South Africa Team Update 4: July 2009

filed in Africa, South Africa on Aug.06, 2009

News just in from Louise at Kwa Madwala:

Hi Guy and The Leap Crew,

Mask making with kids at the local school

One week after our amazing visit to Mozambique and the team have been getting back down to serious stuff as everyone got their thinking/grad caps on for the teaching week. On a rota basis, everyone got the opportunity to enlighten the hungry minds of local kids on subject specific lessons, and everyone assisted with reading daily. (There’s an ENORMOUS need for reading material exists, please inform forthcoming leaps to bring as many books as possible – 5-12 year age group reading material). Then on Friday we all did a major pack up and it was off to Swaziland after lunch for a once in a lifetime chance to boogey on down at the African music festival ‘Bushfire‘!

The S.A. team soak up the festival atmosphere!

Awesome, awesome awesome. The whole weekend was a fabulous expose on Southern African talent. A brilliant Himba band from Namibia, a large ensemble of marimba players from Mozambique, a Swazi icon and her band and of course THE Johnny Clegg who still performs with the vigour of a 25 year old, where some of the highlights, oh yes, included a 300 drum session where everyone got involved. Unfortunately the weather did not hold out and Sunday was a wash out, so it was a wet pack up and everyone was quite happy to go home!

Have a look at the festival on youtube by clicking here.

Monday morning was a sort-out-wet-camping-gear day and the team then rotated through volunteer activities in the afternoon (4 x 4, shooting, quads, elephant food harvesting and Kwa project). Meg’s birthday on Tuesday was celebrated by packing up for Kruger national Park and two great days were spent in the Big wild.

Ready for a game drive around Kwa Madwala

Thursday will be spent doing the last of the rota of activities, as above and Friday is pack up and off to Sabie for an adrenaline fix. Some members of the team are remaining on the farm and their time will include Manyatta work, game drives, bush walks and catching up on diary entries.

We can hardly believe it but next Monday is pack up day, final drives and prep for the Farewell Party, then after a delumpsious brunch it will be Home Home Jerome!