2015 Trip – 24 July

Peter:

En route to Tarangire National Park this afternoon – looking forward to the game drive, and the opportunity to see some of the thousands of elephants that Tarangire is so famous for, and maybe even some lions. Tonight is the bush camp, where we camp in the national park, right amongst the wildlife – a memorable experience I’m sure!

This morning we paid a visit to Losingira Primary School – the closest school to our campsite at Meserani. The school only has four classrooms for five year groups, so two year groups each day can only attend school for half the day. When the new academic year begins in January, the school will have six year groups, and it will be even harder to cope with only the four classrooms – what on earth is the Tanzanian government playing at?! The pupils at Losingira School were enchanting – we were the first ‘white’ people ever to visit them, and we shared singing, dancing and games. We also handed over a consignment of resources to the school. Yet again, the young people from Middlesbrough were outstanding in their empathy, genuine warmth and humanity – they are amazing!   

 

Lizzie Nicholson

This morning was the loveliest primary school visit so far! We went to Losingira Primary school only a 20 minute walk from the Snake Park. As soon as we arrived we were greeted with the usual excited but shy faces. Only half the school was present because they only have 4 classrooms. This means that the younger students can only attend school on a morning and the older student on the afternoon.  The students that were present then assembled outside to sing the national anthem and school song and truth be told, it sounded like there wqas two full schools there! They belted it out which was so lovbely because their enthusiasm was contagious. We then looked around their classes and I have never seen anything like it. Everything was so dark and grey it was like a prison: there were no proper windows just holes with bars, the walls had no decoration, and the floor was just dust. It really made me think and emotionally, it was probably the toughest school so far. However, what really gets you is the fact the children are always so happy and eager to be there even though it isn’t a nice environment. At the moment, we are travelling to our next safari camp. Apparently elephants are very common there so I am very excited! I cannot believe that in a weeks time we will be coming home! It is unbelievable how fast it has gone. Two weeks ago the idea of staying in Africa for 21 days with a serious lack of facilities and comfort seemed extremely daunting yet I am so glad and extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to do what I have done. Thank you Mam for this! I love you all and I can’t wait to see you. Big hugs! Xx

 

Jacob Jardine

We took a visit to Losingira Primary school this morning and did the normal activities such as handing out equipment, mingling with the students as well as listening to half of the school sing their song due to that they only have 4 classrooms so that the other half of the school comes in after lunch. At the moment we are on out way to Tarangire National Park and looking forward to the game drive also sleeping out in the bush tonight and listening to the many sounds of different animals. Already 2 weeks into the trip the time has gone so quickly.

Sophie Sidgwick

Yesterday afternoon we did a sports day for the children of Meserani Juu, Lesiraa and Meserani Chini Primary Schools. Because me, Becca and Aaron had been on the trip before we got put in charge of the different activities and organised our duty groups to help. My duty group was on the start line and were responsible for setting up equipment for events and shouting go. It was actually really good and I enjoyed it. A girl that we helped on the last trip, Regina, recognised me and gave me a cuddle which was really lovely. We had our own relay teams and the boys actually beat all of the schools, whereas the girls came third, Jess also joined in with the 100m because she runs and she won that. On the night time we all went down to the bar and met Ma and BJ’s son Len who was in  the quarter-final of Wimbledon, we got to ask him questions which was interesting and he was really cool and laid back. This morning we visited Losingira Primary School, I think it has been my favourite one so far. The children all came out of their classes and sang for us then we got to go into their lessons and help and play games with them. We’re now on our way to Tarengire National Park and are going on a game drive later and doing a bush camp which will be interesting. Missing everyone and love you all. Thanks for this amazing opportunity. J

 

Jess Taylor

Yesterday was a slow start to the day before setting up for sports day. Sports day was fab! And I really enjoyed it! It was crazy to see how competitive the kids get when they’re in competition. Everyone was encouraging me to join in on the 100m so I decided to take part. I couldn’t believe how fast they were! They’re crazy quick!  This morning we woke up really early again and visited losingira primary school which was great! It was my favourite primary school so far as they were so much more confident and chatty! We are now on our way to tarengire national park and going on a game drive later this afternoon. I cant believe how fast time has gone, see you guys soon!

