Africa07

I cant’ believe I’m sat at home, I can’t believe it’s all over! I don’t want it to be that way. In my head I have been trying to sum up what a wonderful experience the last three weeks have been and I can’t really describe it.
There was a mixture of feelings through out the trip, from being sad to see the poor conditions or happy so see the smiles on the kids faces. You can’t really describe what you feel or what you have seen because it’s just stored in your memory and you just picture it as you think of it. Before I went to Africa I expected poverty and expected there to be tears, but you don’t realize the actual effect it has on you until you have seen it with your own eyes! When I seen a poor man laid on the floor at the side of the pavement and everybody was just walking by him it just threw me. He looked so unwell – that vision will stay with me forever. I was amazed to see that he had gone when we went back past the same spot! I took a leather football into a classroom and just sat there watching a few young boys stroke it in amazement! The rubbish in the streets was just disgusting; as we drove through the slums the smell was not very pleasant at all. I remember feeling pretty guilty driving through there on a full stomach of burger and chips that we got from just round the corner!
As much as the tears came the laughter came too and I so wish I could still be there or at least start the whole thing again, but even if we could go back to the beginning I would not change a single thing, every single thing has ‘added to the experience’ in fact, there has been so many events that have had to have that phrase that I began to hate it ha-ha!
How many people can say that whilst on tour in Africa they have had to strike up camp outside a police station, spend a few more hours outside a different police station the next morning after knocking a man of his bike, have a truck that was prone to having something or other wrong with it, and having to strike up camp in the dark on more than one occasion! And on the same tour, cuddled a giraffe, been with-in spitting distance from lions and having as much fun as us lot did! In fact I don’t think anybody can say that no matter where they have been on tour!
I definitely will think seriously about going back to Africa, it would be so lovely to go back to the new school project and see it complete having seen it first hand. 101 school children in one class room, a class room that was divided into two with a metal sheet, each side of the classroom being taught different things, a school that is very much in need of Acklam Grange’s help!
Bit of a long diary entry today but I still have a few more things I would like to say! First of all a HUGE thank you to Peter Swan! To organize such a trip has taken a lot of your personal time and effort over the past two years, as well as Diane’s! Other than the two years of preparation you have been a star every single moment of the past 3 weeks, I mean who else would stay awake all night to make sure we were all safe outside the police station. I cannot thank you enough, I have had an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life and I hope that one day I will be back there doing it all again. A big thank you also to Diane for giving up 3 weeks of your life without Peter and for everything you have done to make this trip go ahead!
Emma, you have been amazing over the past 3 weeks, infact from the moment you found out you were coming to Africa you got stuck in with the fund raising and anything else you could. A big thank you also to you for giving up 3 weeks of your life away from your loved ones!
The other 23 students that I have shared my experiences with have been superb, if I had to pick 22 to go again I just couldn’t do it, each one of you made the trip special to me in your own ways and I just thank you all for being the people that you are. As well as Peter and Emma, I class every single one of you as a friend!
Last but certainly by no means least thank you to my Mum, she is one amazing person and I thank her for actually letting me go and have the experiences I have had no matter how risky they have been! After all if I did not get the nod from her in he first place I wouldn’t be feeling the way I do now!

Thank you so much everybody, the experience and memories will be with me forever!

Lots and lots of love

Gemma Foster! xxx

I can't believe that we're all back home so soon! These last 3 weeks have been the fastest of my life and I can't believe that after 2 years of waiting it's all over. But really it isn't all over- the past 3 weeks were just the beginning- Meserani Primary School needs our help and I can't wait to find out just how we are going to go about helping them!

I was talking to a man on the plane about Africa and we both agreed that there is no way of giving it it's full justice when describing it unless you've experienced it for yourself. I could say that Africa was amazing, eye opening, out of this world and totally unique but even that wouldn't give it justice! It was just such an incredibly indescribable experience that will stay in my memories forever.

I'd love to go back sometime in the future and definitely visit some of the schools again, the ngororo crater, Arusha and some of the local bars! (not for the drink for the people!) We've done so so much these past 3 weeks which made coming home a scary prospect, so much to catch up on and so much to talk about- I still haven't faced any of my friends properly yet I just wouldn't know where to start!

I've caught up on sleep and had a bath AND a shower- got my photos developed and I'm gonna get loads off the web as well- then maybe I'll be ready to tell our story to Middlesbrough!

Once again thank you for an amazing experience to everyone who made this trip possible, to Peter, Dianne, Emma, Mr. Bate, my parents and Acklam Grange School as a whole.

