Its taking me until today to get back into my normal swing of things back in Retford, although i have to say the experiences from our trip are constantly with me and the things i have learnt have changed me so much. I'm missing everyone like crazy and i cant wait till the de-brief day so we can all reunite again, i hope you are all ok :)
I want to thank everyone for making this possible as well, i mean everyone because without their help we all wouldn't of been able to have this oppurtunity and complete our mission. I want to thank Matt, Alex and Sam because they really looked after us out there and they really do care, they are amazing people.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Monday, 4 July 2011
Sunday, 3 July 2011
We're home.
I cant quite put into words all what I want to say and explain but here's my attempt....
We are all back in England and it feels strange.
I think its going to take a couple of days for it to really sink into me what we have achieved as a team.
I'm so proud of us all, there's not enough words to describe how all 13 of us bonded from the first team building day to today when we all went our separate ways. I must admit, I feel quite lost without everyone!
Id like to thank NCHA, Build for Better lives, Habitat for Humanity,African Exposure and everyone who donated to this amazing 2 weeks from the bottom of my heart. I would especially like to thank Sam, Alex, Shaun and Matt, because with out them we would have been lost. There were always making sure that we had drunk water, put suncream on, got up on time, taught us and most importantly to me being there for us 24/7.
It has been an honor to be one of the 9 service users to go and build a home for Princess, to renovate the school in shongewni and meet the people of Umtombo. Ive learnt so much about South Africa, its culture will stick with me for the rest of my live as will the people I have meet and shared the experience with.
I feel that these two weeks have changed me so much and I hope that in the future Build for Better Lives continues to do amazing things with other tenants in South Africa as it is the most amazing feeling in the world to be able to help people and know that as an individual you have made that difference in the world.
CONGRATULATIONS TEAM!!! we did it !!!!
:)
We are all back in England and it feels strange.
I think its going to take a couple of days for it to really sink into me what we have achieved as a team.
I'm so proud of us all, there's not enough words to describe how all 13 of us bonded from the first team building day to today when we all went our separate ways. I must admit, I feel quite lost without everyone!
Id like to thank NCHA, Build for Better lives, Habitat for Humanity,African Exposure and everyone who donated to this amazing 2 weeks from the bottom of my heart. I would especially like to thank Sam, Alex, Shaun and Matt, because with out them we would have been lost. There were always making sure that we had drunk water, put suncream on, got up on time, taught us and most importantly to me being there for us 24/7.
It has been an honor to be one of the 9 service users to go and build a home for Princess, to renovate the school in shongewni and meet the people of Umtombo. Ive learnt so much about South Africa, its culture will stick with me for the rest of my live as will the people I have meet and shared the experience with.
I feel that these two weeks have changed me so much and I hope that in the future Build for Better Lives continues to do amazing things with other tenants in South Africa as it is the most amazing feeling in the world to be able to help people and know that as an individual you have made that difference in the world.
CONGRATULATIONS TEAM!!! we did it !!!!
:)
It's over.
Today we finally got home after 24 hours stuck in Jo'berg. In some ways I'm glad to be home, see family and friends, but in others I miss the new friends and connections I have made throughout this unbelievable experience.
I have seen poverty at an all time low and helped create something magical for an amazing family and one hell of an inspirational woman, a place they can now call home. I have seen how one groups thoughts an ideas can expand and create a safe, carefree environment for amazing kids who deserve nothing but happiness. I have seen fantastic animals in their own environment, unharmed and free. Lastly, I have seen a learning environment that was so old and run down the spark and life within the rooms had disappeared. I have seen that building progress and transform into a safe, clean and happy environment, that children can be proud to learn in and call their school.
All this has happened to me and 12 other brilliant people in just 2 weeks.
In this world day in and day out we are so lucky and privileged we hardly notice and appreciate it. This experience has provided me with a whole new perspective. Thank you NCHA for this amazing once in a lifetime opportunity, thank you Sam, Matt, Alex and Shaun for helping us along this journey and thank you Habitat for Humanity. I hope this becomes a regular thing and can give other people the same amazing feeling i have felt throughout the entirety of this trip.
We made a difference.
