Backtrack

So what’s happened so far?

There were two separate selection events to choose the team to go to Zambia in July 2012, and a proportion of the group was chosen at each. Both events consisted of a variety of activities relating to refugees and asylum-seekers, and the causes and effects of their situations. We also discussed how we could make members of GirlGuiding aware of their existence and hardships, including activities appropriate for rainbows, brownies, guides and senior section. Later after the events, we were informed of whether we had been selected to go.

We were first united as a group, including team leaders, at a GirlGuiding event known as LaSERio. At this event, all the other members of GirlGuiding UK going on a LaSER organised trip in 2012 were present, and we participated in activities relating to the qualities we would need, our expectations and simple ice breakers. We also watched presentations of international trips that happened in 2011, which, although weren’t in Zambia, gave us a small taste of what was in store. Our group also ran an activity for the younger participants relating to global trade, designed to raise awareness of the existence of more and less economically developed countries, and the disadvantages that the latter are subject to. The weekend was also the first opportunity we had to find out some more about our trip and discuss our itinerary - very exciting! Fundraising was also brought up, and we shared ideas on how each of us could raise money to subsidise this incredible trip.

Our first “official” team meeting was in December 2011. We each brought a “Christmassy” item to share for a picnic lunch, which we had after discussing our trip. Amongst other things, we considered team roles, the kit list, the group charter, fundraising and finally team identity. All ideas on this are to be confirmed at our next meeting. After lunch, to get to know each other better, we went into London and to the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, where we had a wonderful time ice skating. This was such fun, and a good way to relax after the important discussions of the morning!

We are looking forward to our next team meeting, which is happening later this month!

Zambia 2012 - What’s this all about?

London and South East Region GirlGuiding are in the process of organising a trip for 12 members to go to Zambia in July of this year. There are ten 18-26 year old members and two leaders who all got selected after completing a detailed application form and attending a couple of selection days. This blog is designed to be a record of their actions.

We will be in Zambia for just over three weeks, and for the main part, will be working in a refugee camp known as ‘Meheba’. It is a home for refugees from all states of Africa, with a current population of over 16,000. Over 5,000 of these are children. Most refugees do receive some sort of primary education, even if this is just for a year, but very few can afford secondary schooling - or even if they can, the schools are too far for them to walk to. Some children walk to up to 2 hours each way, to get to over-crowded, under-resourced classes. The charity that we will be working with is known as ‘The Book Bus’ and strives to improve this situation as much as possible.

Giving children the ability to read can ultimately change their lives. Education allows them to break the vicious cycle of poverty so that ultimately, they can earn a living from their skills and be able to provide their own children with the necessary education and healthcare. As The Book Bus say,

“books impart knowledge, fire the imagination and open up new horizons; they are also a tremendous source of enjoyment”.

Our work with ‘The Book Bus’ will consist of visiting a different one of the few schools in the camp each day, where we will work with the children, reading singing, dancing, acting, doing crafts, playing sport and other enriching activities focused around books. It promises to be a rewarding time, and I am sure that it is unlikely to be just the children who reap the benefits from these sessions!

After our time spent in Meheba, we are spending a few days sightseeing in this incredible country, where we will experience some of its wonders, and see first-hand what it is really like to live in both rural and urban Africa.

We are all very excited to be given the opportunity to go on this eye-opening journey, and are ready for all the preparation and fundraising to begin!