Swaziland recce photo album

Alex in Africa - Swaziland recce

Johannesburg
Inspite of Toni’s best efforts, the business class upgrade on Emirates flight EK4 fails to materialise, but the courtesy of a splendid new A380 Airbus, the journey from London to Jo’burg is as pleasant as a long haul economy can be. The landing is rough as the storm clouds are gathering, but in no time I’m off the plane, through immigration, changing money then heading over to the domestic terminal where my hostel shuttle bus is waiting. Stepping outside the skies open and I’m drenched by a deluge which marks the start of the rainy season. Bodes well for seeing Swaziland awash with bright flowers, green grass and blossoming trees. The rain is torrential and the lightening spectacular – it’s a welcome tonic from the stuffy flight.

We don’t normally have teams staying in Jo’burg – parts of the city aren’t suitable – but the hostel I’ve found is about 25km outside of the centre, in a peaceful rural feeling suburb. It’s a large secure homestead with a great campsite, bathrooms, camp kitchen, braai (barbecue) pits, dorms, a TV lounge and very tasty home cooked meals. Perfect for teams. The owners can organise safaris and transport – we spend some time discussing prices. Turns out that there’s also a supermarket 2km walk away, and just next to that is a friendly little orphanage which welcomes volunteers – an unexpected potential project. After a night and a morning in Jo’burg confirming costings and logistics it’s time to jump on the bus east to Swaziland, and the exciting bit of recce begins…

Nicaragua and Costa Rica recce

Latin America Continent Manager Caroline Joyner heads off on a short recce. She will travel from Managua, Nicaragua to San Jose, Costa Rica over land. During the journey she will be sourcing new projects, negotiating prices and meeting with key suppliers and in country agents.

World Challenge Uganda 2010 (Part 2 of 2)

World Challenge Uganda 2010 (Part 1 of 2)

World Challenge meets the education department in Malawi

This is some feedback from a project up in northern Malawi.
"We were blessed with another World Challenge group this year as well.

A large group came from Queen Elizabeth’s College in Lincolnshire and an Australian leader named Daine. They were an excellent team and went straight to work at the local primary school, Chikale, constructing another adventure playground. This time with a difference as it had giant games like connect four, bao, a maze and a chess board.

They left a donation as they had budgeted so well which was very generous as a group decision. This could mean a new classroom which is well needed with over 100 students in each class at the moment.

Everyone was very hands on, even those who couldn’t lift, dig, hammer, were kept busy with painting and decorating inside classes. It was great to get a visit from the education department showing interest and well deserved biscuit delivery. Once again I feel so happy to be part of the work this organization does and after all their hard work I get to see the joy it brings to children around us that need play equipment, and as Mr. Moyo, head of education stated a place to give learning minds a chance to rest and have their well earned fun. "

Find out more about World Challenge expeditions to Malawi and Malawi and Zambia