01 August
08 ~ 08.45hrs ~ Phone call from Esther McCall
The expedition team were now at the school in readiness
for today’s handover ceremony scheduled for 10.30
am this morning. Students were currently walking round taking
photographs and Esther described the atmosphere as very
emotional.
Work on the school was 98% complete by close of day on
Wednesday with the woodwork team completing their last bench
in 4 minutes and 16 seconds. Given that their first bench
took 45 minutes to make you can see how accomplished they
had become! Thursday was spent varnishing the last few benches
and putting finishing touches to the artwork and generally
cleaning up the classrooms. Afterwards most students adjourned
to go into Livingstone, basically to replenish dwindling
stocks of chocolate and cakes! Meanwhile the younger school
children spent some time sweeping up the yard and clearing
up any small stones.
Esther said it was a lovely sunny morning and there were
approximately 150 children (all of whom are wearing
school uniform) gathered outside… a huge leap
in numbers from the 40/50 children that attended in 2006.
(NB: During my conversation with Esther,
I could hear in the background the villagers drumming and
singing)
The choir have been busy rehearsing and all seems set for
a lovely service. It is also rumoured that the Deputy Mayor
will be attending. Meanwhile, there is the possibility that
the Zambian Broadcasting Corporation may be there, along
with a representative from a radio station.
All being well Esther hopes to report back late this afternoon
with details about how the ceremony itself went.
01 Aug 08 ~ A Special Message
for Helen Ison
Mum,
Thinking of you and
wishing you a very Happy Birthday.
lots of love
Rianne xxx
02 August 08 ~ 21.05hrs ~
Phone call from Esther McCall
Yesterday’s service went really well and, as suggested,
it was a very emotional occasion. The Guest of Honour was
the Deputy District Commissioner whose task it was to formally
hand over the school to the Education Authority.
Apparently he spoke very eloquently, citing the Chinese
proverb “Give a man a fish and you feed him for
a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
He wanted the parents and children to realise they have
been given a gift… the hope being that the benefits
from the school, along with new addition of the chicken
house (where the first eggs are due in September)
will provide future sustainability for the village.
Esther’s own attempts at getting some sort of media
coverage for the ceremony proved fruitful, with the Zambian
National Broadcasting Corporation, journalists from The
Times and The Post newspapers and a reporter from Zambezi
FM all in attendance to cover the event.
Last night saw everyone crammed into Alan and Oriel’s
living room to watch their 30 second claim to fame on National
TV. Footage included some of the students in the newly decorated
classrooms and again later sat in the audience. They had
also been invited to speak on the radio this afternoon,
but due to their ‘activity’ commitments, were
sadly unable to take up the offer.
Today saw everybody taking part in their chosen activities.
Four students chose to partake in a ‘gorge swing’
which involved being fitted into a harness and swung at
a height of 93 metres above the gorge. They were then carefully
lowered to the bottom of the gorge from where they then
had to climb back up again! Six of the girls decided to
take a helicopter flight and are still talking animatedly
about the experience this evening. Fifteen boys opted to
take a bungee jump… a 111 metre plummet towards the
Zambezi River. Esther said that the area around the bridge
from which they jumped was filled with the sound of testosterone-fuelled
music to help them on their way. Without exception each
of the boys came back wanting to do it all over again. Indeed
it’s been the main topic of conversation since they
got back to camp.
Still full of adrenaline the boys also took part in the
football match against the local league team. Although they
lost, the final score was a respectable 3-2.
Tomorrow they have another lie in, this time until 8 am.
The afternoon will be spent back at Victoria Falls when
they will take students from the school to see the sights.
Initially they had thought they would only be able to afford
to take about 40 Grade One children, but due to the generosity
of a local business ‘Bushlore’ (who have
kindly offered to pay for 3 coaches) they are now able
to take 90 children with them.
Later that evening the expedition team plan on going to
the Zambezi Sun Hotel, which overlooks Victoria Falls, for
a nice meal.
03 August 08 ~ 17.26hrs ~
Email message to the team from Sophie Barnett
To all the lovelies in new-to-be year 13,
I hope, yet also know that you are having the most amazing
time out there. I will forever be jealous! I have missed
you all so much, Charlotte; what's a girl to do without
her best friend?!...oooobviously have chats with your mum
instead:) tehe.
Rianne, Emma, Sheila and Tom, the drama group is just not
the same without you and i know we are all missing you so
much! Vicky, Chesh and everyone else, i literally cannot
wait to hear all about what you have been doing, although
i've been keeping up with your progress on the website,
can't wait to hear it from the horse's mouth!
Selfish though it is, please return soon! And also know
that you have all done the most amazing thing for the past
month, and have definately made a mark on the world.
Much love always,
Sophie
