2012 Trip Blog

Well, we fly on Friday so make sure you keep an eye out for updates on
the 2012 Trip Blog!

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Wetherspoons Meeting

In a more relaxed setting than usual, we all met to finalise and present lesson


plans. However it was a case of getting in drinks (non-alcoholic, I assure) with

meals with everyone. We were given out our hoodies, with some very interesting

colours selected by some individuals. You know who you are. We later went into

our seperate lesson groups, which were Sports and the Olympics, English and

Science. We discussed our lessons, and were then mixed into groups where there

was a representative from each lesson into 1 group. Once the science group had

finished their lengthy lesson plan, we moved onto various other topics that

would face us in Tanzania. Once this was cleared up, we were relieved of our

duties, we left the last formal meeting of the 2010-2012 group in the UK. Next

is packing night on Tuesday 10th July, and then it is the trip to Tanzania.



Tom B

2012 Beach Clean

Today we we’re out in St. Bees cleaning up all the litter and debris which was scattered along the beach. We all assembled at the beach front and were allocated one of two jobs from the Don, bag holder (I was a bag holder, it’s a very important job! :D) or litter picker, we then formed little groups of three to get the job done faster!

Each group started on a different bit of the beach, which wasn’t all that messy. But then we got further along, nearer the beck where there’s some construction work going on, and the hard work really started… for the pickers. I’m just kidding, we all got stuck in an we found a number of peculiar things.

Holly kept finding bits of clothing and had me convinced that someone had been murdered on the construction site. Then Crosby couldn’t keep himself from finding the only tampons in the litter, sigh*… I think a few people had a points game going on to find the most obscure things in the litter. But all in all we got a load of bin bags filled and came out feeling more helpful than we did going in :)

It was quite a fun day and one of the last days we were all together before we finally set off to Tanzania! Personally I can’t wait! And I’m sure everyone else is feeling the build-up of excitement too! :D

Chantelle x

Session at Karen Greene's

Once we had all arrived at St Bees and at Karen Greene's house. We were quickly assembled into several groups that would cover certain topics that covered a broad amount of subjects. We were given a lengthy period of time to write on a A1 piece of paper as much as we know about a possible issue in Tanzania, so for instance, with Malaria something that a group noted was that early symptoms were feverish kind of feelings. We also had to write any questions we may have had about a particular topic so they could be answered later by Karen. Soon after we started, we were slowed to a crawl as chocolate cake and drinks were brought through as a treat for us all. Which was nice.


Once we had finished our chocolate cake but more importantly the sheets, they were clipped to the flip chart and talked through. We discussed monkeys and dogs how they could give us infections and rabies as well as other conditions like hepatitis. As well as insects and other animals such as snakes. The obvious answer to these dilemmas were things like no holes in mozzie nets, wear long sleeve clothing at dawn and dusk. As well as taking medication and the obvious stuff. Also apparently, (not sure if this works) but the solution to a snake attack (and I quote) 'If you see a snake. Do not let it bite you'.

Other Issues such as sunstroke was discussed too. We went into sun burn and sun stroke, and found that symptoms of sun stroke could be; headache, light headedness, dehydration, and even in severe cases unconsciousness. Solution? Sun cream, get shade if needed, water. Genius.

We also went into detail about 'Food Hygiene'. We found that being bunged up can affect the visit to Tanzania, caused by dodgy food, or cooking facilities, so we were advised to clean regularly, and always be sure when dealing with foods. Drink too was on the agenda. (Water, don't get exited). We were given logical advise, of to always check the water, and that if a Tanzanian was to offer water then to turn it down due to our immune system being rubbish. As well as making sure it's sterile etc. etc...

Other than this we talked about Allergies, first aid amongst other things. About how to stab me with an epi-pen and what not. But I'll be showing you all at packing night with one anyway so that's all fine. Regards to the first aid we were all on a course a while ago, so we 'should' be covered for that, just don't panic in a situations, the obvious.





Other than this, as we were all about to set off to go watch the not-so-mighty England, before we started talking about malaria tablets and what not. LARIUM TAKERS SHOULD HAVE STARTED BY NOW! So with Karen's son waiting eagerly in the kitchen for the game, we set off home. Missing the first goal by Big ol' Andy Carroll.





The End....
Beggers

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