On their way!

The team are on their way home....

Thank you so much for reading the blog and all your comments too. We know the team can't wait to show you their own photos and share their experiences with you too.

It's been a pleasure working with Hurst again, the students have been a credit to you all. 

We can't wait to welcome the next team  back to Malawi to work with Joshua and Chilingani again!

Thanks

All at Team Inspire 

Day 12: Last Day

As we woke from a good nights sleep, we discovered two elephants less than 20 metres from our tent. 

Afterwards we are cereal, muffins and a cooked breakfast (it's fair to say we were well fed) we headed to the boat safari. The safari started with many viewings of crocodiles, a variety of birds and lots of laughs of hippos in the water! Our guide Duncan spotted an elephant and it's baby drinking the water, and as we got closer a herd of 13 elephants appeared. They were very cute. It was amazing because we ended up coming within 5m of them! Upon boarding the bus mobile Amy realised she'd left a very important personal and valuable item on the other side of the river...her stuffed pillow case. Our driver then went back across the river to retrieve it. After that we set off to our next destination; Zomba plateau. Where we set up camp once again and went on a guided walk, viewing a very beautiful waterfall where Ellie slipped over in the mud (no serious injuries were obtained). Once we returned to the campsite, we waited until we could travel to the hotel where we would eat dinner. While we were waiting in the bar we completed feedback sheets which made us realise how soon it is until we go home. We then enjoyed a delicious buffer as a final supper in Malawi. As the day draws to a close we have reflected on what an amazing experience we have had. We are now heading back to the campsite to get some much needed rest before tomorrow's long day of travelling (including a 4 hour wait in Addis Ababa). We all agree that we can safely say this trip was brilliant is an understatement. We are looking forward to seeing you all very soon. 

From the Hurst Malawi Team 2016.

Hurst Out *Mic Drop* BOOM

Day 11: Safari!

Today we had an early start to set off on our 5 hour journey to Liwonde national park. Luckily we had Ms Barker's great tunes to keep us going and singing along. We arrived at Mvuu and were taken across the river to the park in a boat, from this we could already see some of the animals! 

We then went to our camp site and were amazed to find a monkey waiting for us and running water in the bathrooms! Then we put up our tents and headed to the reception where we were picked up for our jeep safari. All of us were in one big jeep on some extremely bumpy roads, we all almost fell out! But fortunately our game keepers were able to spot fresh elephant tracks and we found a family of 8 elephants, all of us couldn't believe how close we were to real elephants in their natural habitat. We also got to see monkeys, alligators, warthogs, impala, waterbuck, mongoose and a massive variety of birds. 

Now we are waiting for our BBQ and there is a very different opening ceremony to the amazing one we were lucky enough to receive in Chilingani. I think we are all starting to realise quite how amazing the village was and how much we want to go back already. And are missing Joe a lot!! But we are really looking forward to the boat safari and climbing Zomba plateau tomorrow. 
See you all soon
Maisy and Erin xx

Day 10: Last Day

We woke up this morning to "In the jungle" performed by Shona & Flick. We then headed out for a final bit of work finishing painting the doors the loo doors. 

We had an early break and invited back all of the builders and carpenters for Mandazi and tea after a cold, wet morning. Then after break, because all of our work was done we gathered all the children in the school play area and went to the football pitch for some final fun and games. 

Here we played a very hectic have of stuck in the mud then bulldog with about 150 children! We then played chicken in a hen house which all of the kids were in hysterics about!

We then all returned to the house to start packing in preparation for our early start tomorrow. 

We were all ecstatic to hear that chicken was on today's lunch menu and the boys were salivating over the sight of meaty protein. For our final lunch in Chillingani we were joined by some local dignitaries including the school head, teachers, the Chief's representative and Winnie (one of the founders of Joshua) along with her son David; they had walked 3.5 hours to join us!

Following lunch we had a final practice of 'Pitch Perfects' 'Cup Song' before heading out to join the rest of the village at the leaving ceremony. 

The ceremony began with some fairly energetic dancing which shocked some participating members of the team (I.e Callum). Speeches were made by various members of the community along with Miss Clarke, Leader Aimee and Callum with some heart felt speeches which reflected our sadness to be leaving. A particularly memorable moment of the ceremony was one of the teachers singing a farewell song to us which we all found very touching. Our musical offering of 'the cup song' was received very well! Instead of silence like last time we were met with applause and drumming. 

