Day 3: bus tour

This afternoon we had a wonderful opportunity to visit Kliptown and Brother Bob showed us round the SKY community centre and the area

Day 3: bus tour

Today we are enjoying a bus tour. First stop Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Day 3 Photos: Klipton, Soweto

Day 2: Afternoon antics

After our first lunch together in South Africa (sandwiches, salad, fruit, crisps and yoghurt), we sat down for more hardcore relaxing..by the pool. Some braved the icy pool water again - SL, EH, GM, MW, MA and EB - because they're just crazy. We got some nice pictures by the pool.

We spent ages talking about our initial thoughts, what we're excited about and some hilarious plane antics, which we're sure you'll hear all about. 

One of the assistant Ranger Leaders who is an Assistant Director in the UK has offered to produce a short film for us when we return about our trip. KB showed us some of the camera techniques the leader had given us so we could film each day's activities independently.

We were really excited and got straight to shooting the opening scene... Although we were in fits of laughter, we saw it actually looked really good! We then filmed another scene, 'Take Me Out' style, which was just hilarious (again). 

But the funniest part of the day was definitely when we returned from lunch to find that MG's towel had flown into the pool. And sunk. 

Early rescue attempts failed when we realised, a) it was freezing cold, and b) our qualified lifeguard was busy washing up. Luckily, once our lifeguard had returned, SL saved the day by retrieving the towel. Thank goodness it's quick-drying ;)

HK, SL and EN

Day 2: Planning

This morning we are spending time discussing our lesson plans and working through the crafts, games and activities while some of the group hit the supermarket.

Day 2: Touch down @ Girl Guides of SA National Centre

After a comfy bus journey (in an air conditioned coach!) from the airport, we have safely arrived at the National Centre. After a brief tour of the conference accommodation, shop and facilities we've made home in the 'pink' pack holiday house. Showers, toilets, soft beds etc: we have a wonderful base for the first few nights of our African Adventure.

Some of the group are off to the local supermarket shortly whilst the rest of the team relax by the swimming pool. The sun is shining although not quite enough to heat the pool... It's a bit chilly!

HC

Welcome to Africa!

We've arrived safely, collected our bags and about to get on our bus :-)

Day 1: Ready for Take Off

I am excited to be writing this blog post from over 30,000 feet having just finished some of the tastiest plane food EVER!!!

We made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare and met ARC, MW and HC at our check in area. After putting all of our bags in more bags we were ready to go. 

All checked in, we were escorted to a special security area where we went straight through and were ready for some quality departure lounge perusing. 

To many of the girls delight we came across a Doctor Who Tardis/photo booth. Which entertained us before we tucked into tea. 

We then set off on the typical airport trek to find our gate. It was at the gate it finally sunk in that we were off to Africa and this was real. 

We have already attracted some attention from other flyers as we are sat in the middle of the plane with our blue shirts on taking up almost 3 whole rows of the plane.

Only 8 hours until we touch down in Johannesburg and set off on our first day's activities.

EOK

Travelling

Wouldn't it be nice to get the TARDIS to Jo'burg?

Travelling

We are finally in Heathrow :-)
We enjoyed the tube journey and tried not to knock too many people out with our rucksacks!

Farewell!

After over 18 month's of preparation we are finally off... 

By tube to Heathrow to meet 3 other members of our group. 

Great to see so many friends and family :-)

Packing

After several attempts of packing, I managed to accomplish fitting all the kit and the books we are taking!

Ready to meet up for departure complete with my very own guide bear!!


JB

Here's a shot of Elmer and Stripey Horse packed with a load of donated craft and resources in one of the extra bags we are taking to Zambia and Malawi.
Safe flight ;-)

Countdown

The Facebook Private Group has been going crazy these past few days and the team are very obviously excited! They're checking understanding of kit list items and our arrangements and sharing how much they are looking forward to it.
We then had the following count down timer posted, you can imagine our surprise when the ad for RNLI app  popped up and suggested we needed to find an RNLI Lifeguarded Beach.
It's ok - we have a fully trained lifeguard, thanks, we can go anywhere!!

One week to go...

