Update - second week! Group 2

Days 1-5 can't be compared to the past week. For starters we went on safari. In which I was not expecting to see any "high profile" animals but within the first car journey we saw a lioness and her cubs. We saw elephants , giraffes, hippos, impalas and fin stars and other strange and exotic animals. The next day we had to wake up early at 5:30. Soon after we had a freezing cold safari where we saw hyenas, jackles and Djantai's. The kids were very different this week. Much harder to work with and they do not have the same work ethic! Making the coaching much harder. However the community work is so much fun. Sharif and I had a great time gardening. We dug flower beds and helped to build a shelter around the bore hole. All manual labour but very satisfying.

Jacy Joseph's

Group 2 - project work started today

 

Safari

Sorry the updates have not been as good but there has been limited wifi on safari. Here are a few pictures from this weekend instead.

Group 1 -day 5

Given that it was the last day of coaching, we were all anticipating an emotional one – the prospect of picking a ten man team and leaving the rest behind had been playing on our minds since arriving here in Kitwe. Despite knowing this, the attitude amongst the kids was as positive as always and carried us through what we knew would be a difficult day. We were both in charge of the afternoon school – Riverain – or the ‘River Rangers’ as we like to call the team, and so this made our morning rather awkward as we entertained the 50 who were ‘unlikely’ to get a place on Friday’s team. It was in the afternoon, however, that our work became more serious. Having to choose our final 10 for ourselves, we took a back seat on the coaching and began to scout players who had really got the hang of it in the last few days; and difficult though it was, we finally made a decision. All this left for us to do was announce the lucky 10, with the mighty 3 foot 1 Steven and the not much bigger Bongani (pronounced Wongani) making the cut. With this done, and a few tears and frustration out the way, we were able to enjoy our evening in anticipation of what was to come the following day!

L. Cicale and S.d.R (aka power couple)

Group 1 - day 4

Blog 4

Today was day 3 of coaching which meant for those with winning on their mind (which was obviously my group) it was about to get serious. With our first school Ndeke, the rugby session got off to a slow start, with the children more pumped for a High School Musical rendition than a rugby session but Sophie and I were not complaining. But it highlighted to us the importance of having fun rather than focusing on winning the tournament. To sum off a great morning at Ndeke we had an intense hokey pokey session with at least 100 little ones - just about the only thing that could take my mind off my horrible mosquito affiliation. I am the only person suffering from mosquito bites and it’s rather awful if I say so myself!! However the love I get from everyone here makes the pain bearable (I’m the favourite in my group, having received 13 letters and a knitted bag).

The Most Endearing One

L.A XX

Evening at Mackenzie community school

Group 2-day 4

The experience is something that really touches me. Although we have only been here for couple days, the bond I have made with the kids have been something special. The moment they see us walk through the school gate they beam with a smile and rush to hold your hands. They are there 8:30 sharp, don't ask for breaks and never want to stop. Last day of coaching in the north and I can't imagine saying goodbye to the kids. Just to top off my experience so far last night we want to the orphanage school in McKenzie and they welcomed us with dancing ,prayers and a meal and I personally felt at home when I danced and had a once in a life time experience around the camp fire and I never want to leave.

Mo Dabaiba