After saying our final goodbyes we headed back to the house to continue packing . To end the day some of the team took a stroll to get a good view of the setting sun in the Malawian mountains. 

The last supper was followed by an attempt from Josh to teach us all how to make paracord bracelets, some questionable rapping from 'Fresh Prince' by the teachers and leaders and of course some final rounds of Bananagrams. To round things up we will be having a relatively early night in preparation for an early start and 4/5 hour bus journey to the safari.

We are all very sad to be leaving the village and all the children. However, we are also buzzing for the next few days.

See you all on Saturday.

Tionana 

Lots of love,

Erin & Amy 

Xxx

Day 9: Last few days

The day started with yet another spell of rain reflecting the groups tired nature. However after a competitive but fun game of 'riff off' and 'ninja', we headed to our task of painting the classrooms and varnishing desks. It is great to see all our work coming together and there is only half a day of work left before the safari. 

After lunch, the group enjoyed some much needed down time. We soon met Gem, the programme manager of Joshua, who spoke to us about where the money raised has gone (we raised just over £6000!). We also discussed cultural problems which are being tackled, which really opened our eyes to how lucky we are back in England. It is also important to note Miss Barker's impressive two 'murders' in one day (killing Joe and Ellie)*. 

After playing the usual games of Bananagrams and cards, we enjoyed a dinner of rice and veg cooked by Erin, Ellie, and Amy. We are now learning the 'cup song' from Pitch Perfect for the leaving ceremony tomorrow before our safari. 

Wish us luck! Let's hope it goes better than our hymn! 

Much love,
Shona and Flick
Xxx

*The game is now getting heated, with the two final killers being Miss Barker and Dom!

Day 8: Church

Dear parentals,

Your children have continued to delight us with their positive hard working attitudes. Their handy person skills have gone from strength to strength and you'll be pleased to know that the poo chart remains robust.

This morning began with an unexpected lie in before we set off on a walk through the countryside. The Malawians we met were friendly but bemused by the fact that we were walking with no fixed destination. Upon returning to the homestead painting the classrooms resumed with decorating the walls with educational murals. We discovered that painting straight lines are a challenge. Our lengthy lunch break was taken up with the entire houses water supply to wash hair and clothes. We donned our new Chitenges ready for church.

We crowded bare foot into a lovely dirt floor Zionist church, and were welcomed by friendly elders of the village. A rave followed, with energetic dancing from the newborns being jiggled on backs to the mamas rocking out with whistles and shakers.

Our version of amazing grace received several claps, unlike our previous efforts. There was a powerful sermon in Chichewa, which  we could not decipher, but we could feel the passion and sense of community not least in the way in which we were bode farewell individually by the entire congregation. 

Dinner was lovely. Most of your children are addicted to Bananagrams including impressive words such as Apache, night, terror.

Hysteria is setting in amongst the staff.

Toanana,

Miss Clarke (not like the shoe shop) & Miss Barker

Ps some pics of yesterday's Sports Day!

Day 7: Saturday Sports Day!

The day started with a screeching sound, that sounded like 'wake me up before you go go' from Erin and Amy. After finally getting our two leaders for the day, Big Cal and Little Dom, out of bed, we finally sat down for another breakfast of porridge! We then set off into the village, to the classroom where we began painting. 

It was at this location that another member of our team was brutally 'murdered' with a pair of goggles (Dom 'killed' Shona).

After having a lunch of rice and veg,  the two boys decided to wash their clothes... Despite their best efforts, nothing seemed to come out clean (Dom's socks). 

The afternoon then consisted of a sports day with the community where the team and the locals played games of netball and football, as well as bubble blowing, sack races, and skipping. It was clear that chef Aida was a professional at netball. A special shout out needs to go to Amy, however, as she scored an outstanding 10 goals... Out of 100 shots.

We rounded the day up with Ellie, Lily, Pip, Erin, and Maisy making a lovely meal - with Aida's stamp of approval.

One of the highlights of the day has to be stargazing (we had our first clear night of the trip, Yay! - Josh) and finding the Milky Way.  

To round things up, morale in the Malawi household is high and we are all abiding by the 'work hard, play hard' rule. We are all looking forward to our morning trek and especially our Sunday afternoon chapel service. 