I can’t believe after many months of planning and preparation we’re in single digits as we count down the days until we fly to Africa! I’m hoping that the blog is a great way for family, friends and supporters to follow us (not in the literal sense, that would be weird) whilst we are many thousands of miles from home. I just tried to Google map how many thousands of miles from home we would be and Google informs it is approximately 8,124 miles from London to our most southerly destination. Although this includes tolls, car transport, the ferry and motorway routes across multiple countries... Thank goodness we are flying!   

When I talk to people about what we are doing this summer (both inside and outside of Guiding) lots of people are surprised at the range of international opportunities available to girls and young women in Guiding. From service projects in developing countries to big international Guide camps across the UK, the possibilities are endless!   

Any adult Leader in Guiding can take girls abroad providing they hold the appropriate residential qualifications. Additional international support is available in the form of the new Girlguiding Travelling Abroad Training (previously GAINING). Travelling aborad in Guiding can offer amazing experiences for girls and adults too. If you are a member of Guiding, why not contact your County International Adviser for more information about how you can be involved in an international opportunity at home or a little further afield... You never know, it could be you blogging like us and Google mapping your route soon!
HC

Lesson Planning

We had a final working party today to go through all the books that we are taking and finalise the Lesson Plans that we have written. We are taking twenty books and are ready to deliver 10 lessons an hour, four hours a day for five days in each school. So that's 200 lessons a week, 400 in total.
Our focus will be on the children reading but in order to bring the books to life we have come up with some games, craft or activity on the theme of the book.
We will then be leaving laminated versions of our lesson plans with 8 copies of each book in Africa so teachers and other volunteers can build on our work.
We each chose a book to take and have made sure we have a variety of difficulties to cater for all reading abilities.

Welcome

We just want to say thank you for stopping by and checking out our blog. We plan to share with you what we are up to as we travel through South Africa, Zambia and Malawi.

Explore what we've been doing over the last 18 months to prepare for our adventure, learn more About Us and keep checking back for updates or subscribe using the gadgets on the right hand side.

The easiest way to follow our updates is to register your email address. On the right hand side you will see a white box which says "Follow Us by Email", simply enter your email address, type in the text which you see in squiggle code and then click on the link that you receive on email. Every update will automatically be sent to your email address.

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Final Preparations

At the beginning July we had our final team day. We went into London to buy badges and gifts for the people we meet in Africa. We were also able to visit the WAGGS world centre in London to learn about guiding around the world. Then we had the last parents meeting to answer any last minute questions where they were issued with their Parent Packs and final payments were received and even more forms were distributed.

MA 

Team Preparation Weekend

We had a brilliant team preparation weekend where we all got together to do various activities. We had an outside speaker from in4mers letting us discover more about HIV/AIDS and the risks that exist and busted lots of myths. We also did lots of team building activities and discussed how to communicate.

We split into three patrols for duties and learnt how to cook on an open fire, wash hygienically and clean properly. 

In the evening we chilled out and had a camp fire with some Scouts camping in the field next to us.

The next day we had the chance to go on some water walkerz which were great fun and learnt how to roast three whole chickens on an open fire :-)








We also spent ages working on the lesson plans and deciding which books we wanted to take with us and the activities we want to try and do given the limited resources we will have. Other members of the group spent time finalising our activities and coming up with some songs and games. 

Fundraising

As a team, we thought of so many different ways to fundraise for our big trip! It included plenty of table top sales and bake sales all through the year, hours of bag packing during the Christmas and Easter holidays and carol singing on a cold Christmas night! We also collected money for sponsored events and used great fundraising websites like ‘easyfundraising.com’. We have worked and worked through every month to help us get closer to the final costs and the countdown is coming to an end as we are getting nearer and nearer to our trip of a lifetime!!! :D
JB

Team Preparation Events

In preparation for our trip to Africa we have had a number of team days and two weekends away. This was to help all of us get to know each other more and help us bond. At these events we also sorted out the books we wanted to take with us and created lesson plans for them so we knew exactly what we would be doing whilst is Africa. Also we had an HIV talk at one of the weekends to help us learn more about it and to solve any questions we had. These team days have helped us all get to know each other greatly and have prepared us for our wonderful trip upcoming.
KC