 

Felicity Holden

This morning we went to a new primary school close to the snake park. The kids were so happy to see us it was so sweet, they had prepared songs for us which really touching. I went into one of the younger classes and I was singing twinkle twinkle with them and counting to 100 using bottle tops they were so excited to see us they all had huge smiles on their faces when we gave out pencils and pens but the part that touched me most was the school motto which was ‘education should be given to every child’. This really hit home on what the whole project is about and how lucky we are to have the opportunities that are just taken for granted by so many and how education is the power to do whatever you want to do with your life. It really makes me think about how so many people all over the world don’t have this chance to show their true potential and how education is a life line and that all children all over the world should have the same access to what we take for granted and don’t treasure like we should. So this morning has really been just time to reflect on how I feel about being here. I’m loving my time here and just want to thankyou for giving me the opportunity to come and have this experience, love you lots, kisses xxxxxx

Jenny Readshaw
When we got up this morning we walked to a primary school about 20 minutes away from the snake park. The children had prepared songs for us and sang us them when we got there. We handed out pens and pencils and gave a football to the schools best footballer who was very happy. It’s great to see how happy they are when they get pens and pencils because they don’t take anything for granted. We played some games with them and then walked back to the park. Now we are going to Tarangire to spend the night in a bush camp and go on a game drive. We should see loads of elephants and hopefully some lions. Overall today has been very exciting and I am looking forward to visiting more schools and meeting the children.

 

Helen Roberts

We are on the move again. We are going to Tarangire national park for a bush camp tonight and safari. This morning we walked to a primary school about 20 minutes away from the snake park. This school affected me a lot emotionally because of the conditions that these children had to learn in. the school was built but the government had not supported it very much because it was new. This meant that it only had four class rooms; because of this it meant that only half the school could be accommodated at one time. When we arrived we were informed that only the standards 4, 3, 1, and preschool were in and they would go home at mid day and the other years would come in then. The children we met were so happy and cute they were so happy to be getting an education that I think they were glad to be in school for any length of time. When they sang their school song they were so loud and excited that it made all of us excited to be with them and when we gave them a pen or pencil they started singing again. When I asked what they were singing I was told they were saying something along the lines of ‘even though this is a small gift it is a big gift to us’. These children were amazing they wanted an education so much it was heartwarming. I have found that whilst going to the different schools that all the children want to learn especially the disadvantaged because they know it is the only way to get a better life. They understand this at such a young age it is unbelievable and they all aspire to be great. It makes me think about how I use my time and if I use it wisely enough. i’m looking forward to staying in tarangire because we are hoping to see elephants which we haven’t seen yet. Yesterday we also met a man who was a professional tennis player till 2000 and now coaches. He was the son of the owners of the snake park. When we met him we were told that he had been in the semi finals of Wimbledon one year. He was very interesting and I think there is a picture you can see later on. Hope everyone at home is safe and well. Hope you’re enjoying the summer holidays can’t wait to see you all. Lots of love xxxxxx

 

Daniel Appleton

Last night after my last diary entry I didn’t do much. We did get to meet an ex professional Tennis player who was the son of the camp site owners. Yesterday was mostly preparing for today as we are on our way to a national park where we are going to be sleeping tonight.   

 

Josef Ramsay

 

Today we walked to a local primary school; this was a school that ran out of money half through development so they only have 4 class rooms. When we arrived we were greeted by the preschool kids, year 1, 2 and 3 and they sang there school song and national anthem. After this we give them all a pen or pencil and then went and sat in on some of the classes and it was really an eye opener to see kids using bottle tops to do math instead of calculators. Then we went outside and did the hokie cokey and some games which they enjoyed. We are now on the way to our next destination; I’ll tell you what it’s like in my next diary. Love you.