Lots of love for the last time!

Claire Lancefield xxxx

Wow. The trip to Africa has been truly amazing, the best experience in my life so far. The past 3 weeks have certainly been a real eye opener.One thing i will never forget will be the look on one little boys face after we had simply thrown him a ball out of the truck. First the stunned look of total shock at what he was holding in his hands, then the huge grin on his face as the truck began to pull away. That one look will stay with me for the rest of my life. Its strange the way they look at us like we are something special, when were not at all. In reality we are just greedy, always wanting for ourselves, not looking at life outside our own personal circle. After seeing what we have done for Lesiraa School, i would love to be part of making a difference for Meserani School. Visiting that school was a real wake up call. I dont think i have ever been brought back to reality so quickly in my life. At first the school seemed fine, but stepping inside and seeing 101 children crammed into one classroom gave me a jolt back to life, and i realised that this is what we were here for, to help make a positive difference for these people. Although so many things seemed to go wrong through out the trip, i wouldnt change one thing, as those are the times that brought people closer together-the times we needed to support each other. I have made so many close friends on this trip, and i am priviliged to have experienced Africa with them all. I couldnt have picked better people. So many emotions were felt during the past 3 weeks, it all seems a bit of a blur. However the stress of all the mishaps and the tears cried have been well overtaken by the laughter shared among the group. So many good times have been had whether it was singing and dancing on the truck, meeting the real people of Africa, or simply having a good chat with members of the group. Every single one of us should be proud, not just for what we have achieved in helping to fund Lesiraa School, but because we have all achieved something personal for ourselves through our unforgetable experiences in Kenya and Tanzania. I want to take this opportunity to thank Peter for all the hard work he has put in over the past few years in making Lesiraa School a better place, I know he will do just as well for Meserani School. Without him, none of us would have had the oportunity to have this experience of a lifetime. Thanks to him for all the support he has given to me personally, both emotionaly and physically. Also a big thank you to Diane as she has worked hard along with Peter to make this work. Thanks to both of you for your amazing efforts. Id like to give my thanks to all the people who went for supporting me when i needed it. Without every single one of you the Africa Trip 2007 would not have been as memorable as it has been. Once again, thank you Peter, for giving me the chance to see life outside of my own circle.

Sarah Carling xxx

It seems strange to think that 3 weeks ago today we were all standing in the car park out side Acklam grange school in the pouring rain! It seem ages ago that we were sat in the car park of Brussels airport falling asleep on the curb. It seems almost impossible that 3 weeks ago tommorow that we first laid our eyes on africa!
The trip flew by, i wish it haddent because i enjoyed every moment. From the highs of seeing the beaming smiles of the kids when they see them selves in the digital camera to the lows of the long days on the bus. I loved every minute!
Before we went Peter said that when you are there you wont care about the animals, it will be the kids that make the trip. At the time i though "nahh id rather see the animals", but after seeing how little the have and how happy they are i can honestly say that the kids made the trip for me.
It wasnt always good though. One time i saw a small girl about 4 years old carrying a bottle of water above her head. The only problem of this was that the water was a pale yellow and she was going to be drinking from it. Also when we were handing out some pens to the local children they snatched them of us greedily, which shows how desperate they were for a simple thing like a pen! Those to events and several more really hit home to me and will stay with me forever.
But sad bits aside the experience was Amazing! And none of it would of been possible if it wasnt for Peter and Diane who have sacrificed so many hours for fundraising and 3 weeks of their summer holidays. Also Mr Bate who allowed the trip to go a head. I would also like to thank my parents for funding me and all the people who helped out with the fundraising.
I would also like to thank the group, everyone who went played their part and it wouldnt of been the same if one of you wasnt there. And also Emma you were amazing on the trip!
Thats all I ve got to say really appart that one day i WILL go back!
Asante sana!

Will Milburn

I've been trying to put off this final diary entry since i got home, simply because i cant possibly find the words to describe what an amazing experience Africa was. Sitting at home makes me realise just how different our way of life is compared to the ones of the African people. Clean, warm running water, sanitation, toilets even pens and pencils are just some of the things i take for granted everyday but are absolute luxuries to people in Africa.

I wish i could tell everyone exactly how i felt on the trip and exactly how i am feeling now but all the words in the world could not sum up the feelings and emotions me and the other members on the trip have experienced over these past three weeks. One of the lines from our famous Take That song - I understand the meaning of i cant explain this feeling now - relates exactly to how i feel and i really cannot explain to anyone what Africa was all about unless they have been there and experienced it for themselves. There have been times we have had to support each other so much more than i expected and would have to do at home - both physically and emotionally.

