Follow the link to see it:
http://www.cyec.org.uk/exchanges/youth-exchanges
We arrived here open minded and not knowing what to expect, but all of
us soon settled in and found out more about each other! And what we
didn't know before we wrote on a piece of paper on a wall ! As everyone
was arriving at different times we all got to know the area and what our
groups and tasks were for the weekend. The first cooking group made bean
surprise..(with no recipe or instructions!) and an amazing apple
crumble! Lucy T organised a human conveyor belt for the washing and
drying up, and let out her cutlery fetish! :P
Afterwards we had a group meeting to ask questions about Tanzania,
during this people were taken out individually for their interviews, ie
an informal chat with Don and Russel, who got increasingly more drunk as
the night wore on.. We found out about eating animal tubes for tea,
drinking sour milk to be polite and the Tanzanian fascination with toast
and that Poli = Cheese man and God =D .
We then found JENGAAAAA and found out that Lucy T has never played it
before! Shock horror! So we moved on to the twister board!! Many people
got to know each others bumsss ! After the Twister players had had
enough of the sight of each others bummms ( which were very nice bums so
no one was complaing ) we decided to play HIDE AND SEEK just to bring
the childish side out. Rachel screamed as she saw some one sitting in
the dark ! (well she thought she did !!! ) even after the immense scream
her and isla used mission impossible tricks to stop them selves from
getting caught ! and it worked !!! Ash also tried to tunnel through the
bed bottoms but didn't succeed unfortuantly.
Well today was the end of programme BBQ and it was a fantastic celebration as I got to spend it with the people who began as fellow link members but over the past few weeks have grown to become my friends. The BBQ food was excellent and so was the trampoline (future note to be wary to mix the two as Cath got a bit of dodgy stomach. As it started to get cooler the current link group retreated to the tent in the garden to play some strange form of a inflatable Connect 4 but soon turned into us all throwing the plastic balls at each other with Lucy Telford getting caught in the crossfire.
As the weather worsened we started to arrange lifts home and we retreated into the warmth of the house, well most of us did some of the past link group decided to tuff it out in the tent (the nutters).
I had a really good time and I hope to see everyone in September if not before. Hope you all have a good summer.
By Daniel
The Fairtrade event at St Benedict's was great! We had the chance to sell some of our Tanzanian goodies, which quite a few people were interested in, and we managed to get (almost) everybody singing and dancing along with 'Timote Sosi' and 'Natembea', wearing kangas as well!! It wasn't a very publicised event, so there wasn't a massive amount of people, but that isn't totally a bad thing, as if there were more, i don't think the dancing would have been such of a success. It was also great to see how many other groups in West Cumbria are devoted to Fairtrade, and love Africa, just like we do! :)
By Naomi
Last night St Benedict’s School held a Fairtrade fashion show, where the Tanzanian stand made an appearance. On the stall were Laura, Naomi, Ben, Daniel Johnstone, Mary, myself and a couple of others. Despite not drawing huge crowds, it was good fun. After selling a few necklaces and badges, watching a drum performance and a brief parade of the Fairtrade clothing, it was our turn to entertain. We got everyone dressed up in shirts and kangas and all had a go at the songs and dances. Even though I was only vaguely familiar with them, it wasn’t in the least bit embarrassing (even being sung to in Swahili). It’s such a shame that the Tanzanians couldn’t be here, but I think I can speak for everyone when I say we really enjoyed ourselves.
By Alex
Yesterday morning we went to Mary's and had an interview with Stewart from ITV about the Tanzanians not coming. We didn't really know what to expect, but in the end it was fun and an experience! We had separate interviews for about 5mins, but Stewart was really easy to talk and the time flew by. They only ended up showing a clip for about ten seconds! Watching the clip later was FUNNY! Our voices sounded so silly, not at all like us! (or so we'd like to think!!) It was quite exciting and interesting to talk to Stewart about how he produces each news piece, and the high pressure to get a story done in time. Hopefully lots of people will have seen the clip, and will empathise with all of us without our Tanzanians!
By
Catherine & Rachel
It's been as while since I've had the opportunity to help out at a CRCL event, so it was nice to return to doing something with the group. It was great as always to see some familiar faces, a great way to boost group morale and get some work done. Returning members from the 08 group included myself, Rebecca and Tasha. Along side us were Russell, Jeff, Don, Mary, and some new faces, which I couldn't remember to save my life. Besides the usual selling of Tanzanian merchandise, our main job was to collect as many signatures as possible on our petition, spreading even more awareness than usual. I'm not sure of the exact number but we got around 400 signatures, which is good for a day's work. It was great to see that people weren't just signing the petition because they were asked to, people were genuinely concerned about our cause, many had seen the story in the paper. So we know we're doing something right.
Afro-ceilidh on Friday which should be a good one, everyone should be there! Then Don's BBQ is always a treat. But all the while, we know the Tanzanians should be here enjoying it with us.
