmKuw9gPJE2rtD9YswCKgB/s320/P1140764.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Before dinner we were escorted down to the
bonfire and we were treated to some traditional dancing and drumming. It was
really interesting and a bit weird. Dinner was traditional Malawi fayre – rice and
chicken with more nseema and loads of other stuff. For circle time tonight we
all lit a candle and said how Malawi had changed us. We placed all the candles
in a saltire – it was really nice. Then it was time to be escorted to our
chalets for bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-5076848979698479492016-07-11T07:54:00.001-07:002016-07-11T07:54:19.951-07:00Hot Water Trumps Wi Fi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-morqQaHvP3o/V4OyT1hPVxI/AAAAAAAAAGw/sxrJI8wtWN8IND9tmkA4FyJe-byGBTw0gCLcB/s1600/P1140558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-morqQaHvP3o/V4OyT1hPVxI/AAAAAAAAAGw/sxrJI8wtWN8IND9tmkA4FyJe-byGBTw0gCLcB/s320/P1140558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Hot Water trumps Wi Fi by Calum and Euan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Today we left the Likhubula area after a
wonderful and inspiring time working on the classrooms in both Nansato and Pasani.
We started off by getting the rest of our luggage on the buses and sitting down
for our last breakfast at Likhubula house, but before that happened couple of
us made a final trip down to the carvers to get some cracking deals and the
trek back up was an absolute mission especially at half past six in the morning
still in our pajamas. It was a mad rush to get all the beds striped and getting
breakfast before leaving at half past seven. It was our last time having to put
up with that bumpy road to Pasani which some of us will probably not remember
because they were half asleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Boo7rhetfY/V4OyWTg2fZI/AAAAAAAAAG8/Yl_n4uJuStcMANlsMpzgvNI-X6hoXEeHACKgB/s1600/P1140567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Boo7rhetfY/V4OyWTg2fZI/AAAAAAAAAG8/Yl_n4uJuStcMANlsMpzgvNI-X6hoXEeHACKgB/s320/P1140567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We got to Pasani and the kids were still as
excited to see us as the first day we arrived at the school a week and a half
ago. It was amazing when we saw some of the kids using the classrooms so we
decide to go sit down with them and do one last ‘If your happy and you know it’.
We still got the same response after doing it several times. All the people
that worked at Pasani got a photo with the head builder and his wife and then
we gave him some of our clothes for the builders to share between them. It was
a very sad and emotional goodbye for most of us especially when we made
connections with some individuals. It felt like we were leaving good friends
behind to fend for themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Then we headed back towards Blantyre to
begin our journey to Mvuu camp with a few stops along the way. With music
playing and many falling asleep after the tough week or so we made our way
through the many villages buzzing with people going about their daily business
in the markets or working in the fields with many carrying crazy things either
on their heads or the back of their bikes. We got to the hostel in Blantyre
that we are staying in on the last night to drop of the two trailers filled
with our big luggage so that we could drive that wee bit faster and also make
it easier to travel along some of the bumper roads later on. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qugBxoaoK-g/V4OyW59geXI/AAAAAAAAAHE/J9BQFTsPcP0KHaAVADqnVZ3cxMg6SNAKQCKgB/s1600/P1140577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qugBxoaoK-g/V4OyW59geXI/AAAAAAAAAHE/J9BQFTsPcP0KHaAVADqnVZ3cxMg6SNAKQCKgB/s320/P1140577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">After the quick
stop we again got on the road and headed to another school where the Andersons
knows the headmaster. Here we had a nice lunch in the headteacher’s front room
(24 of us crammed into a wee space) before seeing what their school looked like
and the state that it was in. It felt weird to go there and have lunch and also
to play another game of football but not to help out with the classrooms. There
were a lot of classrooms where the floors were full of potholes and the windows
were all the rubbish concrete ones that make the classroom dark. It made us
remember how horrible our classrooms were and reminded us of what a difference
we made to Nansato and Pasani. During lunch, we were asking the Headteacher
about the Play Pump that was at the entrance to the school. He said that the
pump has been broken for a long time so all the water that the school uses has
to be carried in from a fair distance. This includes all the water required for
the Mary’s Meals kitchen. The Headteacher said that it was only going to cost
£135 to fix so it was a no-brainer for us all to have a whip round so they
could get the pump fixed. Mr Anderson presented the Headteacher with the money
later on so that everyone knew what the money was for. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WE8dlkN5-8/V4OyUTwChmI/AAAAAAAAAG4/ID5BCuPMlH4-aDz2r7mDyHNqSZVci6TUwCKgB/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WE8dlkN5-8/V4OyUTwChmI/AAAAAAAAAG4/ID5BCuPMlH4-aDz2r7mDyHNqSZVci6TUwCKgB/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We then had our third
and final game of football. The game today was very difficult as we were all
tired and the pitch was on a slope so we had to run up hill half the time.