There are so many memories that will stay with me throughout my life, like the reactions of the school children when we handed over basic equipment. I think my biggest memory of the trip will be visiting Meserani School, stepping into the classrooms and whitnessing the conditions of their learning environment. One classroom split into two halves containing 60 + children in one half and 101 in the other! Seeing this was like a kick in the face to me and i was brought straight back to reality the moment i saw it. I cant deny that i didnt enjoy seeing the animals and going on Safari, but visiting the schools and African people certainly have a much bigger impact on me. The visiting of the schools helped me to remember the real reason we where visiting Africa, and that was to make a difference to some of the people we met, knowing we made even a slight difference to someone makes me feel proud to think of what we accomplished.

I would like to say thankyou to every single person who i shared my experience with, it wouldnt have been the same without any of them and they all helped to make the trip perfect. Despite all of the problems we encounterd we managed to stay positive and not let anything dampen our spirits. The group of people where perfect and i dont think i would have got through the trip emotionally without them all there to help me through. I am privaledged to have spent three weeks with each and every single person.

I would also like to say a massive, massive thankyou to the people that made this trip possible. Two of these people being Peter Swan and Emma Wells - they where both abosolute stars throughout the whole thing and are the reasons the trip was so enjoyable and memorable. A huge thankyou to Peter and Diane Swan for all of the effort they put into the trip, im sure it was very stressfull and i know it took up a lot of their personal time and i am 100% grateful for everything they have done! Finally i would like to say thankyou to my parents because without them i would never of been able to experience any of this - so thankyou and love you both!

I'm going to leave it at that because other wise i will be writing forever!

Much love to everyone!

Elizabeth Spillane xxxx

Can't believe it's all over - it's gone so quick! I loved every minute but the best moments by far were the schools. It was lovely to see the big smiles on faces when you did something that seems so insignificant to us - like hand over a pen. The trip has really made me think about how different their life is to ours. Like Peter said - it is a totally different world. We moan about things when in reality, compared to them, we have nothing to moan about.

I'm going to miss everyone and miss the journeys when we were all together on the Safari truck! The music was brilliant. I'll also miss nights at all the various bars (as if you could get a bottle of coke for 40p!!). I'll also miss haggling "NO!! I WON'T PAY 10,000 SHILLINGS - YOU'RE HAVING A GIRAFFE AREN'T YA?!"

Thanks to everyone for making it a brilliant trip you're a great bunch! Thanks to Peter and Emma for taking us and giving us the opportunity to experience something so "magic" as Peter would say! :) Thanks also Peter and Diane for the effort you put in over the last two years to make it possible.

See you all on video night

Natalie Dowson x

How do you write about something you have no words for? 'Amazing' is the word I've been using but even that doesn't do the whole experience justice.

How many people can say they've sat in a classroom with african children? How many people can say they've seen (and cried over) the awful conditions in some of the schools there (over 100 kids in one half of a classroom - unimaginable)? How many people can say they've been paid respect by school children simply for being white?

Not many.

It's so wierd to think that these things have happened to me, somehow now I'm back in England it doesn't all seem real. I wish I could relive it just to make sure I wasn't dreaming!

The people definatly made the holiday for me, the animals were fantastic too (I've been a few meters away from a lion in the wild and fed a giraffe!) but they didnt compare to the wonderful people I've met. Not just the Africans but my fellow Acklam Grangers! I've made some friends for life for sure! My mum asked me who I got along best with and I just couldn't pick!

The African people were unbeleiveable too, their culture is so different but so brilliant, I love the idea of 'African time', I think I live by that anyway! The way everyone was so interested in me was something I found really unusual, in England most people don't tend to give you the time of day but in Africa even the assistants in the supermarket were interested in me! The kids were the best by far though, some were so chatty and wanted to know everything about me but some were so shy and hardly dared speak to me! I loved the way they would just cling onto my hands without saying anything and not want to let go!

At the schools everyone wanted to shake my hand, I was so shocked, it was as if I was royal or something when in reality I'm no better than any of them (infact i'd say they're better than me, the things some of them have suffered, I know I couldn't manage it).

Now we're back in England it feels so wierd to only be living with 3 other people, we lived in each others pockets for the 3 weeks in Africa and I'm finding it strange not to be now - I miss you all, you made my life in Africa!

