Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
This morning we walked through the bush to Lesiraa School for our 'official visit' following the building project that Acklam Grange School had funded. Emma and Zach took a landrover so that they could take all the equipment and resources that we had bought on Saturday morning.
We were able to visit the classrooms that were built, take pictures of the pupils in them, as well as spending some time with the pupils. We erected a plaque on one of the classrooms to commemorate our contribution, and left three more plaques for the other three classrooms.
After a formal presentation to the whole school, where I did a speech in Swahili, and we sang a traditional Swahili song to the pupils, (our guide Grace taught us it last night), we visited every pupils in the school in their classrooms and gave them a special commemorative badge each. The badges were in the shape of Tanzania, and had "Lesiraa School, Tanzania, Acklam Grange School, England, 2007" engraved on them.
Finally, the teachers gave us their official thanks, and presented us with a typed and laminated explanation of the difference that our involvement with their school has had. It was a significant document, and I will post it onto the final day diary entry later.
On our return to the camp site, Zach took us to a school that he thought we may be interested in getting involved with - Meserani Primary School. After a long drive through the bush by landrover, we finally arrived at the school - seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The impact on us when we visited the pupils and classrooms was devastating. I myself was personally shocked at what I saw, so you can imagine the impact on your sons and daughters - just watch their faces when you see the video, it was quite traumatic. Emotions ran high, and tears rolled. I myself had to take a few minutes off away from everyone, before returning to have a group meeting to reflect on what we were witnessing. I handed the meeting over to the kids as regards what would be our response, and it was agreed that this school desperately needed our help, and we would take the idea back to Acklam Grange School as a potential project, just as we had done with Lesiraa School three years ago. The journey back though the bush was done in almost complete silence, such was the impact and the emotion.
Later this afternoon we completed our final visit to Arusha, and can I thank the kids who helped me complete the shopping for the Handicraft Sale, (quick commercial break again - it now looks as though this will be directed towards a project at Meserani School).
Tonight we had a get together at the campsite for me to try and sum up our experiences before we set off for Nairobi tomorrow. There were some lovely things said about each other by the kids, and I don't mind admitting that it was a tough emotional experience for me.
Peter
What did we say about each other tonight:
Gemma Davies
Wow! Such a happy, friendly, bubbly and endearing person. Great company – just what I needed on certain occasions.
Always smiling
Heart warming and down to earth and doubly bubbly.
Sarah Dodgson
Cool, calm and a lovely, lovely person. You have brought peace, serenity and decency to this trip.
Caring and a great listener
Always there when you need her
Emma Wells
A superb contrast and antidote to Peter! Kept us all going when it was needed. You looked after me when it was needed – giving me just the right level of support.
A really good listener and a good shoulder to cry on
Good at making up dances- always makes everything fun!
Claire Lancefield
A magical person. No wonder they chose you as Head Girl. Mature, considerate, patient and intelligent – you’re a real gem.
Good to talk to and always has a sensible head on her shoulders.
You can’t not like her.
Danielle Coulton
Thoughtful and kind. You have been so supportive to some of us when it was really needed, and we won’t forget that. Good fun to have around.
Looks out for everyone all the time and is a great listener
Hard as nails outside but has a heart of gold inside :)
Natalie Dowson
What a wonderful person you are! So kind, so caring, so utterly nice. Don’t ever lose those magical qualities.
Always makes you happy- funniest person ever, turns everyone’s frown upside down
Genuine person
Sarah Naylor
Big, bright smile. Kept going, and kept positive when you were ill, and I admire you for that. Very strong character.
Unique person
Funny person to be around, always manages to lift my mood even when I’m down
Sophie Brown
Solid and dependable. Unflappable. You are a really interesting character. Can be relied upon to say it as it is.
Always manages to put a smile on your face and gives the best cuddles
Always sings to you on a morning to put you in a good mood!