Again we played well but suffered a two nil defeat making our playing record
Won 0, Drew 1, Lost 2. We then headed back to the buses and headed along the
road to Mvuu camp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MHb5PUfW9A/V4OyRKHqyeI/AAAAAAAAAGk/AYIsJp9cGbwoALO1-tbLa3ZGGtR6jSilgCKgB/s1600/DSCN1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MHb5PUfW9A/V4OyRKHqyeI/AAAAAAAAAGk/AYIsJp9cGbwoALO1-tbLa3ZGGtR6jSilgCKgB/s320/DSCN1050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Again we were going through many villages
and even past a train track before we seen the sign for Mvoo camp with only
16km to go but this is when we experienced the worst road all trip as it was a
dirt track that was so bumpy that most of the times we were not even on our
seat and trying to hold onto some of wood carvings and luggage was also very
challenging. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFGY-lAtRDw/V4OyW6viMbI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/6BKdPJCrSXsMkr6OP3-6IovAABdx4nH_gCKgB/s1600/P1140571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFGY-lAtRDw/V4OyW6viMbI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/6BKdPJCrSXsMkr6OP3-6IovAABdx4nH_gCKgB/s320/P1140571.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We opened the windows so we were able to say hello to locals and
all they said was ‘bottle’ it was like they had been taught to say that instead
of hello. We got to the gates of Mvuu camp and when we got through we saw our
first animal which was a baboon it was so cool!!! We got to the end of the road
and had to get out the mini buses, we also had to say goodbye to Chako and
Andrew who were buzzing to get away from us for a couple of nights and we were
all emotional. Calum was absolutely crapping it coming across on the boat as we
were just informed that the water we were crossing was full of crocodiles and
if you fell in you had 15 seconds before you were a meal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-svkbPdY4DSQ/V4OyUbnBp3I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/DhMODJYAnIoefiFAeQPFPshZW9UZZUoKACKgB/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-svkbPdY4DSQ/V4OyUbnBp3I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/DhMODJYAnIoefiFAeQPFPshZW9UZZUoKACKgB/s320/DSC_0048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PxiPBTOXsgo/V4OyXujj8_I/AAAAAAAAAHI/Ys1CeyTPLTEiwrIdgsPHZyHqNI_hIVyDACKgB/s1600/P1140662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PxiPBTOXsgo/V4OyXujj8_I/AAAAAAAAAHI/Ys1CeyTPLTEiwrIdgsPHZyHqNI_hIVyDACKgB/s320/P1140662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Er7pMa9W4zI/V4OyYOaMf-I/AAAAAAAAAHM/YlHypFOeJpUdt-Dumwf9z5HqeZE7DOPngCKgB/s1600/P1140664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Er7pMa9W4zI/V4OyYOaMf-I/AAAAAAAAAHM/YlHypFOeJpUdt-Dumwf9z5HqeZE7DOPngCKgB/s320/P1140664.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We got a very warm welcome while we decided
on are chalet rooms. We headed to the chalets to drop our luggage off and the
chalets were out of this world luxury and they even had hot showers and one of
the comfiest beds. It was just something else!! We headed back for our taster safari
drive and some people were surprised that we weren’t getting anything to eat.
We got into the jeeps and headed out for a taster. We saw some elephants, kudu,
impala, hippos and baboons. It was so surreal. It started to get dark and we
all thought we were all heading back to get some food but it turned out we were
getting out the trucks to have a drink and some popcorn. We then headed back
looking for nocturnal animals with a big spotlight before having a great 3
course meal. It felt amazing to be so relaxed after the hard week and a half we
had just had….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-47735862107573327082016-07-11T07:43:00.003-07:002016-07-11T07:43:44.935-07:00The Final Big Push<br />
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</div>
<br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ttxRnW_oGw/V4OvgxbXoAI/AAAAAAAAAGU/Iiv3r5-DvicRQWsqMDtAOli5qUjZz0ciACLcB/s1600/P1140510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ttxRnW_oGw/V4OvgxbXoAI/AAAAAAAAAGU/Iiv3r5-DvicRQWsqMDtAOli5qUjZz0ciACLcB/s320/P1140510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Nansato by Iain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Today was the final day that we would have
to make a direct difference to the children of Malawi. Pasani School was almost
complete so a few happy volunteers offered to come to Nansato to finish the
job. They did not know what they were in for! The three hours were a whirlwind
of undercoat, gloss, painting the wee spots we had missed, and sweeping the
rubble from the classroom floors. Naturally we gave the Pasani boys the hardest
job, the notorious yellow gloss on dark blue undercoat. This was a nightmare
that I had encountered the previous day, when I had battled for two and half
hours with one window and never-ending blue spots. Still, they rose admirably
