Day 7 in the Dreams and Teams House By Judith and Chloe

This morning we went back to the school to exchange sports skills. The girls were shown how to play netball by the Malawian girls and the boys taught the Malawian boys how to play rugby. We arrived just before 10 to start at 10, however we didn't start till 11 due to their extreme lack of organisation - a few people in the group were getting hacked off by this, AKA Kirsty! We now have discovered that an African minute is one and a half of ours!!!

The girls netball team is 5th in the world and us losing 10-5 was something to be proud of! Dayne looked like he was getting on fine but the guys didn't seem to get the whole tackling thing HAHA!

This afternoon we travelled 2 hours to an orphanage (Which they told us was 1 hour away...yet again) which was the same one that Madonna adopted her son David from. We were greeted with singing from the children that aged from 1 to 18 years old. It was the most heart-breaking thing we'd ever seen, especially when the girls were asking if we were going to be their new mummies. The journey home was a very tearful one as you can imagine.

On a lighter note, Chrissie the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Malawi who has been our escort for most of the trip, invited us back to her house for dinner and to meet her family. It was really nice as they made us feel really, really welcome.

Tomorrow is the start of our sports festival (wish us luck!). Until then ..........

J & C xx

p.s - As you can see from the girls report today has been an emotional roller coaster , they have not exagerated when they say that the trip to the orphanage was the most heart- breaking moment of our trip so far. However the Nairn pupils once again did you all proud - everyone of them had at least one little child hanging onto some part of their body - not a dry eye in the bus on return - I hope the photos give a clear picture - but it was one of those moments when you really had to be there - Elizx

Day 5/6 in the Dreams and Teams House by Dayne and Lauren

Yesterday we took the Malawians to Lake Malawi, for some it was there first time. We picked 12 Malawian pupils and 3 teachers up from Chipasula and started our 2 hour drive to the Lake. On the way to the Lake we stopped at a typical village where we witnessed the true poverty of Malawi. Children suffering from malnutrition with ripped clothing. We produced bannanas from our bus and gave them to the children who did not grab but were grateful to recieve such a little thing. Also later during the journey we stopped to see how they made the bricks they used to build houses and other buildings, these people were planning to build a church. Both areas were grateful for our arrival even with no notice, one even greated us in song. On our arrival to the Lake we had our lunch and we witnessed how our cultures differed so much, we set out lunch and foolishly stood back and let OUR GUESTS have first choice which we should of knew was a bad idea when Callum offered some chocolate to the boys on our bus and we never even saw the chocolate again the one boy ate all but 6 squares, all we were left with was 6 slices of bread and 7 crisps!!!!! Most of the boys and the Malawians played football on the beach, while the girls topped up their tans or burns in some cases (Chloe!!!!!). Once the Malawians had gone home we relaxed by the pool which was desperately needed as we had no energy due to the lack of lunch!! The views from rooms and the pool were beautiful. Dinner was not as good as Simon's home cooked meals at Heuglins but the portions were bigger than lunch!

After a great nights sleep, some crazy people went for an early morning dip in the pool! We then went off to church, it was a Belter far better than any british church. We were all dancing and singing especially the boys (clowns), we were doing some strange version of the Maccarena. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool relaxing before "Back to work tomorrow" On the road home we stopped at some stalls, great banter. We all had to barter for our gifts, Chloe fell out with one of the Shop Keepers and Dayne is number 1 barterer!! All in all it was a fantastic couple of days with lots of different experiences, we are now exhausted from doing nothing and are back at home where we have had a good meal!!!

Cal and Ash - 3rd Day in Dreams and Teams household

Hows it going Nairnites??
In the 3rd day now, everything is going good! Having a belter of a time! We were at Chipasula Secondary the day and delivered our Sports Leader Course to the girls. It was a great day and they all seemed to enjoy themselves. Just about to go and chuck Donuts in the pool for watching PBM! hahaha!! Looking forward to heading to the lake tomorrow for a sly bit of relaxation. Should be a belter of a weekend! The weather has been DECENT!! Unfortunately some of us didnt put the sun cream on (aka Chloe Pink Legs!!) catch yas later!! take it easy! Cal and Ash

Contact number for Heuglins Lodge

00 265 1795 364 - this is a direct line to Heuglins. We are off to the Lake tomorrow but will be back at Heuglins on Sunday night - meanwhile contact via my mobile is still an option. Eliz

Day 2 in the Dreams & Teams House

Hello Nairn & outlying areas!!
Sorry for delay in posting - the webpage has been playing silly .......!!!
Today we delivered the Sports Leader Award to 50 male Malawian students. It was a truly heart warming experience - the malawian students were so appreciative of our Sports Leaders and their ability. I am writing todays blog as I think you have to know superb your sons/ daughters carried out their task. It was very difficult - particularly as a group of the boys did not have very good English - but they rose to the occasion and non verbal communication took over - success! I really wish you could have seen the guys in action and I hope I have captured the moment in photo's. Delivering a Sports Leader Award and teaching parachute games to African youngsters in 28 degrees is a dream come true for me - and I think your youngsters will report huge satisfaction on return. Tomorrow we continue to make Malawi youngsters More Active More Often - and thanks go to Vince @ Coaching Highland for making this happen - Elizx

Day 1 in the Dreams & Teams House

Hello everyone!

This is Chloe and Lauren giving you the low down on the goings on in our house. Today was Day 1 and after a nice long cosy sleep, we were up and away to Chipasula Secondary School. Our first impressions were WOW! When we all got off the bus all the kids were scared off ( i think it was Mr Maclennan haha) but after some persuasion, they all came round and started sayin "We want to be your friends :)". They loved getting their picture taken and wanted a picture with all of us. After the school drove for an hour (on a very long dirt track) for a cultural experience in a village. We were treated like royalty and we were known as 'high-powered people'. To all parents out there, this is how we expect to be treated on return ;). People came from villages as far away as 6miles just to see us. They danced, sang and scared the s*** out of us with their tribal dancing in masks!!

Tomorrow we are heading back to Chipasula Secondary to deliver our 1st day of the Sports Leader Award.

Until tomorrow...

C & L xx

Hooray

We are here, all in one piece and raring to go!!!!

Welcome to the Nairn/Malawi 2008 Blog site

Welcome to the Nairn/Malawi 2008 Blog site