Churchie Kenya updates from Henry & Hugo

 

 COUNTRY: Kenya
PROGRAM: Expeditions
PROJECT: Leadership Expedition
WRITTEN BY: Churchie - Henry Stacey & Hugo Cook

As it was our final day at the Makongeni village we all though it would be a day of relaxing and goodbyes. This was not the case. After breakfast we were told to finish the cementing of the whole building and the frames for the doors. Despite the initial lack of motivation, the boys got the job done and we left for Mombasa Beach Resort. This was where we truly got to relax. After dinner the boys got around in a group and talked about how we thought the Trip was going. Unfortunately this was interrupted by Louis making a dash for the toilets as he became rather sick.

The next morning we were expected to depart that morning for Nairobi at 8:00. Although this was the case in typical Kenyan fashion, our bus didn’t leave the resort until 11:00. The trip to Nairobi took close to 10 hours with most of us either sleeping or reading as we pasted through the small under developed towns on the way there. We finally arrived at the hotel in Nairobi at 10pm with most of the boys feeling very tired and ready for bed. After a quick dinner and the celebration of Tom’s 16th birthday we headed up to bed eagerly awaiting our hot showers and warm beds.

The next morning I (Henry Stacey) woke from my deep slumber to the sound of news reporter reporting the Lewa marathon on TV (The Lewa marathon is run through the Lewa wildlife conservancy). After a speedy breakfast we had packed our bags into the bus and had left early! In Kenya! (It took me quite a while to get over this fact) We had been told that it would be a five-hour trip to Iten. It soon became eight-hours. Despite this and the constant vomiting from Natalie the trip was fun! Once we arrived in Iten we put our bags in our rooms and got into our running gear for an easy jog. This was one of the hardest ‘easy jogs’ we have had ever run. We have a feeling that this is just a little taste of what is to come.

Henry Stacey and Hugo Cook

For the Hawthornes - we put your money towards the school uniforms for the 4 youngsters below.

Churchie Athletics Tour heads to Kenya

 

 

 COUNTRY: Kenya
PROGRAM: Expeditions
PROJECT: Leadership Expedition
WRITTEN BY: Churchie - Tom, Louis, Bill and Max

*See more photos on Facebook

On Friday the 21st of June, the Churchie 11 + 2 accompanied with Natalie set off for Kenya. The trip started with a 9hr plane flight from Brisbane to Bangkok. The boys were excited yet exhausted after the hectic flight just to be told that our connecting flight to Nairobi had been delayed by 7hrs. This resulted in a stay-over in Bangkok’s wonderful Novotel Hotel. We had dinner at 12am and we were to wake up at 5am to catch our connecting flight, just what the boys wanted to start the trip!

As we landed from our 9hr flight from Bangkok to Nairobi we were very optimistic on what the journey would bring. We thought the travel was over only to realise that Mombasa, our next destination, was a 10hr bus ride away. We stayed in Mombasa Beach Resort for the night and after a nice African breakfast we hit the road again to Camp Makongeni which was a further 2hrs away. The Kenyan driving is not like any other country. Tom and I were beyond scared of what was to come. To overtake cars in the same lane, Kenyan drivers go into the next lane, which is against the flow of traffic, which creates suspense throughout the bus rides. Finally, we arrived at Camp Makongeni to be greeted in the African way. The Kenyan people are the one of the nicest people in the world and it has been a great experience to learn the ways of the people. Don’t worry parents, we have secured many gifts for you and will continue to get some. Overall, the beginning of the trip, which has included a full day of work and soccer with the locals where Lachie Taylor scored our only 2 goals, has been a great experience for all the boys. Jumbo (Hello),

Asanti (Thank-you),
Mot (Tom Walvin) and Louis McAfee


The second insta;lment from the boys - we've arrived in Iten and we have internet! More updates to come...

Jambo again!

Yesterday (Tuesday the 25th) morning, after a grueling training we continued working on the community projects. We split into two groups and focused on two aspects of the school building. One group set to work on making door frames and panels for the three rooms, with the assistance of some of the experienced locals. Throughout the day, through constant chiseling, hammering and sawing the group finished exhausted with two frames and three door panels completed. The other group worked hard on finishing off the previous days work on the main component of the project, the concreting of the floor. Wanting to finish the floor a day earlier than planned gave us twice the amount of work to finish than the previous day.

Despite the challenge the group was able to pull through and complete our goal for the day. The afternoon finished off with another great game of soccer against the almighty Kenya schoolboy side, self-elected ‘Barcelona’. The next morning we again got up early and had another training session, running through the village to the greetings of the locals. After another excellent breakfast we loaded into taxis and headed to the beach, excited for a well-deserved day off work. Along with the amazing sight we were met with at the beach, the water was nothing but incredible, with some of the students even braving a camel ride from a local, definitely a highlight of the trip.

