Rachel Moyes - My Cape Town Experince

I think that it's fair to say that this South Africa trip has been one of the biggest adventures that any of us will ever be on in our entire lives, and for that we have a lot to be thankful for. We should be thankful for the opportunity presented by the teachers, the kindness of those who paid for us to be here, and the persistence of all the others who made it happen and come together into this wonderful trip that we will undoubtedly remember for the rest of our lives. 

I wanted to go on the trip initially because I thought that it would be an amazing experience that would enrich the lives of both the people in our groups from Balwearie and the kids at Welcome. It turned out to be exactly that!

I think it's changed me in the sense that I'll be wiser and will be more understanding of people's circumstances and opportunities. My favourite part was the primary school visits, since it was the perfect opportunity to help the children who are less advantaged and bring them a little bit of joy with something so simple - literally just reading them a book or colouring in with them or messing about with some flour. 

I would definitely return to Cape Town in the future if I had the chance. 

Karolina Damaszk - My Cape Town Experience

Oh ya mate!

 

There is really no way of describing how life changing this whole experience has been. These past 10 days have been the best days of my life. 

 

If someone was to ask me "How was Cape Town?" There wouldn't be a way that I could explain how I am feeling right now after spending a day of saying good bye to our friends at Welcome and reflecting on this whole experience. Of course the easiest answer would be that it was amazing but I truly don't think that 'amazing' describes all the feelings in my heart at this very second. 

 

Let me start of with all the tourist stuff we did. Seeing Robben Island,  Table Mountain, the Water Front has made me fall in love with Cape Town. It's beauty and the life in it has made it so much harder for me to say good bye as I have never been to or seen anything like Cape Town. There is one sentence that I have seen a lot driving around Cape Town and it says:    "You don't need a holiday, you need Cape Town"

I really cannot put it better myself, no holiday can compare with what I have experienced in Cape Town. 

 

Visiting Welcome Primary School, working with GCU and going on a Langa township tour has made me appreciate the things that I have so much more as I got to see that people have to live in little huts made out of scrap metal just so they can have a roof over their head. It made me realise how silly I have been by complaining about the littlest things when people even in countries so developed like South Africa still don't have access to running water. I truly think that after experiencing and seeing with my own eyes, not just through photos or videos, how unequal the world is I will try and help out those in need. 

 

As for Welcome, well I would've never imagined how much I would grow to love all the children and staff there.  Each and every one of the amazing children and staff that I had the honour of spending my days with at Welcome have become very important  people to me. With really very few resources at hand, and not much money, they have managed to make such a difference in other people's lives just through love and determination. Every one of those kids have dreams and goals that they want to fulfill and want to stick to which is so inspiring to me as they never give up. There have been so many moments where I just wanted to give up, but people like the kids and staff at Welcome or Mario and his wife Michelle, have shown me that you can't ever give up as you can always reach your goals if you work hard. 

 

Oh Mario, after hearing McGuck talk about how amazing and incredible he is I was expecting so much and really I wasn't at all surprised when I saw the masses of people coming to Woodlands just to work with GCU and do things like football, extreme skipping, soft ball and baseball. I really cannot believe a person would set up a non profit organisation   just to keep young people out of trouble and off the streets. It is hard to imagine just how kind hearted Mario is because after spending only a few days with him  I have grown to love him so much. Although he may not love us as much as we have embarrassed him in front of a mass of people at table mountain by serenading him with a few songs (sorry, not sorry). 

 

As to Boothy, Airlie and Murdy, well there is no way I could explain how mind blowing it was to be able to spend these 12 days with them. From walking around airports, to hiking up mountains, to making sure we don't pass out from heat exhaustion they have been the most caring, funny and enthusiastic people on this trip. From singing along to songs to cutting  some shapes on the buses they have never failed to put a smile on my face even when I thought I was going to pass out from deoxygenation. I have become so attached to them that it'll feel weird having breakfast with no one telling me to put sun spray on or walking through town with no one telling me the 'interesting' facts about everything and anything we can see. I would just really like to thank the three wonderful teachers for being patient with us, helping me with everything and just being part of the Capetoniants. 

 

My dear Capetoniants, thank you so much for this experience because to be honest I wouldn't want to be with anyone else. That is all I have to say as I have no words for how amazing you guys are. I love you guys. 

 

Now for Mcguck. I really cannot describe how thankful I am for all that he has done for us, without him I wouldn't be here and without him this link between Welcome and Balwearie wouldn't exist. Although I may not say it out loud because I am not one to tell others how I feel (so it's pretty hard writing this) but I honestly think he is the most inspiring person that I know as he has worked so hard from the very beginning and probably stressed himself out a lot but never has he complained about anything. I just really cannot put into words how happy I am that he made all of this possible for me and the other 14 people that have come on this trip. Although he is very sarcastic  and thinks he's funny (but isn't!) he has been so kind and encouraging to us all and for that  I don't know what to say. Thank you Mcguck for all that you have done for us, these 12 days have been the best days of my life and I will never forget them. 