Bottom: Very tall man signs our petition
Middle: Some traditional Tanzanian dances
Top: Our stall in the main field
Thomas
The Whitehaven News today put our story on their front page, Click here to read. This just goes to show how many people are affected and disappointed by the Tanzanians visa refusal!
The T-Shirts for 2009 are here! With a cool new design, for more details contact us on cumbria.rungwe.cl@gmail.com, hurry and get your own!
* Text on front 'Tunajenga Pamoja (Together we build in KiSwahili) 2009', text on back 'Together we Build' and the website www.crclink.co.uk
Well then guys, today was supposed to be the IT day with the Tanzanians, but because they were DENIED their visas, instead, today has been about thinking of many, many, questions which Jamie Reid is hopefully going to take to Parliament with him. We have also been trying to think of an alternative activity we can do with the local primary schools which were going to get involved with the link.
For this, we thought that we could do a presentation on life in Tanzania and how it differs to life in England, throwing in lots of fun pictures of the groups working together and some hard facts which will hopefully shock the children (like how the Tanzanians actually LOVE school, how little people actually get to go to Secondary Schools).
I think that the questions for Jamie Reid have also been quite successful. We have quite a few, which should hopefully shock the government, and make them change their ways for the future. They include lots of hard facts about what happens, and how their system has made it difficult for the link.
Overall, I think that the day has been a great success. We have a presentation, ready to take to the Primary Schools, Questions for Jamie Reid and a ever stronger group of linkers
By Dominique
After leaving Cleator Moor 9 people went to see Jamie Reed at Egremont Civic hall. Jamie was really co-operative and offered his full support for our cause. He said that it was disgraceful that these circumstances have come about and that he was prepared to raise many questions in parliament on our behalf. He also offered to aid us in our efforts to raise funds so that we could pay back the funds that we have lost and to raise further funds for our trip to Rungwe.
By Ben & Daniel
The day started off with us visiting our first COSC centre in Maryport. It was a huge learning experience, as we had to quickly learn both the lyrics and dance moves to the Tanzanian songs, which we were to perform. Luckily we had 4 members from past years, with previous experience of Tanzanian song and dance, who took the lead and showed us what to do. The dances were met with great enthusiasm, as members of the audience joined in with the singing and drumming. We then enjoyed lunch with the COSC Maryport members, and left at 1 o’clock.
On the bus journey to our second COSC center, we practiced our act, with Becca as our leader. Becca, as we quickly learned is a naturally talented leader with a loud and commanding voice! When we arrived at our second location we were encouraged to dance more enthusiastically than we had done previously. We stepped up to the challenge and produced another good performance, with a stunning guest appearance from the enthusiastic Mary Miller.
Although the Tanzanians were not here, we were able to represent their culture, through song and dance, to the members of COSC. Despite the disappointment, we still learned lots and were able to provide valuable experience and an enjoyable time to the people of the community.
(COSC is a centre for adults with physical disabilities)
By Ben
Georgina Billson had the idea to have a fund raising barbeque at her residence in the picturesque village of St. Bees. Everyone who attended brought £5 to which was given to the Tanzania link and some food and drink for the BBQ.
Music was played and conversation flowed freely around the garden. A number of fundraising games ensued including: a piggy-back race and a coin toss. Daniel was happy to win his keg of beer, although being a kind and generous soul he shared his prize around. All-in-all the evening was a great success, with over £300 being raised, despite the midges bringing the evening to a painful conclusion.
By Daniel
On Tuesday we spent the day at Drigg beach, with help from the Deb and the Harbour Project we had a great day getting to know other people involved with the link. There was a vibrant mix of us, from current youth exchange, past youth exchange, leaders to the dogs…..
We spent the day crossing minefields, cooking sausages on the BBQ, retrieving car keys from a log followed by a treasure hunt, not forgetting the wooden contraptions that we used as shoes “1,2,3…LEFT!”.
A few of the group even ended up in the sea thanks to the beautiful sunshine. After lunch the past youth exchange and leaders began to teach the newbie’s Maria, Timote Sose and Toombogeley songs/dances….. Click here to listen
It was a great day; I met some cool new people who I’m sure I will bump into again soon: D
By Georgina xoxo
You may have already heard the news, but we would just like to confirm that the 2009 Visit is cancelled!
We're at
I was lucky enough to be there yesterday, when we made £158, didn't scare too many small children, and saw some wonderful creativity on happy smiling faces. The team was Emily and Lucy (current youth exchange), Jenny, Amy and Hazel (past youth exchange and now volunteers/ leaders), Becky (Amy's friend - hopefully we'll see more of you) and me. A grand day out.
Mary
The Touch the Truck sponsored event on Saturday was a great success thanks to the hard work of our members and Edgars at Rowrah. The 9am-4pm endurance event in which teams of 4-6 people had to stand and hold onto a ‘truck’ has raised nearly £700 for the Link. A special thank you to Tamzin and her family for organising it.
Over £100 was also raised by Tamzin and Emily's valentines roses sales. Our fundraising is in full swing and there will be more news coming soon.