The experience has made me realise what's out there, how much of the world there is to see and how much I want to see it all! One day, hopefully soon, I will.

Finally, I'd just like to say a massive thank you to Peter for organizing the whole thing, I think we've all had the time of our lives! Thanks to Diane for giving up so much time even though she didn't get to experience the whole thing and thanks to Emma for just being such a good laugh on the trip and keeping smiling through all the tough bits!

Never Forget.
Suzanne
xxx

Finally home after the trip of a lifetime. I thought I would be happy to be home and at first I was, seeing my parents and sisters and getting to tell them about it, but now the dust has settled reality has come back to hit me in the face.

I sit in my living room and feel thirsty so I got the kitchen and grab a drink out of the tap and it hits me. I don’t have to drink water from a bottle anymore and the water out of the tap isn’t going to give me the dreaded sickness and diarrhoea. My bed has a proper mattress and I won’t be sleeping in a tent with people from the trip.

One of the first things I noticed was that everyone seemed to be in a rush to get somewhere. All the cars move so fast and there seems to be so many cars. Nobody stops to talk, just a nod or a smile where over in Africa everyone talks and seems to be friends with each other.

I actually miss being around everyone, I feel like I have been left behind as everyone has gone somewhere, its really really weird.

Anyway I just need to say a HUGE thank you to Peter as he has done so much for the trip and for Lesiraa. So much effort has gone in to thinking up ways to raise money for the school and it has changed my life in so many ways. I know that you will do so much to help Mesirani School and if I can help in way just send me a message and I will only be too happy.

So for he last time Kawheri and to all that helped with the trip Asante Sana

Sarah Langford

Well what can i say Africa has been the trip of a lifetime! I loved everyday with all its new challenges and i would definately consider going back. It has been an amazing experience and i wouldn't change it for the world.

I'll never forget the smiling faces of the African children that greeted us where ever we went and the excitement they had when given something so little as a pen. Its like a diifferent world there.

It was great to see the progress that Lesiraa School had made as a result of Acklam Grange and i hope very much that we can do the same again for another school like Meserani Primary. I couldn't believe how bad the conditions of the school were. It really hit me hard seeing the way the children were all squashed together and to hear that they couldn't even have a full day at school because there just isn't enough room for them.

I had so many laughs during the past 3 weeks and its thanks to all of the lovely, genuine people who were on the trip. I've come away with amazing memories that will last with me forever. A huge thank you to Peter for everything you have done to make this trip happen and although some things didn't work out as expected the trip has been fantastic and without you none of us would of had such a great oppurtunity. I also want to say a big thank you to Diane for all your hard work that you put in to the trip, its very much appreciated. Emma you have been brilliant these past 3 weeks by being supportive to all of us and always make us smile, thank you for everything.

Finally, i just want to say how grateful i am to everyone who helped the last 3 weeks happen. It really has been the best experience of my life!

Best of luck to everyone for the future.