 

Thank you to all the people reading this blog. You make people aware of this link and by that you are helping us make a change.

 

So there it is a summary of how Cape Town has been for me.

Mr Booth - My Cape Town Experience

A is for Africa 

 

It has been 12 days of acronyms. From  the safari BRELL to TIA (This Is Africa - used to describe those situations when what happens differs considerably from what was planned; it was used a lot!) and NTS (Not Too Shabby - describing, with due Scottish reserve, all excellent experiences).

 

It has also been 12 days of strong contrasts: poverty and wealth, mountains and cities, vineyards and townships, laughter (lots) and tears (today as we said goodbye).

 

Those 12 days have also seen a lot of introductions. In my case to a country, abseiling, biltong, and the horror of the song Wrecking Ball being played at deafening levels while speeding from A to B in a minibus. But also to lots of fantastic people, including the staff at Welcome and the GCU. Mario and Michelle are at the heart of the community here, tirelessly working to help those less fortunate and putting time and expertise into the local schools to support youth development. Their commitment is crucial to the link and their warmth and initiative a real inspiration.

 

Finally, I would say that in the main it has felt like 12 days of beginnings - the start of something real. Steve McGuckin is due great credit for putting in the endless hours of work required to make this all happen (although this has to be weighed against his love for the music of Miley Cyrus...). As a result, we now have a link. And for me the best thing on this trip has been the kids. Both groups of pupils have done their schools proud - just so full of life, fun and possibility as they have thrown themselves into this link. Even a cynical Scottish teacher (I know, it is hard to imagine those words together) or two have found it hard not to be moved by the pupils' enthusiasm. But of course the difficult bit is not the intense and exciting days we spend here, it is sustaining and developing the link in a way that is purposeful and rich. So pick your metaphor: a seed planted, a flame lit, a chapter started. Whatever, the wheels are turning and the link between our schools is looking NTS.

 

Mr Booth

Jennifer Spence - My Cape Town Experince

My trip

 

The past 10 days have been the most amazing of my life and ones that I will never forget.  The many memories I have made will stick with me and will take a lot to beat! I loved every part of the trip however the first day stood out for me as it was our first experience of Cape Town and how friendly the people are, the heat and how cheap everything is! The Langa Township tour really put into perspective how much we have at home and to appreciate the things that we have more. 

 

I was blown away by how welcoming the primary school were towards us. Both teachers and staff were so enthusiastic to learn about Scotland and our own personal lives. The generosity and kindness they shared was very humbling and it was so sad to leave. I am looking forward to continuing the link with Balwearie and Welcome Primary and getting the whole of Balwearie involved. 

 

The experiences we have encountered are unforgettable but would not have been as great without such a fantastic team. The Blue team have made me laugh harder than I ever have before but also given a shoulder to cry on when times were emotional. The memories we have made together whether it is laughing so hard at dinner or abseiling off table mountain are ones that I will treasure.

 Also having teachers who were so generous, caring and funny made the trip a whole lot better. A big thanks to Mr McGuckin who made this whole trip possible and put up with team blue! 

 

Jennifer Spence  Group2

Leon Haig - My Cape Town Experience

  

 

This trip has been brilliant! From start to finish I believe I have changed both emotionally and mentally for ever. The whole trip, and all the people involved, have made it the perfect and the best experience of my life so far. One of the major highlights of this trip was meeting all the fantastic pupils and staff of Welcome primary school. 

Not knowing us and acting so welcoming when we first met them brought a warm feeling to us, the likes of which I have never felt before. Yet another life changing experience was working with the GCU, an organisation created by Mario to better the lives of kids within the Heideveld township. The GCU provides opportunities for kids to do sports, dance, and other activities to keep them off the streets and on the right path. I particularly enjoyed playing and supporting the children at baseball while attending the GCU. 

   I would also like to give a special thanks to Mr McGuckin for giving us such a breathtaking experience that little others could offer. I wouldn't often say this but Mr McGuckin has really gave me, and I'm sure others feel the same, something that we will cherish and remember till the day we die. 

   When I get back to Scotland I am very much looking forward to building up the link between Balwearie and Welcome primary school through the years to come. I hope to achieve this both through Balwearie high school and through my own initiative. Yet another issue I wish to address back home is the false portrait that the media paints of the culture and life that exists in South Africa.   

