Castlegar kids help out on the ground in South Africa
By Contributor
Castlegar Interact Club Daily Journal Entries – South Africa 2011
The Castlegar Interact Club is currently in South Africa assisting with the expansion of a small, one-building school in Louis Trichardt by doing cement work, digging and ground repairs. Additionally, the Interactors have travelled with baggage full of clothing, shoes, books and blankets to contribute to the locals. With the assistance of Rotary International, local Rotarians, businesses and fundraising they have contributed significantly to the funding of two new classrooms for the school for 200 children. The club was able to sponsor over 150 uniforms with the help from members of our local community. The trip includes travel to Johannesburg for two days, then camping and working in Louis Trichardt for 10 days. The trip back to Johannesburg goes through Kruger National Park and then long journey back home. Each day one or two Interactors write about their experiences for the day. This is a summarized version of those journals and the full journal articles can be found at: http://castlegarinteract5.shawwebspace.ca/ . Day 1 Oh my! Our two year project is finally a reality. We arrive at the airport wearing our colourful green group shirts and carrying our bagged lunches. Waiting for our plane, we met many people who asked us many different questions: one of the funnier questions was: Are you guys going to the Price is Right? After two 3 hour flights we were embarking on our longest 15 hour flight and we were off to Johannesburg. This was a very eventful plane ride. This flight consisted of unlimited movies, TV and laughs throughout the trip. Day 2 We all hopped onto our tour bus to go to downtown Johannesburg. We drove by the police station and learned that long ago, blacks were thrown off of the tenth story of the building as a death penalty. This practice continued for quite some time until it was banned only twenty years ago. Later, as we entered the Apartheid Museum everyone was given a ticket that either classified you as a “white” person or a “non-white” person. The two groups had separate entrances and other rights and restrictions which allowed us to understand the racial inequalities that were occurring at the time. As we reflect upon today, it was as though we had taken a step back into history and had gained knowledge about the amazing roots of South Africa! Day 3 After breakfast we had to pack up all our stuff (to the parents that helped your kids pack, you can imagine us re packing all our stuff back in after taking it all out…. not all were successful.) First, we went to a lion and rhino reserve where we saw antelope, wild dogs, buffalo, hyena , gizzels, vultures, lions, ostriches, wildabeasts, gemsbok, warthogs AND ZEBRAS. Next, we went in to an area where they have tamed lions, and we all got a chance to go in and pet and play with them! It truly has been a great honour to have been here and to be treated with such great hospitality. Canadians may be known for being friendly, but South Africans are a tough competition. Day 4 Once we were done breakfast we said our goodbyes and “Baie Dankies” which means “Thank You” to our wonderful host’s. We then loaded onto the bus headed for our 6 hour journey to Louis Trichardt and our campsite. The first attempt at setting up a tent left Interactors (and Mikey!) struggling for an hour until they figured it out. Later we will enjoy dinner, and after that it’s early to bed so we can be ready for our first day of work tomorrow. Photo submitted:
Alyssa Martini, Arija Fisher, Ashlee Martini, Blake Edwards, Brandon Davis, Chelan Padmoroff, Derek Mansen, Emma Jensen, Hailey Gardner, Heather Hackett, Israel Miller, Jack Clemans-Gibbon, Jess Trickey, Katelyn Buckland, Nadya Wasilenkoff, Natasha Franks, Padn Konkin, Raissa Chernoff, Sera Welychko, Theresa Thoms, Travis Spender, Ashley Laurie.Rotarians and Chaperones: Geoff Yule, Lorraine Hartson, Mike Cassidy, Denise Laurie and Roteract Member, Alexandra Yule
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