Lots of love from Ruth xxxx

Its reallly wierd sitting here writing my last diary entry for the trip, from first hearing about the trip in year 7, i really wanted to go. I was chuffed to bits to hear that i had been picked to go on the trip, but i was really scared and woundered why i had actually put my name down, because 3 weeks of camping and no showers, living on the edge was just no way near my type of thing. I'm just really proud of myself, coming out of the whole experience with a totally different view on life.
To put the trip into words is impossible, all i can think of is 'amazing' but it just doesn't give the whole trip the justice it deserves. But thats all we can say really, you just need to experience it yourself to be able to understand what i mean.
There is just so much i want to write about, but i just haven't got a clue what to say or where to start.
The thing that stands out to me most on this trip is the people of Africa. They are just absolutly amazing, surviving in them conditions of which they live in, i know that i wouldn't be able to live in them conditions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I really do admire them.
Also the kids at the school are just complete stars. They were absolutly adorable, the welcomes we got arriving at schools, they sang us songs and welcomed us into their school. They just wanted to know everything about you, asking you what your name was, how old you are, where your from, and just basically how your are. They grabbed hold of your hands and just wouldn't let go, it was unbelievable and was nothing from what i was expecting.
I'll never forget the one girl who was on the volleyball team at Einoti Secondary School, she was called Anastasia, after the match she came up to me and was asking me how i was, because she had noticed i wasn't the happiest of people, due to me not feeling very well. She asked me my name, how old i was, where i was from, she asked me about my family back here in England and she was just basically an all round amazing little girl. Anyway, she gave me gift, she gave me her little neclace, which i was really touched by. I will never miss place this, it will probably never leave my neck. It was just amazing, she brightened up my whole day, i just wish i'd had something of mine to give back to her.
There are so many more memories that will always stay with me. This trip has changed the person i am, i've come home a more confident, indipendant person. Now i know i don't need to rely on people or things to be able to get on with my life.
I know we have started to sponsor Meserani School, they are desperatly needing our help, over 100 pupils in one half of the classroom and just under 200 pupils per classroom, the small building just seporated with a sheet of steel seporating the two different classes, which were being taught by the same teacher at the same time. I really don't know how the teacher copes with it all, I mean teachers in England struggle handleing 30 kids in one classroom, just imagine how he has to handle 200 pupils at one time. I definatly want to be involved in this project, any help which is needed, one email and i'll be there to help.
The animals were just fantastic, being within about 6ft of an actual lion, feeding a giraffe, seeing the wilderbeast migration, stroking a baby elephant, watching lions on hunt for food and loads more. Definatly something everybody should do.
I'd just like to say a HUGE thank you to Diane and Peter for making this whole thing happen, you both put a hell of a lot of work into this trip, during your free time and i'm guessing it was really hard at times. But this would not have happened if it wasn't because of you both. I am 100% greatful for what you both did for this trip.
Also a big thank you to Emma Wells, this trip would not have been able to go ahead if you hadn't have saved us at the last minute, you were just amazing throughout the whole trip, brightened things up when it was needed and you were a great entertainer for the long truck journeys.
Thank you to John Bate also, for letting the trip actually happen. You should definatly experience it yourself!
Everyone on the trip! You lot made the trip for me, i couldn't have handled it without you lot! Everyone helped everyone through the hard times and the struggles. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to experience the trip with!
I am for definate going back to Africa, there is just so much that can be done and i'm going to make sure i'm involved in it all! The place and the people are just amazing, and they could do with all the help they can get, to improve their lives.
I think i've written enough, i could just write forever about the whole experience but i'll stop there.
See everyone on the Video Night, Cannot wait for it!

Asante Sana!
Nakupenda Sana!!
Laura
xxxx

WOW where do I start really. I can’t believe the 2 years of hard work that everyone has put into the trip has finally paid of as the 3 weeks have sadly come to an end. The past 3 weeks were truly unbelievable I honestly can’t describe how amazing it was. Thank you PETER, EMMA and every pupil that I experienced Africa with, you are all great friends to me now how I never want to lose contact with. Each one of you made my 3 weeks but in your own ways the trip definitely wouldn’t have been the same without you all!!
Before going to Africa I was excited, scared and had no idea what to expect from the whole experience. When we arrived late that night I was still in my own little world and it didn’t hit me that I was in Africa until I saw the first school, the first zebra and all the other animals. I had seen all the photos and movie clips from 2004 and you know that people suffer but when you see it with your own eyes its unreal. There are so many pictures and memories that are unbelievably hard to write down I will carry them with me forever!
I’m seriously considering going back to Africa as I would love to see how the Meserani School develops as I have seen that for myself at the beginning stage. That classroom split by a thin sheet of iron, with 101 pupils on one side really hit me, I had never seen anything like it . I’m so glad Acklam Grange has decided to help this school and I really look forward to helping in all the fundraising again J
Finally I want to say Thank you to Peter for the 2 years hard work, the 3 weeks apart from Dianne, the 3 weeks he spent with all of us ( it was the best) you were amazing. Thank you so much for being our friend, being so fun and supportive when we needed you. Thank You Dianne for all your hard work that you put into the trip I’m very grateful. Thank you Emma for coming at such short notice but you got stuck in with all the fund raising and thank you for being so supportive to us all, always lively keeping us all going and also for being a great friend. Thank you everyone else who came to Africa too, I loved everyone’s company you all helped me through the lows and you all cracked me up- love you all

Lots of love
Sarah Naylor
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Where to start?
We'd all worked so hard for 2 years, trying to raise money for a trip that felt like it was ages away. But 2 years they flew by fast.
Our trip to Africa was something that I will never ever forget, even when I'm 40 I'll still be telling people about it. To be honest I really did not want to come home, I would have stayed if I could.
I find it hard to describe the impact that those three weeks had on me. The sights we saw, the people we met. The question people ask the most when you get home is, what was your favorite part? All I can say is everything. I can't choose one significant moment because to me they were all as important as the next, moments I know I'll remember forever.

