Gillerthwaite - Prep Weekend

Friday’s activities began after arriving at Gillerthwaite and settling in, the first of which was possibly the funniest of the weekend. We separated into two groups, the group I was in were the ‘Durdians’ a group of people who needed assistance from the other group to build a bridge. But, it wasn’t quite that simple, the Durdians had a few customs of their culture which the other group were for the time being blissfully unaware of, such as kissing the shoulder of the person you’re greeting, the inability to say no, only say ‘yes’ while nodding your head – which was so confusing! And gender roles (such as girls not being allowed to touch scissors). Also, just to make things even more awkward for the other group we decided to run at them making dinosaur noises (don’t ask, I have no idea...) When the two groups were reunited I think it’s safe to say the Durdians succeeded in scaring the life out of the other group, who seemed pretty alarmed at the kissing in greeting, but probably more so at us running and screeching at them…Eventually we did manage to build the bridge, even though most of us Durdians couldn’t stop laughing at how terrified the other group were! While the activity was a fun way to start the weekend it was also effective in showing us what it would be like to understand other cultures we may not be familiar with and the difficulty we might have communicating between ourselves and Tanzanians (though I’m pretty sure none of them will run at us screaming like dinosaurs…)

After that we finished off the evening by singing a few songs with James, Sam and Mary playing the guitar, deciding which songs to sing while we’re in Tanzania and then prepared for the busy day ahead of us!



Our hectic day began by clearing the brambles in the field, it was hard work and we all seemed to end up covered in scratches but luckily Becca’s lunch team had prepared some well-earned refreshments. After lunch we got down to planning our time in Tanzania, starting with lesson plans on Science, English and Sports, which we’ll use when we go out there as we hope to transfer the methods used English schools to some of the classes we’ll be visiting, so that the Tanzanians can see the differences between the ways in teaching and hopefully be beneficial to them as well as entertaining!

Next we got out the parachute and practised a few games we’re taking out to Tanzania with us, which was great fun as always. Our next job was to sort out the risk assessment with our newest member Andy, then practise some Kiswahili with the leaders being shop assistants and us having to barter for various items we’d be buying at a Tanzanian market.

The evening then consisted of the making of the group contract (rules to which we all agree on how we should behave in Tanzania) and after a long day, all of the brambles and wood we’d cut down earlier were made into a bonfire for us, courtesy of the owner of the centre who even bought us marshmallows! So we sat out under the stars toasting marshmallows and chatting, then finally taking a walk to a lake, delayed only slightly by one of us managing to get stuck in a swamp…*ahem, Slyvia. ;)

The final day began with breakfast and Tash’s quiz on English and Tanzania culture. We then had a quick tidy and clean of the house before going home after a very tiring but great weekend! And I think I speak for us all when I say how excited the preparation weekend has made us for Tanzania, not long left until we go now!! :)

Holly Stainton

FUNDRAISING 2011-2012

FUNDRAISING 2011-2012

Students and committee members have been very busy fundraising for the 2012 trip to Tanzania....I am so impressed with the enthusiasm and effort that has gone into it all. Many folk have turned out on two days of the weekend at times..and it sure is worthwhile, thinking of the projects that may get off the ground in Rungwe this year.

Here is just a taster of some of the fundraising events that have taken place:

Singing and Swimming:

Friends old and new joined in our two carol-singing sessions in Whitehaven in December 2011. We missed having Mary to play her guitar, but were lucky to have Don and Rob to step up to the job!

And if we sung our way out of 2011, some of us swam our way into 2012, with a New Year's dip in the sea at St Bees! (See CRCL's Facebook page for pics!)

To continue on the swimming theme, we recently entered two teams in the Swimarathon, organised by Whitehaven Lions Club at Copeland Swimming Pool in March.