Gemma Wallace - My Cape Town Experience

When thinking about my experience in Cape Town, there is so much I could say, but I will only say what everybody else will say, that this whole experience has been amazingly unforgettable and I know for sure that I'll always remember everything. My views have been widened and I feel like a kinder person because of the magical sights I've seen and the great people I have bonded with and met. 

Over the last 10 days I have seen and done things I never imagined myself doing, and every single thing I have done has been absolutely perfect! The kids at Welcome Primary were just fantastic and they're always going to be in my heart, I'll miss them so much, just like I'll miss the closeness between the amazing 14 other students and 4 teachers I was lucky enough to spend my time with. 

I can't even put into words how brilliANT this trip has been and I'm so thankful that I have been a small part of it, to make such an impact on people's lives gives me a really indescribable feeling of proudness and happiness that will stay with me forever. 

Gemma Wallace - Group 2 :}

Anna Fong - Cape Town Experience

Honestly, words cannot explain the experience that I have had during the last ten days in Cape Town with Team Blue.

Firstly, and I know everyone in this group is thinking it, I wish we had more time to spend in South Africa with each other and the children. The ten days have gone by so quick yet it feels like we've been here for much longer.

It's crazy to think that all of this started two years ago with our third year selfs being told about this link and being interviewed. I was gutted when I found out I wasn't going but luckily, six months before October 2014, I was called out of maths to go to Guckin's office and was offered the chance to go!

I'm glad that we still managed to make this like a holiday as we did amazing touristy things like Table Mountain, Aquila Safari, banter filled buses, high tea with Mols, Gem, Rikke, Leon, Airlie and Guckin, and the list goes on and on. There has not been one night that we've had together that has not been filled with laughter and so many jokes and new songs have been created between us all.

A lot of this journey has been so life changing for all of us, especially me, as I have now gained a lot more confidence than I had before and now I've seen the townships in real life and the conditions that a lot of people have to live in. It just showed me how much we take things for granted while they have close to nothing but are still the happiest and nicest people ever.

Although we were only at Welcome Primary for four days, one of them being the farewell, I feel as though I have managed to find new friends, and the children at both Welcome and Woodlands are the most amazing kids ever. I hope some of the kids' ambitions come true as many told me that they wanted to be doctors, although one told me she wanted to be a mermaid... The farewell was really emotional, almost everyone was crying their eyes out. I cried for a bit although I soon ran out of tears. I am so grateful for Mr Jacobs allowing Balwearie to create this amazing link which I hope will continue for a long time.

Mario and his friends have done so well at organising GCU for all the kids, which was a lot of fun with all the different activities. Mario and his wife, Michelle, are also terrific and so lovely and have done a fantastic job at helping their local community and within three hours they managed to make me feel like I was a part of their family.

I have talked with those I never used to talk to on this trip and have definitely created amazingly new friendships with them and become even closer with those I do talk to. If we swapped people on this trip with those who didn't get to go, it would still be the greatest thing ever but nothing could ever compare to everyone who is on Team Blue!

Murdy, Boothy and Airlie have been absolutely the best people to have joined the Capetoniants! I truly would not change them for any other teacher.

Guckin has also been incredible! We are all so thankful that he decided to introduce Balwearie to a link with Welcome Primary otherwise none of us would be here to help create something special for us. He didn't even have to share his former school Larbert's link with us to do something similar but he did. Guckin, you are an absolutely inspiring person and I have no idea what to say, other than thank you so so so much for allowing thirty-seven members of Balwearie to travel all this way to do something you have been doing for an amazing six years.

I could still keep writing to try and explain my experience but whatever words I'd use would still not compare to what this whole thing was actually like.

I will never forget this trip nor will I forget the most extraordinary people, 18 CapetoniANTS, Guckin, Mr Jacobs, Welcome Primary and Mario, who have been involved. Team Blue has started to become like a small family to me (love you all!)

Biggest thanks to all of you as this has been the greatest time of my life ever. 

#TIA #NTS #BBB


Anna, Group 2 

P.S. I have lost count of how many times I have hurt myself on this trip whether it was punching myself in the face, banging my head on multiple things in multiple places all over SA or many other stupid ways of hurting yourself. #clumsy 
...also after writing this blog I managed to fall off my suitcase in the airport in Cape Town and land on the floor in the middle of check-in

Murdy's Blog

Astonishing is a word like thunderstorm or incredible that sits flat on the page compared with the actual experience it tries to name. I thought I understood it then I went to South Africa. (I have plagiarised some of this introduction from an article I read in the last few days but it suits my feelings and emotions so I don’t mind.)

