Photos

Leaders hard at work

 

Making gift wrapping

Moving top soil

The ablution block foundations



Collecting the building blocks

Birthday in the Bush

Thursday: As I was on base camp, I got the chance to go into town with Cheyenne to choose our meals for the next couple of days, which was quite good fun, especially Mike M's rapping in the car. When we arrived back, we were sent away again, but when I was finally allowed in I was handed a crown and was surprised to see the whole camp decorated with balloons and bunting for my birthday!

After lunch we even got some cake, which pleased everyone at camp. I was given a birthday card, a rhino mug and a Tex bar too, which I was very pleased with, but hope I don't break! The vegetable curry for my birthday dinner was also thoroughly enjoyed by all. It was epic! (according to Anne).
It was also everyone's first opportunity to wash properly, due to the filling up of our water supplies, so that put everyone in a great mood and got rid of their dust lines!

Kirsten

"It's in the container ............."

The container saga continues - that is to say it still isn't with us and we are not sure where it is, we have now been told on 3 different days that it has left Durban!!  Most questions that begin with " Do we have a .....?" Are answered with "It's in the container!"

Our first ceremony in Botswana

Wednesday: In the morning, while some of the team were off collecting bricks, I collected wood to make a cupboard and a wash/shower room.  We had to use a machete to chop the wood and then we wove branches with leaves on to form walls.

Our washroom

 

In the afternoon we practiced singing for our part of the entertainment during the Ground Breaking Ceremony that the Scouts of Botswana had arranged.  It was a struggle to get into our uniform after all it was 44 degrees!!!!

At the ceremony we were made to feel very welcome and it was really nice to see how the Botswanans traditionally do things and also to be involved.  After the ceremony we had a chance to chat to the Botswanan Scouts who were wildly excited about us being involved with their projects and wanted to take pictures of us all.  To end the day we got invited to join their campfire.  They even made the lighting of the fire into a ceremony; they translated their entire ceremonial introduction so we could understand.  The campfire was pure buzzin’ with excitement.  There was lots of laughter and positive vibes - everyone really enjoyed themselves and were pleased to be involved in part of these precious memories. 

Cheyenne

We heard on Wednesday that the container has eventually left Durban and should be with us in the next 7 days – BUT we are not holding our breath!

Today, Thursday having got most of base camp set up and had a couple of meetings with members of the Scout Association of Botswana, we have started work, in earnest, on the project. 

First full day on camp

Tuesday: It was surreal waking up in camp, we had been building up to it for so long and we are amazed we are actually here.  It was great to get to working with the Botswanans, we set up the camp kitchen, they showed me a little trick to do square lashings faster.  It was a bit intense because of the heat.  The experience is everything we expected and a little bit more. 

Mark

The story so far ....

Look how smart we look

Saturday 30th we all gathered at Edinburgh airport ready to start our adventure. A fairly quick flight to Heathrow, not to long to hang about and then on the long haul flight to Jo'burg. Long it was, some slept OK, some slept very little, but what ever the case everyone arrived next morning very tired.

After a few hours in Jo'burg we were eventually taken to our little plane that was to fly us to Gaborone.  Everyone was delighted to arrive in Botswana at last!

After posing for our group photo we made the 3 hour journey to our first stop - Camp Itumela where we were well fed and watered and then had a good nights sleep.  Early start Monday morning to complete the 7 hour drive in our bus that even sardines would have felt squashed in.  Arrived in Maun just in time to get our tents pitched in daylight and then have our meal before retiring quite early for us.

Today is our first full day on site and has been spent mainly getting settled in and setting up base camp and clearing more of the bush.  The advance party have done a great job getting everything ready for us.  More photos and news to follow as soon as possible!

We're in Botswana

The team have arrived safely in Botswana and are now heading for a good nights sleep in Palapye, three hours from the capital Gaborone.

Tomorrow we continue our journey North to the site at Maun where the advance team have been busy getting things ready for our arrival.