to the challenge, and even taught us a neat trick that they had discovered at
Pasani involving replacing brushes with rollers, something that took down the
time considerably. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWNU3uNdpTM/V4Ou9pFtIFI/AAAAAAAAAGY/IIq3GKuF0F4ccCOaNMBhdkdpN6_YOycngCKgB/s1600/P1140315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWNU3uNdpTM/V4Ou9pFtIFI/AAAAAAAAAGY/IIq3GKuF0F4ccCOaNMBhdkdpN6_YOycngCKgB/s320/P1140315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tg0L4g44Iy8/V4Ou9tuWGxI/AAAAAAAAAGY/ESwxSj8G9Ika5mu2nzcmTD9wxFVBqNFtgCKgB/s1600/P1140318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tg0L4g44Iy8/V4Ou9tuWGxI/AAAAAAAAAGY/ESwxSj8G9Ika5mu2nzcmTD9wxFVBqNFtgCKgB/s320/P1140318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Their help was a godsend, and let us
complete more work than we could have imagined in the space of one morning. Our
aim was to totally finish five classrooms, with anything done to the sixth
being counted as gravy, but in fact we managed to transform the blank walls and
windows of the sixth into vibrant colour. At eleven o’clock, half an hour
before we were shipping out for the final time, it suddenly hit me that this was
about to be it. All the months spent fundraising, all the Sundays spent mentally
preparing, all the hours spent attempting the impossible with yellow paint and
a blue window, they were all about to come to an abrupt halt without me even
realizing where the time had gone. This minor epiphany took my breath away for
a moment, before charging my efforts with renewed vigour while I watched the
final few minutes slip away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YbBg9-x8nLw/V4Ou9lAXUjI/AAAAAAAAAGY/anEUVJrmq5cBwtPa_Vhr952_pQFR-sDHgCKgB/s1600/P1140344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YbBg9-x8nLw/V4Ou9lAXUjI/AAAAAAAAAGY/anEUVJrmq5cBwtPa_Vhr952_pQFR-sDHgCKgB/s320/P1140344.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And yet the time came around eventually, as
it always does, and we stepped back to review our work. Six classrooms given a
totally new lease of life, and crucially given some colour instead of the
unyielding grey interiors that surely would have made Nansato a
head-splittingly dull place to learn in the past. Yes, there is still a bit of
work to do that will be completed by the crew of builders always there to
assist us. However, considering the classrooms that we arrived to, and the fact
that we have exceeded our hopes of what we could achieve just before leaving Scotland
let alone from when this project was first conceived, I think I can speak on
behalf of all the boys in saying we are immensely proud, awed and moved by what
we have done and seen in this beautiful, wonderful and so worthy country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1edHf74a4_s/V4Ou-SKMJQI/AAAAAAAAAGY/Iot8o0aXMggHddClKuvjyQgLnUqaEf-bwCKgB/s1600/P1140351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1edHf74a4_s/V4Ou-SKMJQI/AAAAAAAAAGY/Iot8o0aXMggHddClKuvjyQgLnUqaEf-bwCKgB/s320/P1140351.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Pasani by Ross<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Rather than give any details about my day
of sweeping and mopping, I am choosing to focus on my day from lunch onwards.
The Nansato group arrived at lunchtime to the usual flock of overly excited
young children. Sadly, this warm welcome would be the last of our journey.
After an embarrassing attempt at a team training session fell through we were
directed into one of the older classrooms. The kind staff at Pasani prepared a
huge amount of food for us and some other special guests which we gladly tucked
into. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SUF73ib-8Tc/V4Ove3fnipI/AAAAAAAAAGE/6dYsKyKau4Yrb-hRIkBiDhcglztOw0IFwCKgB/s1600/P1140450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SUF73ib-8Tc/V4Ove3fnipI/AAAAAAAAAGE/6dYsKyKau4Yrb-hRIkBiDhcglztOw0IFwCKgB/s320/P1140450.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The environment of the meal was very welcoming and we all felt right at
home with our hosts. After the meal we settled down to begin the speeches,
coming from numerous chiefs, teachers, representatives and Mr Anderson. The
chiefs were introduced to us one by one through a completely new method of
applause. Instead of a fast-paced random clap, the locals used a synchronized
slow-paced cupping clap. This was
clearly a way of showing the utmost respect for the chiefs of the different
villages which we enjoyed taking part in. The speeches themselves were quite
moving, one in particular sticking out in our minds was Mr Anderson’s. His
promise to return back to Pasani if the builders did not complete the work in
time for the new term revealed the true passion behind Mr Anderson’s past year
of fundraising. On a less serious note, he also mentioned the fact that we
would not be coming home the colour of bronze but the colour of blue paint!
