23rd and 24th July 2024 - Zim Coaching and Community Work

 23rd July 2024

By Olivia Scharinger

Today, after we got ready, we had breakfast (which was so yummy) and then a couple of groups went to the old peoples home, whilst the others, including  mine, went to do training.
The first group was normal, but for the second, we had load of children so me and a couple of others had to play games with some of them.  It was actually really fun.
At the end, we also met a really cute 4 year old boy who gave us all hugs.

After training, we all had lunch at the old peoples home, which was nice.  Then some groups left to do training whilst mine and some others stayed.  My group was doing painting, which I thought was really fun and satisfying.  It was really hot though so we went to sit inside for a bit.  When we finished, we all went back to the campsite, had showers and chilled for a bit before going out to dinner.
Dinner was the best thing ever!  When we got there, the place was really nice and so was the music.  After a bit, our food came and some people came out who sang songs and danced for us.  It was very traditional too which was nice!  They also sang part of the South African National Anthem 'Nkosi Sikelel Afrika' so that made me think of my dad. :)  After dinner, we all did some drumming and a dance battle sort of thing.  It was so much fun! 

Before leaving, we all danced and sang to lots of songs.  It was definitely my favourite night so far.  We then came back to the campsite and everyone went to bed.

Also, Happy Birthday for yesterday (as we are uploading it tonight - sorry Josh!) I hope you had the best day and I am sorry I couldn't be there, I love you and miss you all loads! xxx

By Emma O'Brien

To start off our second day at Sizinda Campsite we had a lovely breakfast as always, followed by the group being split into two.  Half of us coaching at different schools and the other half completing various jobs around a local care home.  Then in the afternoon we swapped round.  I really enjoyed doing both today - in the morning getting to interact, teach and learn from the kids feels very rewarding - to then in the afternoon scrapping plaster off a wall (which once you got the hang of it wasn't too bad). 
In the late afternoon we came back to camp to have a well deserved rest and shower, at this point we all started to get ready for dinner because we went out to a restaurant near by, as we were driving the sun was sitting and I cannot explain how beautiful it is here.  Dinner was a nice reminder of home followed by an African drum lesson, this lead us to be in charge of the music for a while as well.
All of us had a great time singing and dancing, overall today was one of the best so far but of course I am missing my family and friends back home. 
Love you all to the moon and back,
Emma xx

24th July 2024
By Lexi Rumsey

Today we all woke up at 7am and had toast with fruit for breakfast.  We then got ready and split into our groups to either carry on the community work or coach.  At 12 we then all came to the care home for lunch.  We then swapped over jobs so I was painting the flowers on the walls at the care home with Grace.  
After that everyone drove to go to see the Baobab Tree which was massive! Then we came back to the camp, showered and had dinner.  
Also Happy 50th Mum!!! Miss you, dad and Lola. Hope Scotland has been amazing so far!

Love Lexi xx

By Oli Rumsey

I was woken up by George Beal going for a shower at 5am.  Breakfast was beans on toast and porridge.  We set out at 8am to go brick laying and build chicken coops.  We painted flowers onto the other finished chicken coops which was great.
Lunch was at 12.30 which everyone finished quickly.  My group went to go coach in the afternoon.

When we thought we were going home, we were taken to the big tree, Baobab Tree.  It was 1200 years old and has been an important part in Zimbabwean culture.  We then went back to camp, where we finished the day off with dinner and a game of Scategories.

P.S.
Happy Birthday Mum, miss you and dad and Lola xxx