 

Abi Pentney

On Wednesday I met Sara at Einoti School and she was really happy to see me; I took lots of pictures with her and asked her lots of questions. We spent some time together while they played volleyball and then she said she had to go back to her class. I didn’t want to see her go and she seemed so grateful for what we have done. She said that she wanted to be a teacher like Nick and that she wants to meet him one day- I cried for a bit after because she thought the world of you. Tonight is our bush camp and I’m really looking forward to it! I hope you’re enjoying the sun in Majorca ( it’s really sunny here but I’ve had my factor 50 on!) love you all x

 

Elizabeth Huck

We walked to a local primary school and played games with the children. When we arrived they sang their national anthem and school song, we then sang our national anthem. We gave each child a pen or a pencil which they were so grateful for. We sat in on lessons and in the maths lessons they were using bottle tops as counters which as a real eye opener. Tonight is the bush camp which I am super excited for. Miss you x

 

Aaron Jardine

This morning we got up and packed our bags and tents away as we are now currently on our way to the next safari. However, we did visit a primary school this morning which was really good, they were extremely happy to see us and had even prepared some songs for us. We interacted with the kids, playing with them which were magical, we then gave each child a pencil or pen depending on their age which they were extremely grateful for. Tonight is the bush camp where we get to stay in the middle of a wildlife park which should be amazing, hope you are all well at home, bye.

 

Matthew Naylor

All packed and en route to Tarangerie national park, however we visited a newly constructed primary school which is linked to the amazing Lotty from the snake park. The primary school was amazing the kids were incredibly cute singing some amazing songs and being so appreciated of the things we have left them, we also played loads of games which the kids loved. Now am very excited for the national park, missing home and dad I know about Stewart Downing I told you it would happen 😛 😀 x

 

 

Lewis Jefferson

Time to leave the Snake Park for a couple of days because we’re off to Tarangerie National Park for a bush camp! I’m so excited to hear all the animals during the night; it’s supposed to be amazing. Yesterday was sports day and it went so well, all the kids had so much fun and so did all of us because it was incredible to see the kids so happy and made up by something so amazing made out of simple things. We won the relay, so that was a bonus!! This morning we went to a primary school called Losingera. The children there were all so happy and loud; when they sang the national anthem it blew us away! Then they broke into all kinds of songs that just put a smile on everyone’s face. Anyways, we’re currently on the truck and we’ve got another couple of hours to go, so bye for now! Missing everyone loads, I love you all.

 

Kieran Potter

We had to say goodbye to the snake park for three days this morning as we started our journey to Tarangerie National Park for a night in the bush with some amazing animals. I can’t wait, I doubt ill sleep tonight, I don’t want to miss anything. Before we left this morning we visited one more primary school to give them some equipment and while we were there we played games and sang songs with them. They may not be the best with English but they are still amazing kids. Can’t believe that this is the third week already, its gone so fast and I’ve loved every second of it and I couldn’t wish for a better group to spend my three weeks with. I hope everyone is okay. I love and miss you all loads x

 

Jordan Mace

Today we went to a Primary School called Losingera and met more children. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children after we handed them pencils, tops and books was priceless. It made me feel so happy just seeing the children so excited to see us when we actually arrived. Now we are on our way to Tarangerie which is a Nation Park and is where we camp in a bush camp. I’m so excited to go because we are going to be so close the animals which should be amazing. Anyways I love and miss you all, I can’t wait to see you all. Bye!!

 

Lorna Davison

The sports day yesterday was really good. Our boys won the relay but the girls came 3^rd out of four teams. I ran for the girls which probably didn’t help the team much, as we know, running isn’t my forte. Today we went to another primary school called Losingera where we handed out a lot of our resources as they only have four classrooms and next to no funding. Once we’d done that we went into the classrooms and talked to the children and then we danced together (head, shoulders, knees and toes kind of dancing) and we taught them the hokey kokey and duck duck goose. We walked there and back and now we’re on the truck on the way to Tarangerie where we can stay up all night listening to the animals in the park. should be good! Love you, see you soon xx