After several other speeches giving thanks we headed outside to get one last photo
with the staff next to the classrooms.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5BD3RSeVQqk/V4OveZWu5RI/AAAAAAAAAF8/zvyFmMGMp5MOWQRXfpyMoPIv_vjmCOo9ACKgB/s1600/P1140435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5BD3RSeVQqk/V4OveZWu5RI/AAAAAAAAAF8/zvyFmMGMp5MOWQRXfpyMoPIv_vjmCOo9ACKgB/s320/P1140435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nhggg1JADiA/V4Ovdh79VaI/AAAAAAAAAF4/bpYYTUB0i1wRtuzBcFImmEr-iAVxGyfXACKgB/s1600/DSC_0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nhggg1JADiA/V4Ovdh79VaI/AAAAAAAAAF4/bpYYTUB0i1wRtuzBcFImmEr-iAVxGyfXACKgB/s320/DSC_0523.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> Next on the program was our sporting
event which we were destined to win. First of all, we played the staff which
included three of the village chiefs. Secondly, we played an U21 team named
Kingsley’s All-Stars. We drew 1-1 with the staff after a cheeky tap-in from
Bjorn and we lost 0-1 to the U21 team due to a strike seeping through our
usually rock-solid defence. Our final day was one that I am sure our whole team
will remember for the rest of our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-60094053626490712742016-07-07T01:24:00.002-07:002016-07-07T01:35:44.916-07:00I have a dream...<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nansato by Niels</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Today was our last full day of work on the
classrooms and there was a lot to do. We needed to paint all the windows. We
think that the guys managed to paint around 36 of them today – that is a lot of
circles. We also had to paint the last classroom with PVA. Mr A ignored his
risk assessment by climbing up a very dodgy looking Malawian ladder that was
probably not build for a man of his ‘stature’. We also had to paint the
blackboards which was hugely satisfying. Everyone got a shot which was a
welcomed relief from the dreaded windows. I had to write up the alphabet and
numbers one to ten in two classrooms. While I was blissfully getting into a
routine of marking up the alphabet the rest of the group were struggling ahead
with the windows, especially with the yellow going on the blue, that was
particularly annoying. Luckily for me I had a secret weapon for the murals,
Lucias, he was one of the workers who happened to be a sign painter so he
painted the alphabet and corrected any mistakes I made. The murals are very
simple but very colourful and finish the room off nicely.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pasani by Connor</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Today was also my last full day at the
school that I was working at. At Pasani we had glossed all the classrooms
except one so some of us got to work on that while I continued work on colouring
in the alphabet and number murals which was quite easy and relaxing. By the
time we had lunch we had finished glossing the fourth and last room and had
completed two sets of murals. Lunch was pre-packed and was two sandwiches,
fruit and egg. After lunch we went around touching up the gloss and white paint
and finished the murals. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dinner at Nancy’s </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We arrived at the restaurant expecting
something quite fancy but were surprised to find one large room with basic
seating and tables. Nancy then came and introduced her staff and gave us a very
powerful speech about how and why she started her restaurant. She is married to
a pastor and is very keen to help vulnerable women who may suffer from any
discrimination based on their gender. She had a dream to create a restaurant
about 20 years ago and always held on to that dream despite the challenges of
starting a business being a woman. The food was quite basic but very nice and
we got to try nsima which is a dumpling like thing. When I first saw it I
thought it was raw dough but on eating discovered it was plain in taste and had
a dumpling like texture. We all ate it with our hands by breaking off a bit and
mixing it with some vegetables or beans. We were also served chicken, rice and
lovely pizza. We then finished the meal with a very nice cake which had a green
inside which we all theorised about which ended up just being food colouring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-73366744817647138432016-07-07T01:22:00.004-07:002016-07-07T01:52:35.894-07:00No need for suntan lotion today<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The weather has remained decidedly Scottish
today as we embarked on another painting day. We did, however, travel down to
see Mary’s Meals before painting and Calum had to take a wee trip into
Blantyre.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Blantyre by Calum</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Today I travelled through to Blantyre with
Mr Boyd to go to the hospital for a check-up. We left after seeing Mary’s Meals
at Nansato and dropping everyone one else of at the other school. The Mary’s
Meals was a bit strange. It was raining and cold so there was not a huge amount
of kids when we arrived around 6.20. It was awkward watching the kids line up
to get, what could be, their only meal of the day. Everyone was a bit muted
either because it was so cold and rainy or because they were so hungry. We all
took a turn stirring the big pots which seemed a bit touristy. We then got a
taste of the likuni phala which is fortified with vitamins. It was quite sweet
and a wee bit sandy in texture. The trip to Blantyre was very interesting.
After the bad rain that we have been having over the past few days it made the
first bit of the journey very interesting as to get to the road we have to
travel down a mud road for about half an hour. The road was now hard to pass as
there was now lots of potholes and the ground was wet and very slippery. Andrew
had a very tough job avoiding all the cyclists, people walking on the massive
potholes and even ditches before we made it to the tarmac. It felt like I was
on a rollercoaster. The tarmac turned out to be not much better with the
drivers here being crazy with them almost hitting each other. Also one thing
that we have noticed since being here is the crazy things that they have on
their bikes. Today we noticed someone carrying a goat and someone with a huge
stack of chairs. When we got to the hospital in Blantyre it wasn’t what I
expected as it was very nice and not too much different from home. Some of the
methods like taking my temperature was different as they don’t have the
technology that we have but all went well and got some lunch before heading
back along the road to go back and help with the last bit of painting the