Bag-Packing:

Some of you may have seen us on your local supermarket run, as we have packed bags at Tesco and Morrisons at Whitehaven and Sainsburys at Cockermouth over Autumn and Winter 2011 and Spring 2012. We are ever grateful to the folk of Copeland and Allerdale for their extreme generosity in these penny-pinching times. And, hey, it's not just about fundraising, but also a great way to chat with local people, show all the photos and information on our display boards and enhance our understanding here in West Cumbria about the realities of rural life in Rungwe, Tanzania.

Buns and Roses; Cakes and Quizzes:

It never fails to amaze me how full of energy and commitment our students, parents and committee members are when it comes to thinking up and executing fundraising events. These have included running a Pub Quiz at The Oddfellows Arms at St Bees, selling Valentine's roses in school, the New Year's Dip, cake stalls and raffles at school and community events. (Sorry if I have missed out a few here....just too many to mention!)

In February 2012, I helped the CRCL team serve refreshments at a SASRA concert at Westlakes Academy and was simply bowled over with the selection of cakes that students, families and members had provided.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us in our fundraising activities. Your support is truly appreciated.

P.S.......Coming soon.......Facepainting at Muncaster Castle grounds 3-7 June!

Catherine

CRCLs Anual General Meeting - Tuesday 6th Sept 7:15pm, St Bees Village Hall (Hodgetts)

Hello all,

Our Annual General Meeting is to be held on Tuesday 6th September at 7.15pm, at St Bees Village Hall (Hodgetts). It is open to any member of the public. It is a chance for you to hear all about link activities and ask questions.

It will be followed by a committee meeting, which is just for the committee.

Hope to see you there.

Morecambe Bay Sponsored Walk - Tackling the sands!

The treacherous journey across Morecambe Bay began with beautiful sun glaring down on the brave 5 about to cross the perilous journey to Kents Bay. Mamma Mary was warning us about the dangers we may encounter, “Killer sharks, Crocodiles, Piranhas.” We laughed them off as joke, but it was no joke we would soon find out.

The walk seemed to take an age to start, but when we finally set off. The queens guide at the front. Cedrick was his name. The start of the walk was easy, although myself and Mary managed to stumble on rocks. The handful of guard dogs the other groups managed to kill off the threats.

We eventually entered the sand after a quick stop for lunch in which one of the dogs was hungry and attacked my sandwiches. The first journey took forever, at parts ankle deep in water. Or worse quick sand! Travelling in the wrong direction to find the best suitable path thanks to the expertise of Cedrick.

Then came the biggest challenge yet. The kent channel. This was a stretch of water, up to our waist and as we were warned infested with all sorts of deadly animals. We crossed the river as a team and came out triumphant!

Then upon the horizon, yes it was more people. We at first we thought it was the last group that set off weeks ago. Still lost upon this land of...Nothingness. But we soon realised that it was in fact the group that started in Morecambe.

The last stretch was incredibly difficult. It was the marsh. Sludgy, mucky marsh. We were quickly surrounded by the killer sheep. But the group came out with minimal losses. Just one person was wounded in his attempt to flee the sheep we believe he broke his ankle.

But unfortunately this delay cost us to miss our train to the beginning, so the hour wait, without the toilets proved just to be as difficult as the walk itself. BUT WE MADE IT!
But one final note. R.I.P all the crabs that lost their lives on this walk.

Jack S.

Tanzanians Safely Back In Tanzania

After an amazing exchange, the Tanzanians are safely back home. Read all about their visit here.


The link would like to give send a massive thank you to everyone who was involved, and we hope you had a brilliant time.

TRIP BLOG 2011

Copeland Community Fund

"Over 100 volunteers from across Copeland were recognised at two special events hosted by Cumbria CVS and sponsored by the Copeland Community Fund this month. "


Copeland Community Fund Article

Have You Listened To Our Tanzanian Recordings?

Click Here to have a listen to some of our favorite recordings of School Choirs and the amazing Makandana Aids Awareness Choir.

Click play after the page loads to listen, it may take a while so be patient...