WELL DONE EVERYONE!
xxxxx
I have seen poverty at an all time low and helped create something magical for an amazing family and one hell of an inspirational woman, a place they can now call home. I have seen how one groups thoughts an ideas can expand and create a safe, carefree environment for amazing kids who deserve nothing but happiness. I have seen fantastic animals in their own environment, unharmed and free. Lastly, I have seen a learning environment that was so old and run down the spark and life within the rooms had disappeared. I have seen that building progress and transform into a safe, clean and happy environment, that children can be proud to learn in and call their school.
All this has happened to me and 12 other brilliant people in just 2 weeks.
In this world day in and day out we are so lucky and privileged we hardly notice and appreciate it. This experience has provided me with a whole new perspective. Thank you NCHA for this amazing once in a lifetime opportunity, thank you Sam, Matt, Alex and Shaun for helping us along this journey and thank you Habitat for Humanity. I hope this becomes a regular thing and can give other people the same amazing feeling i have felt throughout the entirety of this trip.
We made a difference.
WELL DONE EVERYONE!
xxxxx
Thursday, 30 June 2011
We've only gone and done it!!!
Well what can i say. These past two week have been truly amazing. Don't get me wrong i have missed home but there is no feeling or words that can describe what the team have achieved over the past two weeks.
I am so proud of every single person that has given their all to this experience. The service users have worked really hard throughout the last two weeks, but i can honestly say that i am emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted and i feel that Sam, Matt and Budgie feel the same.
I just want to thank everyone who has followed the blog and shown and interest in our time in South Africa and we can not wait to share our stories, pictures and experiences with you all.
I can not describe what this experience has meant to us all, we have made a lot of friends, been exposed to the extremes; from the poverty and desperation of street children to driving through smoke filled roads due to the burning of sugar cane, and from Princess dancing with joy in her new home and the Principal singing our praises for completing our mission this week, to the hundreds of orphans and reality of deprivation, HIV, and poverty housing.
The successes we have made in this short time has only gone to highlight how much more needs to be done. Many people we have met here long for a better life, and it is up to those who can, and those who can afford to continue, one house at a time, the effort we, NCHA, Habitat and those others determined to eradicate poverty housing forever have already made.
WELL DONE ALL!!!! xx
The story of today (my birthday)
hello this is natalie speaking from the heart.....
so today began with the final day, we had to finish the 3 rooms which we managed successfully, as well as that massive accomplishment we had an afternoon barbecue and watched a cow being slaughtered and butchered in a traditional zulu ceremonial ritual in preparation for the pastor's marriage. I was treated to a happy birthday song from the local children which was absolutely great, there faces really made my day as they were smiling and singing to me...it has to be the best happy birthday song ever sung to me...after that we played football with the team at the centre which was a challenge but a good laugh at the same time. When the food was ready we sat and had our last meal in Africa together, and after that i was surprised with a birthday cake which topped my day up, the cake was lovely and i really appreciate the amount of effort everyone went to to make my birthday a great day, thank you every one, lots of love nat.
so today began with the final day, we had to finish the 3 rooms which we managed successfully, as well as that massive accomplishment we had an afternoon barbecue and watched a cow being slaughtered and butchered in a traditional zulu ceremonial ritual in preparation for the pastor's marriage. I was treated to a happy birthday song from the local children which was absolutely great, there faces really made my day as they were smiling and singing to me...it has to be the best happy birthday song ever sung to me...after that we played football with the team at the centre which was a challenge but a good laugh at the same time. When the food was ready we sat and had our last meal in Africa together, and after that i was surprised with a birthday cake which topped my day up, the cake was lovely and i really appreciate the amount of effort everyone went to to make my birthday a great day, thank you every one, lots of love nat.
On behalf of the team (ash, nat,emma,tash, dan, tom, josh, ant and my self) for the opportunity that NCHA & BFBL have given us. We would also like to thank all are sponsors cause if it wasn't for them we don't think we would have been able to get as far as we did. The team would also like to thank all are team leaders (MAT, ALEX,SAM) if it wasn't for the team leader i think we wouldn't of stuck out the tasks set forth.and a very big thank u to Amon (HFH) and one final thank you to the African Exposure team (Gavin, Bob, Alfie and Carl) so thank you to everyone that gave us this experience and opportunity to do what we have been given. THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!
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