Ruth Delany
Quite simply, you’re amazing. Someone said on this trip that you’re too nice – you can never be too nice, and you are a shining example of this. Don’t ever change!
An amazing girl who you can’t not get along with
The most genuine person I’ve ever met ever!
Gemma Foster
I value your friendship, your thoughtfulness and the many things you have done for me. A great friend.
A born leader- brilliant with the African kids
Really caring and funny and makes everyone happy
Kirsty Legg.
The best hugger in the world. The best smile in the world. Don’t you ever dare think of losing touch with me.
She’s the nicest kid I’ve ever met and nothing like I thought she would be
Always has a smile on her face whatever happens- always says what she thinks
Sarah Carling
You have grown on me, and I have come to realise what a thoughtful, funny and human person you are.
Always has me laughing
Really down to earth person who makes me smile
Sarah Bell
You’re solid as a rock – sensible, dependable, committed and focussed. It has been a privilege sharing five years with you.
Such a great person to be around and has such a great sense of humour
Very confident and no one can say a bad word about her
Elizabeth Spillane
Wear your heart on your sleeve. Emotional and loving. Tactile and affectionate.
Always happy to give out hugs
Been over a year since I’ve seen you and I don’t feel like I’ve missed a day
James Coulton
You’re kind, thoughtful and have worked really hard on this trip as regards helping out when it was needed.
Very kind and conscious of how you’re feeling
He’s not just been a brother to Danielle but to all of us
William Milburn
Mr. Cool. Typified by the night you stood on guard at the Tanzanian border while the girls unloaded their bags – top man.
Royally is a really nice boy who’s got a lot to offer and is going to go along way
Talk to everyone and get along with anyone- is a terrible excuse for a human being but is one of the best friends I’ve ever had and hope to keep!
Peter Suttron
Someone who just gets on with what needs doing. – no fuss, no drama – kind and gentle.
A true gentleman
Easy to talk to and has grown in confidence throughout this trip
Elizabeth Mitchell
Full-on. ‘In your face’ in the nicest possible way – guaranteed to keep the party going.
Likes a good banter and always makes me smile :)
Even though she has been struggling sometimes she still manages to get people smiling- never seen anyone with more confidence.
Nicola James
You are a wonderful, wonderful person, and a genuine pleasure to know. It is an honour to be able to call you a friend.
Never hear her moan and she’s always positive
If you ever need to speak to anybody she’s always there to listen
Katie Williams
You’re good fun to have around. It seems like I’ve known you for ages, and there is yet more to come – lucky me.
Such a nice person to be around and always makes me laugh
Always there when you need someone to brighten up your day
Laura Harrison
You’ve got better and better on this trip, and I’ve come to discover what a lovely, friendly and happy person you are.
I can’t put her personality into words :)
Truly amazing person, one of the best friends I could ask for and I don’t know what I’d do without her- She’s always there with a heart warming smile and cuddle- couldn’t have got through the trip without her
Sarah Langford
Quiet, but not quiet. You have put a lot into this trip, and I have really enjoyed your company and good humour.
Hilarious and always have a positive thing to say
Always makes me smile no matter what mood she’s in
Suzanne Lister
This has been my first opportunity to get to know you, and I only wish this had happened earlier. You are a genuine, caring and personable young lady.
She’s a rare treasure of a person and I’ve never ever fallen out with her in 14 years :O
Always has a smile on her face and it’s really infectious
Helen Empson
Your character has really shown through on this trip, and I have come to appreciate what a caring, friendly and personable young lady you are.
Always makes you laugh whatever
She’s really let herself go on this trip by getting into the Maasai culture- a joy to get to know and has the best hugs!
Sam Bland
Beneath that quiet and reserved exterior is a caring, mature, thoughtful and dependable young man. It has been a pleasure sharing these three weeks with you.
Known him for 11 years and he’s 100% genuine and I couldn’t say anything bad about him
Always cheers me up when I’m down and he’s got me through this trip- hilarious.
Back To Home Page
