Same as, Stan I "travelled a hell of a lot and i remember going away for 2 years only to get to New Zealand and find out Norwich were in the Prem with Leeds ( Didnt hear a score fo months on end but far to busy having fun with others of the same intrests ( basically drink, partying and s*x)! Hope he has a good time Stroller and it will make him realise how indipendent he really is. Good luck to him !
Must catch up about this when I eventually make it to the C&S. 4 holidays in Banjul and likely a few more to come. Amazing place for a Feb / March break from UK winter.
Agree with this. I went to Beruit in '91 leading to 10 years on and off abroad, often in areas remote and without any contact with home. I didnt miss the UK and have many great memories. You can always come home but you cant always travel. Good for the lad, Africa is a wonderful place and wrongly maligned in my opinion.
How times change.....when I was 14/15 we only had a week at a place called Marchants Hill (spelling) somewhere in Surrey which involved alot of walking and camping...... Fantastic opportunities for youngsters these days......
My niece has just set off for the same trip, lots of tears from the women in the family but a great opportunity for the youngsters to visit countries with such diversity.Just out of interest does your son go to Hayden High School?
i know that she couldn't get on the original flight and then flew out about 9 ish, with a ruck sack that weighed more than she did lol
My daughter did a similar thing last year. I remember all the fund raising, quiz nights etc to raise the funds to get her there which along side the trip teaches them a heck of a lot. After a weeks trekking (enjoyment) and two weeks in an orphanage, painting, puttying windows etc she came back realising just how fortunate we really are in this country. No baboons trapped in the tent or hippo's outside the toilet window, not even here in deepest darkest Devonshire! Those kids were back to their studies the day after finishing their end of year exams, they know that education is the only thing they have, a real eye opener and subsequently a very different mind set to studies! Hope your lad has a similar fantastic experience and comes back a whole lot wiser to the world!
Glad to hear your daughter had such a good experience Devon, everyone we've talked to seems to have the same positive views. The lack of contact is difficult though.
I had a similar type trip to South Africa after I finished school, and seeing what I saw in the townships certainly changed my perspective on life. It is a great experience that schools should offer or individuals should go for, and in this modern world even in very poor parts of the world it is still possible to get in touch with home if you need to, so to the parents, don't worry, they'll be in touch...probably to ask for more money.
You might be surprised how easy it is to get in touch - the mobile phone networks in Zambia are amazing (all things considered). When I went back for my honeymoon in 2013 there were charging stations in every village with solar panels set up on huts for people to charge their phones. If your lad can buy a sim card when he gets there he'll have not trouble texting and I think a mobile with roaming on it would work - will just be more expensive to text. Where abouts in Zambia are they going? If they're in Lusaka or Livingstone at any point they'll probably get internet quite easily.
They were told not to bring mobile phones, Badger. The reasoning being that, with unsure connectivity, it's better for parents to expect no contact than to be wondering why they haven't heard anything. He has an iPod so should be able to get internet at some point.
Ahh! That'll stop them! Good to give them a break from mobile phones as well. As daverangers said - if they need money they'll find a way. I'm sure he'll have an amazing time...Zambia is an incredible place, I can't comment on Botswana but have heard great things. I'd give my right arm to go again.
My apologies for forgetting about this mate, but how did Stroller Jnr get on out in the deepest darkest?
Thanks for your interest Nines. He had a great time and gained some valuable experience. The working element of the trip had them helping to build a house for the teacher at a local school. Not sure it would pass building regs though. A few pics.. View attachment 34064 View attachment 34061 View attachment 34063 View attachment 34062 View attachment 34065
Cheers Stroller, thanks for posting the pictures. It looks like he had a brilliant time. I wished I had the opportunity to do something as worthwhile as that at his age.
Who's the nobbly looking Geezer in the first Pic? Fair play to your lad, Strolls. Did some good work out there by the looks of it. That experience will stand to him in time.