schools today. </span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pasani by Cameron and Ben</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Today at Pasani we arrived in the rain and
started doing a second coat of light blue gloss on the doors and windows. We
were waiting for PVA to paint on the walls of the last classroom before we
could paint it. While we were doing the doors and windows Mr Christmas, Connor
and Alex started drawing the alphabet and numbers on the walls in the
classrooms. We had a great lunch of sausages and sandwiches in an empty
classroom, then went straight back to work. We cut empty water bottles in half and
filled them up with the acrylic paint diluted with water, half of us using the
acrylic to paint the murals on the walls while the others finished off the
windows and door of the last classroom. At half past two Jacko arrived to give
us a lift home and we stopped at the woodcarvers on the way. The toilets were
especially smelly today but the classrooms are starting to look great.</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nansato By Bjorn and Alex G</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Today at Nansato we were glossing 5
classrooms with blue paint and also lime washing the last classroom. With two
members of our team away on a hospital run we were short of members but as we
got there we got a nice surprise as one of the bursars called Gift showed up to
help us paint. Once we had glossed the 5 classrooms before lunch and had a much
needed break consisting of bread and sausages delivered to us by our amazing
guide Jacko, we went and started to undercoat the windows while Mr Anderson and
Niels started on the murals with the help of Luscious, a sign painter by trade,
helping make a visually stunning alphabet above one of the near completed
classrooms. After the dreaded undercoating of windows we moved on to the much hated
lime-wash. Half way through Calum and Mr. Boyd returned from the hospital and
started to help on the last classroom. With Mr. Boyd providing detail on
information of what’s happening in the UK (such as Teresa May’s potentially
becoming PM and making us think twice about returning home) and to help lighten
the mood from our tedious task that was the dreaded lime wash by telling
stories of Bjorn’s Mum repeating in every photo of Project Malawi’s blog:
“Where’s Bjorn” and “I don’t see Bjorn”. At this point, Mr A decided that I
(Bjorn) was going to be writing the blog tonight and also reminded me to tell
the parents that photos are very difficult to upload and that all boys are all
still alive and very much being photographed for future sharing. Overall it was
impressive to see how a fresh coat of paint can make such an improvement to an
otherwise dull and dreary building. At the end of the day we had a lot of fun
with the local gang. We played games with them, made funny faces and also
taught them how to chant the theme tune of John Cena. It was George’s last evening with us tonight
so we gave him one of our much sought after tea towels and a thank you for
putting up with us. I’m sure he will enjoy his long journey home tomorrow in
peace and quiet.</span></span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-66598583447554362912016-07-07T01:22:00.000-07:002016-07-07T01:51:29.000-07:00Avatar Day<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Today was another hard day painting and the
blue paint appeared to give a bit of colour to the classrooms and to the boys. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pasani by Alex and Connor</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Today we started on blue glossing which was
easy compared to PVA. With the blue gloss we had to paint the windows which was
the most challenging and time consuming task. It was challenging to paint all
the gaps as they some were high up. Our break soon came and we did not sing as
during today there were less children to entertain and we were tired. After
many hours working with the blue glossy paint we had a pack lunch which
contained of 2 sandwiches an orange, egg and crisps. This would be a hard time
as many children were looking through the windows, opening doors and knocking
on them. But soon an older child came and ushered the younger children away.
When we had completed our lunch we continued working on the windows which
needed to be cleaned class by class. Overall we had a successful day and we
were all happy. We did, however, all ended up coming home looking like a bunch
of smurfs. Most of us tried to scrape it off but gave us as we know we will be
getting more paint on us tomorrow. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nansato by Iain and Neils</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Today was a hard day’s slog preparing the
first 5 classrooms for the nice gloss finish tomorrow. In the morning the walls
were still patchy and grey, and we knew we had a lot of work to do make them a
proper shade of white for the kids. Lots of PVA was thrown on the walls and on
our clothes in an attempt to achieve this, but there were many issues with the
thickness of the paint. It seems the Malawian builders are used to saving
resources and make the best of thin paint, but as we lack any previous painting
experience whatsoever we were not so effective at doing this! Mr Anderson was
visibly crabbit and the most worrying moment of the day came when he had a
slightly heated conversation with the head builder explaining the issue and the
lack of time we had to make these classrooms photogenic. He did make the point
that if we don’t make an impressively large visual difference in the state of
the classrooms it would be impossible to drum up the same support for a future
venture, and it was clear there was even more at stake than just the kids at
Nansato and Pasani that we were helping this time around. However, the head
builder took the message and gave us notably thicker paint to finish the day
and by 3 o’clock Mr Anderson was notably chirpier. The walls seem very white
and whilst a couple more splodges might be needed, the classrooms are ready for
gloss! We also had the great pleasure of undercoating the windows with blue
paint. The weather was pretty Scottish and the cold wind that blew through the
new windows that gives great ventilation also blew the blue undercoat into our
faces. Blue freckles became the new trend at Nansato especially with Louise who
did well to keep on with the painting until about 2.00pm at which time the
local group of observers come along after school. Louise had great fun playing
loads of different games with them. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We also enjoyed a taste of home when we
returned, as we went out to Mulanje Pepper restaurant for plenty of pizza.