Table Mountain, abseiling, whales and seeing the ‘Big Five’ were wonderful but they seem insignificant to our other experiences. The emotional and social experience of visiting the Langa Township, helping and taking part with the kids at the GCU project and being in the Welcome Primary School in Heideveld was really astonishing. The pupils had so much energy and enthusiasm for us being there it was very humbling and a real honour to be among them when we seem to have so much and they have so little. The staff also welcomed us with such generosity setting up a ‘home made’ feast for us every day and allowing us to destroy their plans for their classes. They really enjoyed seeing our youngsters teach their pupils and sometimes allowed us to stay on teaching for a long time!

Mario’s hospitality at his house in the township also gave us all a unique and very much fun experience at a ‘Braii’ and Mario and his wife Michelle very generously gave every one of us a present at the end of the night. Such generosity is beyond words.

Now that we are back I am eager to get going on Balwearie’s link with Welcome primary and Mario’s GCU. As I can’t think of a more worthy experience for both our and their pupils. I am looking forward to working with the 15 pupils who we accompanied on the trip to try to make things happen (along with the other 16 pupils in the first group). It has been a real privilege to be with our fantastic pupils for the 12 days. I owe them a lot. Go CapetowniANTS!

What will I remember most about the Trip? Easy – the astonishing, amazing PEOPLE whether South African or Scottish.  Thank you all.

Mrs Murdoch a.k.a Murdy

 

Rebecca Thomson- Cape Town

When I was first told about the trip to South Africa 18 months ago, I was instantly drawn to it, but it was a complete different experience to what I expected when I got there. It has been life-changing, literally.

I had my doubts about coming, I was scared of flying, scared of being away from home, scared of being with people I didn't really know that well, but they were worries that looking back now, I had no reason to worry about. Here I have met so many new friends, my confidence has grown so much for someone who is quite shy and I now feel I can do so much more! 

Teaching in the primary school was one of the best experiences of my life, I have never seen a group of people I've never seen before be so welcoming. Teaching art, my favourite subject, was such a privilege, and I cried so much having to leave. I have never felt so close to a group of people I have only been with for 4 days.  

Seeing everything we have seen, in the school, the township, to just people at the side of the road, has made me appreciate everything we have in our life, and that we are the lucky ones, people are still so happy though they have near to nothing and we should take something from that.

On this trip, i have learned one thing most, that I an stronger than I think, I never thought I could do some of the things I did on this trip, especially abseiling down table mountain, I'm scared of heights, so it was a big deal, but I did it and I've never been so proud, I smiled the rest of the day!

Thank you for everything, to the teachers, the rest of the people in the group and everyone in Cape town who have been so welcoming!

Rebecca Thomson, group 2 :)

Jodie- Cape Town Experience

I can't believe that our time in Cape Town has come to an end. This trip has been the best experience of my life and certainly one i wont forget.

The atmosphere when team burgundy met at Balwearie on the 7th of October was ecstatic.  Straight away i knew that the group would get on so well and we certainly did. From leaving the school that afternoon to the journey home, the memories created will be with me forever. I couldn't of asked for a better group of people to share this amazing experience with.

Being able to experience Cape Town has been incredible. It is such a beautiful city with so much to offer. The warm, friendly welcomes we received from everyone here were lovely. Especially the welcome we received from all the pupils and staff at Welcome Primary School. As soon as we arrived at the school we felt appreciated and were invited to a school assembly full of kids who were more than grateful for our presence. The strong bonds we made with all the pupils and staff helped make this experience the best of my life. The children made me laugh, smile and cry and i will always remember the memories i shared with the grade 2a class. 

Every day i helped in this class and they were the best, most enthusiastic group of children i've ever met. In this class i met a very special boy called Miyanda. He found his work more challenging than his classmates and from what his teacher shared with me, his life at home was very difficult and unfair. By helping him with his maths, spelling, colouring in and by just giving him my time and attention made him feel important and i will always remember the smile on his wee face. The big hug i got when we said bye to each other and the drawing he gave me to take home made me very emotional! 

Saying bye was very difficult as we had all made a genuine connection with the pupils and staff of the school. I will never forget how grateful the kids were and I will really miss the incredible atmosphere they created.

The touristy part of the trip was amazing, as we were able to visit places like Roben Island, Table Mountain, Aquila Game Reserve and so much more! A big thanks to 'Mc big G' and 'Clunedog' for driving us around the city and making the long bus journeys a laugh. I will ALWAYS remember the bus journeys especially the music.There are a few songs that have now become associated with the trip which is brilliant!

Overall this has been the most amazing experience of my life and one i will never forget. I am so lucky to have shared it with the funniest, most friendly and amazing people possible. Without the other 19 in the Burgundy family this trip would never have been so good and i would like to thank Mc big G, Clunedog, Rossy, Murray and the rest of team burgundy for making this experience one in a million. I will most definitely be back.

#ItWasntStix