FHS in Bandawe

The next leg

At the moment the group should be settling down for an overnight stay in Nairobi airport. Not the most comfortable arrangement but since they have an early start probably a sensible one.

The next leg of their journey takes them from Nairobi to Lilongwe – but it’s a ‘circular’ (think bus routes) that goes via Lusaka airport in Zambia. You can get details on the Flightstats website. It does mean a longer outward trip but they’ll be on the short leg on the way home. Hopefully they’ll also get to see a bit more of the country from the air.

And they’re off!

A surprisingly on-time and awake bunch of teachers, students and parents started gathering at the check-in concourse of Glasgow airport from around 3.40 this morning. One hour later everyone was checked in and heading for the security area.

The obligatory group photo was taken.

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Even the rector, Mr Anderson and another teacher, Miss Derrick, came along to see everyone off – that has to be above and beyond the call of duty at 5am.

Amidst a few tears and plenty of hugs, the group were sent on their way and bleary-eyed parents headed home. At the time of writing the group are probably at 30000 feet somewhere over southern Europe heading for Nairobi. We look forward to hearing from them later today.

Journals

During the trip, everyone is being encouraged to keep a journal to record their thoughts and experiences. It is hoped that they will then share these thoughts when they return and you can read them on the website.

If you plan on publishing your journal on the website, create it as a new page and make its ‘Parent’ page the ‘Journals’ section. You can write it as one single page, split it into pages or even into subsections. But however, you choose to present it, please share your thoughts with everyone reading.

So, what is the group going to be doing?

Loads of stuff and hopefully they’ll let us know all about them when they get back.

But, if you want a rough idea of what the plans are, check out their itinerary.

There are no hard and fast plans, largely because everything will be running to ‘Malawi time’. That means things happen when they happen.

Itinerary 08

Sunday 29th June 2008 Departure – at the unsociable time of 05:55

Flying from Glasgow to Amsterdam and on to Nairobi.

Overnight stay in Nairobi airport (that’ll be comfy then).

Monday 30th of June – Flight from Nairobi to Lilongwe.

Overnight stay in the Korea Garden lodge (Korean hotel in Malawi – no idea why).

Tuesday 1st of July – travel to Salima.

Overnight stay in Senga Bay Safari Lodge.

Wednesday 2nd of July – Travel to Bandawe.

Staying at Sambani Lodge.

2nd to 12th July

Daily visits to Bandawe All Girls Secondary School.
Excursions to Nkhata Bay, Old Bandawe, Mzuzu, Mukundi Orphan Care, Chinteche Hospital

All-day trips to Nkhata Bay for sightseeing and shopping and Mzuzu for a visit to the synod offices and the local museum.

13th of July – travel to Lilongwe.

Overnight stay in Korea Garden

14th of July – Flight from Lilongwe to Nairobi.

15th of July – Nairobi to Amsterdam to Glasgow.

Arrive in Glasgow at around 21:40.

Go home, sleep for a few days.

Start planning visits to tell everyone all about the trip.

Another wee update

On Friday, there was a parents’ information evening but there was also a wee social gathering beforehand. The group was very pleased to welcome Michael Matheson MSP as a special guest. Mr. Matheson has been very supportive in helping the group secure funding from local businesses.

As always, some piccies are in the gallery

Today (Saturday) saw us in the Howgate shopping centre rattling buckets and accosting unwary shoppers. Once again the Samba band were on hand to make some attention-grabbing noise and a very respectable total of around £630 was raised. Thank you to everyone who helped out and to those who contributed so generously.

Many of the other donations from businesses and other events have also been tallied and the total raised is just over £6000.

Fundraising update

The fundraising efforts at the school show brought another £402 into the coffers. Added to this, £353 was raised from the sponsored waxing and £157 from the various quizzes.

This brings the total raised so far to around £2850!

Thank you all so much for your generosity and support.

Please do try and pop along to the coffee morning in Old and St. Modan’s Church this Saturday (14th June). Unfortunately I’ll not be there so if anyone has any photos from the event that they’d like uploaded, let me know (or leave a comment) and I’ll sort something out.

Come along to Callander Square…

… on the 31st of May where you can be entertained by (some of) the Falkirk High School Samba band and other musical delights. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about the FHS – Bandawe link and to speak to some of those who are going.

You can also take the Chitenge challenge. If you want to know what that is, you’ll need to come to Callander Square shopping centre in Falkirk between 12 and 2pm on Saturday 31st of May.

Callendar Square

Raising awareness of the trip for the wider community in Falkirk.

Those going on the trip will be at Callendar Square shopping centre to tell people all about the trip, what they hope to achieve and to help raise the profile of the great work that is being done in Malawi by individuals, groups and charities from Scotland.

Ably supported by the samba band and choir, the event should be a great day.

Urgent message!!