The pictures from today are taking forever to upload. - Shall attempt 1 at a time - please look through them.
Just for the record - today was the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed - Lost for words - will let the photos do the talking
Monday, 20 June 2011
Day 1
Just having breakfast and ready to go to site. Photos are proving difficult to upload to the blogsite, we shall keep trying this evening.
Please read all the blogsite this evening, we shall encourage all service users to upload thier thoughts - I suspect emotion overload today.
Please read all the blogsite this evening, we shall encourage all service users to upload thier thoughts - I suspect emotion overload today.
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Thoughts and Feelings
After a 14 hour journey and feeling physically and emotionally drained we finally arrived in Durban. We were met by the Habitat for Humanity Rep, Carl, who drove us to our hotel. During the car journey we were allowed time to absorb the reality in which poverty is affecting people.
As it is our first time to South Africa it has really hit home what role we will have in this experience. We could clearly see a divide in poverty and wealth, being just across the road from each other. Carl told us a little on the history of the economics of South Africa which was proven to us when a car full of people being illegally driven came by as it was obviously over crowded with people who couldn't afford there own public transport.
As well as that the shacks in which we saw families living in really hit home on how lucky our economic well being is in the UK. We feel that this is going to be an extremely emotional but worth while trip and after our first hand view today we just can't wait to start the build.
We feel that the team are bonding really well, we are talking amongst ourselves about the positives we want to make on peoples lives here in South Africa.
Written by Alex H and Natalie
As it is our first time to South Africa it has really hit home what role we will have in this experience. We could clearly see a divide in poverty and wealth, being just across the road from each other. Carl told us a little on the history of the economics of South Africa which was proven to us when a car full of people being illegally driven came by as it was obviously over crowded with people who couldn't afford there own public transport.
As well as that the shacks in which we saw families living in really hit home on how lucky our economic well being is in the UK. We feel that this is going to be an extremely emotional but worth while trip and after our first hand view today we just can't wait to start the build.
We feel that the team are bonding really well, we are talking amongst ourselves about the positives we want to make on peoples lives here in South Africa.
Written by Alex H and Natalie
We're here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We`ve finally arrived we got here safely...... the plane wasnt as bad as i thought i was dreading it the closer we got to heathrow.........it was a long flight followed by an extra hour waiting because of the pilots seat wasnt right.......but Africa is truly breathtaking....On the way from Durban airport we saw some of the house`s that have been built by habiat for humanity...then you soon realise that poverty is there and its bigger than you think i dont no how many houses we passed that were for poor or homeless families......... I just hope everyone back at England is ok..... Miss everyone.......
We're here!!!
I cant believe it, in all honesty. Were here at last!
The journey outbound has been quite long and tireing but we have all got here safely :)
The flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg went better than I expected and we only had a minor delay at Johannesburg to Durban which we didn't mind :)
The trip from the airport to the B & B has already been a massive eye opener as you can plainly see a differences between poverty and wealth, and sometimes they are only a town away from each other.
Im glad Ive had a shower and freshened up as I was starting to smell!!We have also just been very well fed and watered by the hosts at the B&B :)
We're having a meeting with Habitat for humanity in a bit which is awesome, as I am ready to get stuck in to work.
The journey outbound has been quite long and tireing but we have all got here safely :)
The flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg went better than I expected and we only had a minor delay at Johannesburg to Durban which we didn't mind :)
The trip from the airport to the B & B has already been a massive eye opener as you can plainly see a differences between poverty and wealth, and sometimes they are only a town away from each other.
Im glad Ive had a shower and freshened up as I was starting to smell!!We have also just been very well fed and watered by the hosts at the B&B :)
We're having a meeting with Habitat for humanity in a bit which is awesome, as I am ready to get stuck in to work.
We have arrived!
The Build for Better Lives team have safety arrived at the trade winds accommodation. Luggage has been placed in the room and we are now sharing a wonderful lunch with Carl and Bob from Habitat for Humanity and Pam and June from the Tradewinds B and B.
The journey has gone with military precision, with the exception of the plane from Johannesburg to Durban - The pilots chair had to be changed (honest!)adding an hour to the final part.
2 of the Service Users have never flown before - so talk about throwing them in the deep end - but no concerns at all.
On our Journey to the accommodation we have already witnessed affluent housing to the right of the motorway - and poverty stricken townships to the left, quite an amazing yet difficult concept to understand at this early stage.
I think its about 13.30 here at the moment - I'll be honest - it could be midnight on Christmas day for all anyone knows at the moment...Everyone will spend the next hour unpacking and freshening up - ready for our Habitat for Humanity brief at 15.30hrs.
We shall update later.
The journey has gone with military precision, with the exception of the plane from Johannesburg to Durban - The pilots chair had to be changed (honest!)adding an hour to the final part.
2 of the Service Users have never flown before - so talk about throwing them in the deep end - but no concerns at all.
On our Journey to the accommodation we have already witnessed affluent housing to the right of the motorway - and poverty stricken townships to the left, quite an amazing yet difficult concept to understand at this early stage.
I think its about 13.30 here at the moment - I'll be honest - it could be midnight on Christmas day for all anyone knows at the moment...Everyone will spend the next hour unpacking and freshening up - ready for our Habitat for Humanity brief at 15.30hrs.
We shall update later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)