Thin, crispy and loaded with cheese, these pizzas were as good as any in a high
street Italian restaurant, and satisfied the fast food craving that many of us
had developed this far into our trip. They were also remarkably cheap, with the
meal averaging out to less than £8 pounds a head. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Overall it was a very productive and
fulfilling day, which will hopefully be a springboard for our completion of
these classrooms that so need a refurbishment.</span></span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-43109455300170196282016-07-04T07:14:00.003-07:002016-07-04T07:44:09.527-07:00Sunday – and there is a time to dance….. <br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">by
Calum, Gavin, Bjorn and Matthew</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">After a well needed lie-in with breakfast
at 8, the group set off down the hill towards the church in full gear, kilts
and all loud and proud. Having arrived first at the church, there was enough
time to show the other groups our progress with the painting in the classrooms at
Nansato school. The church service started with a quick prayer followed by
praising the lord through song and dance. There were many different groups that
performed, with the Dunblane BB joining in with each groups attempting to
follow their dance, much to the amusement of the locals especially Gavin’s lack
of rhythm and Bjorn going too far in a dance involving high knees ending in a
flash of underwear. Some took videos and photos while we danced due to our
“skirts” you will see this in a video coming soon. Soon it was the Dunblane
BB’s turn to get up and sing some songs, at first the band impressed the congregation
with two pieces of Scottish music before the rest of the boys got up and sang
an impressive cover of ‘Loch Lomond’ and ‘Will Your Anchor Hold’. After all the
dances and songs had finished there was a few readings from various locals and
also a section of the service being taken by Mr. Christmas giving a sermon. On
the walk back we stopped off at the carvers for some of us to pick up personalised
woodwork which maybe you’ll be seeing soon.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Once we got back it was a quick change into
suitable clothes for hiking where we had a guide who took us to a waterfall an
hour up Mt. Mulanjie, with amazing views. We all had our packed lunch with us
to eat when we got there, other than a very hungry Alex Gunn who had an empty
lunch box. We set off from the house and started walking towards the mountain.
It wasn’t very hot but some of the older members of the group were sweating
like mad. One particular captain of the BB’s was extremely sweaty and was
lagging behind. The hill was quite a tough walk as it was constantly uphill in
rough terrain. Despite this we all enjoyed ourselves on the hike up. Mr.
Christmas’ hat changed from a grey hat to a grey camo hat with all the sweat.
We passed by a pair of men cutting up logs using a very large saw and we all
were extremely nervous as the saw was dangerously close to his foot. We finally
reached the waterfall which was like nothing you’d see in Scotland. We all sat
down and ended up swapping half our food with each other. We then were shown
the way up to the beginners jumping spot which some of us used despite Mr.
Andersons disapproval and nervousness. We then moved on to the higher jumping
spot and did not appreciate the lack of sun (for the first time). Then to the
great approval of all the boys and officers, Mr. Christmas stepped up and
impressed us all with his climbing skills before jumping off. We then all made
our way down the hill now dry and still happy. Just missing the first rain of
the whole trip we all arrived back, however the Likhubula representatives were
not so lucky so we hear.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">So that is all our days off now – we now
need to knuckle down and get painting. The next few blogs might be a bit more
boring (unless we get Gavin to dance while he is painting) </span></span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-5821536295028943362016-07-04T07:13:00.004-07:002016-07-04T07:13:36.438-07:00Shock News – Mr C spotted with a paintbrush in his hand
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">by Liam and Liam</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today we had breakfast. We all then went to
Pasani. There was still a surprising number of kids despite it being Saturday.
We started doing the PVA on the classrooms. It was hard work as the walls kept
sooking it all up. Mr Christmas kept telling us to lather it on and called me
“Lather-on Liam.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The kids were all still chanting “We are!”
everytime they walked past the window from when we taught them “if you’re happy
and you know it clap your hands”. We saw Mr Anderson running for the first time
(unfortunately to attend another medical crisis) and Mr Christmas even did some
work (eventually!). Don’t worry about the medical crisis though – Ross (for
some unknown reason) fainted. He was sitting down and plonked his face into a
pile of red dust. When he came round it looked like he had a really bad fake
tan. He thinks it was because of the paint fumes – we think he was just looking
to get out of painting. It was good having everyone on the same site today and
we got through a tonne of work.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At lunchtime we met with the Dunblane
Likhubula Bursars from Chambe secondary school – one of them would be very
useful know as he wanted to be a journalist! We had lunch together and all
chatted together about school, exams and each other’s lives. It was quite
humbling to hear about how different their lives are from ours and what their
hopes are. Some want to be doctors, lawyers, teachers and work in the armed
forces. However, they also had a lot of similarities to us. Some mentioned that
they preferred some subjects more than others. We also talked a lot about
football and what Scotland was like.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We then headed into Chitikale to find a
shop that sold snacks (it took three attempts) and we also went into the
market. There were loads of different things for sale including empty bottles,
loads of different types of food and piles of tiny smoked fish. We were the
only tourists in the market and I think we caused quite a stir (especially
Matthew with his hair). Vanda bought some fancy looking cloth and Mr A bought
some more paint brushes to get us working even harder.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the way home we stopped at the local
carving place and picked up some gifts that we had ordered. Mr Christmas and
Vanda took ages to order a carving. When we got home, Mr Boyd had arrived
(unfortunately without his luggage) and we had a great dinner of pasta. We then
had another chat (we have had these each night) and we talked a lot about the
stories we had heard from the bursars. Some of them have gone through so much
in their lives and have so many challenges. However, they are just kids like
us. We all talked about how good it is that the partnership link sponsors these
bursars and we all had quite a few opinions about what other things the
partnership could think about. After our chat, we prepared for the Church service
tomorrow. We will be performing some songs and we also have formed our mini
band which sounded great (they drowned out our singing which is probably a good
thing)</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-54584226114222549112016-07-04T07:12:00.003-07:002016-07-04T07:12:31.233-07:00Day 3 – The Painting Begins
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today we finally started painting, We spilt
up into two teams so that we could work on both schools at the same time. Here
are the stories from both teams.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nansato – Iain</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After an early start the A Team drove out
to Nansato school and set up the equipment that we would need for the day. Mr A
made a plan with the builders and soon we were at work with the whitewash to
begin with. In the morning we focused on three classrooms including one where
the whole room needed to be whitewashed. This was hard work as the lime was not
very easy to work with. The state of the classrooms was shocking as they lay
bare and crumbling. It was clear how much hard work had been done to the windows
and floors before we arrived. The classroom was nice and cool and well
ventilated with the new windows. We could see the scale of the task in front of
us. The painting was actually quite enjoyable and we had a chat as we worked.