But also the trip wouldn't have been the same without the people who came to Africa. Everyone who made me smile, made me laugh and were there when I needed them, thanks, and the people we met while there, the friends we made, the Children we met. You all made the trip for me, although the place itself was amazing, it was the people I went with, the people we met on our travels, those are the things I'd remember over everything. I will always remember those children's faces more so than the places we visited.

Peter & Dianne, I can't thank you enough for what you've done. I know how involved you are within the Africa Project, and to give us 24 pupils the chance to be a part of that is amazing. The work you both put in, so that we could all experience what you have seen yourself, is huge I know and without you both I would never have gotten this chance to make so many new friends, and see so many things that people never get to see in a lifetime. So the Hugest thank you to both of you.
And to Emma who also made it possible for us all to go. You keep us all laughing, (and dancing) even when we were on our lowest days. Thanks.

Just a Thanks to everyone! Love you lot!
I'll see everyone at video night.

Love

Sophie
xxx

I can’t believe that after 2 years it is all over. It seems unbelievable that 2 years ago we were only starting to think of what we have got ourselves into. At first I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up to go. I didn’t even know if I was going to get picked to go. But I am glad that I was picked as it was the greatest trip I have ever been on and I am glad to have been a part of it.

The people who were on this trip were great fun to be with. And I feel I have made new friends and have stronger bonds with old friends. I didn’t know most of you before I came but after spending 3 weeks together I feel like I have known every one of you my whole life. I am glad to call you all friends and hope that we will meet again.

The trip was g great experience and I would love to return and have the same feelings again in later life.

Hope to see everyone from the trip again
Love you all
Peter Suttron

I apologise that this has taken a while to write but I have had to try and explain to my self all that has happened over the past few weeks. It only seems like yesterday I was at college waiting for the phone call to see if I was accepted on the trip or not. The past 2 years have flown by, all that fundraising and time and it has all finished. It has been an amazing experience and I would like to thank Peter for everything, after all if it weren’t for him the trip wouldn’t have been running in the first place. He has given up so much for us to go on the trip and has had to put up with so much stress throughout it. It is because of his time and effort that the lives of many people have been changed. I would also like to thank Mr Bate, as he allowed Peter to do everything he has. There are many head teacher’s who wouldn’t allow their staff to take pupils on trips, but Mr Bate has given us the trip of a lifetime and I will always be grateful for that.
We all felt a mixture of feelings when we were out there and I am sure it will be remembered for the rest of our lives. It has been hard to explain everything to friends and family, all the things we experienced - The highs, seeing the looks on the kid’s faces when we gave them their gifts, and the lows, having to wait a long time for the truck to be fixed and missing out on some activities. But it wouldn’t have been the same if any of it changed.
I would like to thank Emma, you gave the group the energy we needed and gave us support when we needed it, and shared with us the experiences and feelings. If any of us needed support you were there and would listen, which is more than anyone could have asked for. You were more of a friend than a teacher on the trip, as was Peter, and the trip would not have been the same without you there.
To all the pupils that went, I cannot say enough how outstanding you all were. There are few people who would have to change and alter plans, including waiting around in the truck, arriving late at night at campsites and have to make and eat tea in the dark, and not complain. I got to know many of you and grew to make some good friends. I feel everyone got on great and you were all needed at a point during the trip, even if it was just for a hug or reassurance. I will keep in touch with all that I possibly can and for those that I do not I will always remember you and I thank you all for everything you did.
I will definitely go back to Africa, as it now has a place in my heart and I will never forget what I experienced. I would like to see how our contributions will change the lives of the children and the other schools and projects we get involved with. This trip has also inspired me to do my own individual travel at some point in my life.
Thank you all for making this an unbelievable trip, you were all amazing.

All my love,

Nicola James

x x x

Well what can I say….
That trip was sensational, and that doesn’t some it up! It really made me think about how we live in England. The 3 weeks just seemed to pass just too quickly, I don’t feel as if I was in Africa for a full 3 weeks. I must really thank everybody who came on the trip for making it such an inspirational visit! I have made so many new friends, and got to know friends even better. I must also thank Peter and Emma. You made a dream come true. I have now been and visited Africa, leaving a mark that I can be proud of. I am also very grateful for all of the work you both put in to make the trip a success. I know that I wouldn’t have managed it.
After returning home I must say I felt like royalty, a bed, clean toilets, flat roads etc. Although we were told the Africa trip 2007 would be a once in a life time trip, I now know that it was a lie - Danielle and I both WILL be returning in the future!

Asante sana!

James Coulton

Piczo