End of programme BBQ

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

'Wish You Were Here' Ceilidh

We had loads of people for the wish you were here ceilidh - incuding students and/ or leaders from 1990, '92, '98, 2000, '02, '04, '06, '08, and the newbies. That was impressive. And lots of people who have been involved over here without going to TZ as well.
 
Our 08 students were out in force and did 'Tanzania the musical' for everyone - but Mark was at home poorly.

By Mary

It was great to see so many people from the community turned out to this one, and to see the group of UK students who went to TZ last year! Tanzania: The Musical was really funny, and they have totally inspired us to become such a tightly-knit group, to live up to their reputation of being the best group so far

I enjoyed yet another excuse for Tz dancing! It was great to get involved in some Barn dancing as well, and was great to get to know the UK students from West Lakes Academy, who I hadn't really had a chance to bond with before.

By Naomi
 

It was a lot of fun to not just see people from this year's link but from past links all at the ceildh enjoying themselves. It was an enjoyable night that had so many different types of music.

It showed different culture's music throughout the night.

By Lucy

More on the Fairtrade Fashion Show

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

Fairtrade Fashion Show at St Benedict's School

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 

CRCL on ITV Border News

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

Whitehaven Carnival & Our Petition

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.

Pictures

Bottom: Very tall man signs our petition

Middle: Some traditional Tanzanian dances

Top: Our stall in the main field

Badaye,

Thomas

Even Mr Burns is Dissapointed

We have just found our story published on teletext!

Support from our Local Paper

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!

T-Shirts 2009

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

Evaluation and Planning Day

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

Visiting our Local MP Jamie Reed

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

Music Day at COSC Centers

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

Georges BBQ Fundraiser

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