This included some interactions with the local school kids who crowded the
windows to watch us curiously until the Head teacher arrived at which point they
all scarpered (for a minute). They were good at asking what our names and ages
were.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had made packed lunches before leaving
the house which consisted of mainly peanut butter sandwiches although there
were boiled eggs on offer too. Eating these packed lunches discretely was
possibly the most difficult part of the day as we knew the children had
nothing. We sat in a classroom and had a chat before getting to work again.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In total today we started work on 5
classrooms: one of them is still getting windows fitted. The work was tough but
we feel we achieved a lot on the first day. We headed back up to the lodge to
clean up the large quantity of paint we were wearing. I decided to go for
another run with a staff member called Moses. Unfortunately, as I was jogging
around waiting for Moses to arrive, I tripped and decked it onto a big rock
scraping my hands and knees. Fortunately, our bus driver is trained in First
Aid and one of the Belfast ladies is a doctor and I was diagnosed with a sore
wrist. I will be thinking twice before running on the paths again.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apart from this painful adventure, the day
has been an extremely worthwhile start to our project and it is now clear the
great amount of benefit we are bringing to the children of Likhubula.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pasani – Ross</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The actual work involved with the first day
of painting was not the highlight of my day.
The real enjoyment came from talking with the children and staff in
Pasani. After lunch Euan and I went to
sit on a step to enjoy some of the African heat. As we expected, we were joined
by many enthusiastic children. All of
them were so good at speaking English which made us think that we should try
and pick up some Chichewa. A member of
staff started to help us by teaching us basic speech like “How are you?” and “Thank
you”. Not long after that we had more
than a dozen children gathered around us trying to teach us to speak like
them! They seemed to find it very
amusing that we struggled to pronounce everything! Although we did forget most of the words that
they taught us, I’m certain the feeling of being made to feel a part of the
community will remain with us forever.
Today was such an important day because it was the first day that I
really felt a connection with the people in Likhubula. I hope every day shares the same positivity
as today. </span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-28499083707326731972016-07-01T05:26:00.005-07:002016-07-01T05:38:31.519-07:00A Thousand Welcomes (and probably more)<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">by
Euan, Ben and Connor</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We woke up at 7 and went to breakfast at 8
for sausage and eggs, we then put on our kilts and got on the buses to go to
introduce ourselves to both of the schools.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLVuDMgJVDI/V3ZjguC3AbI/AAAAAAAAACU/xtWOJN_EXu8voXFCI7c8GgnRmkIsCSFFQCLcB/s1600/nansato%2Bwelcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLVuDMgJVDI/V3ZjguC3AbI/AAAAAAAAACU/xtWOJN_EXu8voXFCI7c8GgnRmkIsCSFFQCLcB/s320/nansato%2Bwelcome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FxaqhhDPKos/V3ZkM4sZsuI/AAAAAAAAACk/KHcGb64MnhI9FliwtaiGjubMI2nXYxVLgCLcB/s1600/nansato%2Bchoir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FxaqhhDPKos/V3ZkM4sZsuI/AAAAAAAAACk/KHcGb64MnhI9FliwtaiGjubMI2nXYxVLgCLcB/s320/nansato%2Bchoir.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">When we arrived at Nansato we were shocked
at the number of children there and how happy they were. I don’t know how the
minibus driver managed to drive through the crowds of children who were all
there to welcome us. When we got out of the buses, all the children wanted to touch
us and shake our hands. I think they were a bit confused by our kilts and there
were definitely a few sniggers. We met all the staff and then they all sang for
us and gave us a big welcome. We sang to them and presented them with the
flamingo and the Lego bricks. Then we went around the classes and introduced
ourselves to the children. There were absolutely loads of them all sitting on
the floor. The teachers were able to get them to be quiet as they all wanted to
Hi Five us and shake our hand. We then had a look at the classrooms that the
builders have been working on. There has been a huge amount of work done to the
floors, walls and windows and there are a number or classrooms ready for us to
paint.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylW4N-e3rq0/V3ZjtIjwFRI/AAAAAAAAACY/rGgRR1jPPO4j1sXviQd0mDJP0dyzpONiwCLcB/s1600/Pasani%2Bwelcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylW4N-e3rq0/V3ZjtIjwFRI/AAAAAAAAACY/rGgRR1jPPO4j1sXviQd0mDJP0dyzpONiwCLcB/s320/Pasani%2Bwelcome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We got back in the buses and went to Pasani
school. At this school there was almost 2000 pupils who were all really excited
to see us and ran along-side the minibus. Some of them were jumping on to the
back of the mini bus and opening the back door. We got out and shook hands with
hundreds of them as we walked over to where they had prepared a welcome for us.