After everyone dried off and Jack Baird finishing his daily tanning work, we set off to the world heritage listed site of the Kaya Kinondo sacred forest. It was an excellent experience with both tree hugging and vine swigging involved, led by a knowledgeable tour guide who never failed to remind us of the strict ‘no kissing’ rule in place within the forest. We headed back to camp Kenya and started the preparation for the much anticipated football game against the local Barcelona youth team, consisting of some questionably aged players. A lot of fun was had even though we went down two goals to their ten. The day was finished up with giving out Churchie shirts and old sand and soccer shoes to the Kenyan team along with showing them a traditional Churchie war cry. As we depart the camp tomorrow we will be leaving with good memories for life.

Regards,
Bill and Max.

Thailand Community Project

Written by St Michael's - Thailand World Tours 2008

Day 6 - Community Project
Our day began in Chiang Rai at the NGO where we had spent the night. We travelled by bus and boat on the Mekong River to a Karen village of around 250 people.

They were very welcoming and we spent the afternoon playing with the children in the school, teaching them English songs and games and painting their new school building maroon and white. Our group was divided throughout the host families of the village who spoke very little English and who we communicated with in small Karen words and body language. The Chief of the village and his wife Sewai, along with the Christian paster and some of the other villagers spoke to our group in an evening discussion about the contrasts between Australia and rural Thailand. Our guides, Aie, Nu and Yaka were very helpful in their translations.

The work we did in the village was very much appriciated and rewarding. We are all looking foward to a nice hot shower without a bucket.

Day 7 Community Project – A day in the Village
Today we spent most of the day in the village but we painted it for ages and most of us were getting to bothered to be able to paint. When we were done we all had a photo out front of it, the food they served was very nice we had rice and chicken and cabbage and pork and lots of other things, then we got in the back of a ute one the way to the Chian Guest house where we got our rooms and just chilled out for the rest of the day. When night time came up we went to the night markets and some of us bought things others didn't but it was lots of fun and then we went to bed for the night and waited for the next day to arrive.

Thailand Elephant Sanctuary!

Written by St Micheal's College - Thailand World Tours 2008

Day 4 - Elephant Sanctuary
Today we woke up in Chiang Mai and travelled to the elephant sanctuary by mini-vans. once we arrived we fed the elephants and then had an amazing lunch - yellow noodles =) YUM...

We then went down to the river to bath the elephants in the poo water. After washing them we returned to our huts. We (ellie and ella) went down and got fabulous massages from the ladies who also taught us some local slang and braided our hair. For the day we had a humorous guide named jack. He, along with the sancutary crew of volunteers made us feel very welcome with their light hearted and generous natures. to welcome the arrival of new volunteers the local preist man held a ceromony to bless them, this was followed by dinner. Later we were again welcomed by the volunteers to particpate in the "getting to know you" activities, in which their fun personalities beamed through. Overall it was an amazing day, from the experience of both animals and people a like.
Ellie and Ella

Tuk Tuks and Temples in Thailand!

Written by St Michael's College - Thailand World Tours 2008

Day 1 - Bangkok
The flight went really well. I must say the seat belt sign freaked me out as we went throught the storm. arrived in Bangkok. Met up with Paul and started the tour. Went on this awsome boat down one of the many Bangkok canals. With houses in lanes all down the side. With there own shops and food growing on decks.. it was amazing.

Its been amazing. Visted the most beautiful temple, ate some local food and traveled around. It was most of our first times on the TUK TUKS!.. little cars thats transport you around. A LOT OF FUN. Its all going well. =]=] having the best time.
love jess and andrew

Day 3 - Chiang Mai
In Thailand, we started with a scenic view of Chang Mai as we awoke on the train. The 12 hour train ride was coming to an end as we rolled to the station. A local bus called a songtaew drove us around the city until we arrived at the Lanna Thai Guest House and checked into our rooms. A short group meeting followed by a visit to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Rajvoravihara a local temple that is located on one of the hills of Chang Mai. It offered an amazing view and an even better work out. The temple had an awesome staircase that was bordered by huge serpents. After the temple we went to a local waterfall that was surrounded by some interesting shops that sold mainly food. Some items on the menu included silk worms, crickets, grubs, beetles and cockroaches. Most people were game enough to try them but only three were able to keep it down, including our tour guide Paul. After the waterfall we went to an authentic Buddhist temple that gave us amazing insights to the popular and traditional tradition. The temple had massive caves and tunnels that held great importance in ancient years. Refreshments in our hotel followed by an information discussion on how to use Thai squat toilets then out to the local markets and night bazaar where we had wonderful fruit smoothies for dinner and batered with local stall owners.
Sarah