They had prepared a whole assembly just for us. We had a traditional game of
tug-o’-war which we lost against primary 1. There was then a number of poems
read out by some of the learners talking about their school. They even prepared
a special song and dance all about the classroom renovations and showed us an
exercise routine with wooden dumbells that was brilliant. Mr Anderson said a
speech and then we sang for “If You’re Happy and You Know it”. They loved it
and shouted out “We Are!” There are 10 classrooms being renovated at Pasani
which is just about the whole school. They are hugely grateful for our project.
They then gave us some sweet potato which tasted great. It’s hard to describe
the welcome we got. We have never experienced anything like it. All we can say
is “Wow”.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdkUoOqDwWA/V3Zj-TQ26GI/AAAAAAAAACc/yNlygWvuITgYd1uYQ5uUropSq0Eiz8BPACLcB/s1600/tug%2Bo%2Bwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdkUoOqDwWA/V3Zj-TQ26GI/AAAAAAAAACc/yNlygWvuITgYd1uYQ5uUropSq0Eiz8BPACLcB/s320/tug%2Bo%2Bwar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We then came back to Likhubula House and
had lunch which was beef and chips, we walked down the road to the woodcarvers
and looked at the different handmade gifts they had there and went to the river
to see the rock pools. We sat and chilled out for a while as we got the
equipment all ready to start painting tomorrow morning. We are all desperate to
start work now that we know they huge difference it is going to make to
hundreds of smiling young kids.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-39107612837453679672016-07-01T05:26:00.001-07:002016-07-01T05:39:15.031-07:00Boarding Passes, Toasties and Hand Luggage<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Callum and Gavin</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">On arrival to Edinburgh airport we were all
in high spirits. None of us were tired, cold, hot or missing a boarding pass -
yet. We handed in all luggage with no problems and said out final goodbyes to
all family members who came to say goodbye. After checking in, we got food and
drink and sat down for (sorta) lunch. After our flight was ready for boarding
we made our way to the gate, with only one problem. GAVIN lost his boarding
pass! (Definitely did not become an inside joke) Thanks to the nice lady at
check in he still got on. Some say the boarding pass still haunts those stupid
enough to lose their own.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Landing at London Heathrow we collected all
our baggage and took two escalators and a train just to get to baggage check-in
for the second time. Taking surprisingly less time than expected we got through
and into the terminal where we all were hungry and getting tired. All was going
so well until after eating out Callum went on the hunt for a cheese and ham
toasty (which most certainly did not end up making us run to make up for a 15
min delay)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sitting in the large South African Airways
flight we got comfy and set in for the long long flight. The whole back of the
plane was full of Classroom for Malawi volunteers and us. We had two meals and
complimentary drinks. We also had a personal screen where we could watch films,
play games and track our flight and got a great view of the sun rise.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Finally, we made our way off the plane all
tired but fine in Johannesburg. Before we got through to the next terminal,
Callum realized he still had the toastie in his bag. We made him eat it in the
line before going through security. Before we got on the next flight we met up
with the 3</span><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> Kilsyth BB who were also going to Malawi with Classroom
for Malawi. On our last flight we got our second breakfast. When we landed in
Malawi we felt the warmth of the sun despite it being winter over here.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Getting our visa took a while, made worse
by the hot room and only one token fan but all our lagge had arrived or so we
thought. Mr Anderson was last through customs and couldn’t find his hand
luggage but it ended up being in the trailer all the time.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We got into the buses and picked up some
snacks in Blantyre before heading down south to Likhubula. Mount Mulange is
massive and very beautiful. Our lodge is right at the foot of the mountain and
is great. We have 2 dorms and there is another group of folk here from Belfast.
The food is brilliant. We had chicken and rice before heading to bed after a
long day of travelling. </span></span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603073806392307972.post-41613225210018172972016-06-26T11:55:00.000-07:002016-06-26T11:55:55.083-07:00What a Send Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtWZPcVmKvs/V3AjoKOGhpI/AAAAAAAAAB8/HZpQiwZdz3EE1QECtQQrYWJdabUkV_ujQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtWZPcVmKvs/V3AjoKOGhpI/AAAAAAAAAB8/HZpQiwZdz3EE1QECtQQrYWJdabUkV_ujQCLcB/s320/DSC_0967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Wow - what a weekend. We had a fantastic farewell celebration on Friday evening with all the boys and their parents and the atmosphere was brilliant. I think it's fair to say that the team are now buzzing and ready to get on that plane.<br />
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We plan to get the boys to update this blog as often as possible when we are out there so that you are kept up to date with our adventure.<br />
<br />
Right - back to the suitcasesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662750871176152649noreply@blogger.com2