Much love from the Malawian big sister house and a couple of brothers. 

An update of the euros winner, score, goal scorers, and if Andy won Wimbledon or not would be much appreciated!

We can't wait to see you all next Saturday but are all ecstatic for the Safari this week. 

Love, 
Shona and Callum 
Xxx

Day 6: Waka Waka

The day started with a rendition of waka waka by Maisy and Shona. Today's jobs consisted of carpentry, liming toilets and plastering. Our tense murder mystery game continued and the plot thickened as 2 more were 'killed', the most entertaining death, by a live chicken being handed to Callum by the water pump. 

The project is continuing to develop and our hard work is evident as the final project is coming together.

One of today's highlights was lunch where we were treated to egg, chips and chapattis (thanks to Ida and Lucy).

The afternoon of work today came to an end with a game of football and of course the hokey kokey with the children. Unfortunately one of the children found themselves in Lily's pathway when she was kicking the ball, however, thankfully no injuries were obtained.

We then had a very nice rice based dinner which was amazing as this time the rice wasn't burnt or stuck together. However, this was all thanks to Chef Ida's strict instructions.

We are currently attempting to teach the gang the 'cup song' to perform at the leaving ceremony on Wedbesday but it's proving to be difficult and extremely loud.

Spirits and energy are high and all is good in the Malawi squad house!

Toanana Mawa!

Lily & Flick

Xxx

Day 5: Bo azimayi/ azibambo

We started our day by having a beautiful remake of the little mermaid by the teachers (our wake up call).

During breakfast our leaders Aimee and Josh introduced us to a game called assassin, which would last the rest of the trip. The aim of the game is to 'kill' the person you were allocated by passing a specific object to the person you were allocated in a specific location. The first person to be 'murdered' was our cook Ida which left her in fits of laughter. So far 7 are 'dead' with 7 remaining. 

The project has now developed into a walled building with brick work and plastering near completion on the new toilet block. 

During our break we were taught some basic Chichewa by our project officer Joe.

In the evening we finished things off with the hat game. The group was split into 2 teams and we had 3 rounds to compete:

1. Describe the famous person

2. Describe with 1 word

3. Act it out

The game became very competitive between the teams.

Now we're just heading to bed with Everyone getting an early night (7.30pm).

Usiko Wabwino

Maisy & Pip xxx

(P.s Happy birthday to Juan)

PPS sorry wi fi is not playing ball

tonight so no photo today!!

Day 4: Bananagrams

Hi everyone back home!

Today was our 2nd working day in Malawi, which included painting a loo while a fierce football match was taking place. The sun has been shining and spirits were high. 

The day began with Flick and Dom waking at 6 to help with breakfast and collect water - with the help of Callum. It was down to today's leaders - Amy and Callum to deligate roles. 

One of today's highlights today had to be the spaghetti lunch (which was rather unsuccessful on Monday night when it was down to us to make essentially the same thing!)

Amy's army of adorable children only grew bigger - following yesterday's game of ring-a-ring-a-roses. We have also discovered our obsession with 'bananagrams', although our Inspire leader, Aimee, beats us every time.

Although it was not all fun and games as we all had the 'pleasure' of painting the interior of the long drops.  But not all down in the dumps as our poo tally chart has gone from strength to strength.

Currently, Shona and JC are involved in a match of our favourite game bananagrams, while Maisy, Callum's,  Lily and Pip are hard at work in the kitchen cooking up tonight's meal. Today was also a first for some as they attempted to wash their clothes - some need a little more practice than others!!

We miss you all but are very much enjoying our time in this amazing place. We are learning so much from this experience.

P.s Please don't forget to comment!

Love,

Ellie & Flick

Day 3: Blog!

Dear family and friends of Hurst Malawians 2K16,

Its the lads time in the limelight. 

Today was an exciting day for everyone, however the common phrase 'bring the good weather back with you' would make no change to the conditions back home.

On the first Tuesday of our expedition, we began the project. For Ellie and Big Cal it was a very early start. However, we were all woken up at (in my personal opinion) at a. obscene time by the high - pitched squeals of Callum's cold shower.

Here's a little rap prepared for you:

Breakfast was highly nutritious,
but it was also delicious,
mixed with peanut butter and honey,
it's not even funny,
it didn't have to be sunny,
to bring the honey out in everyone,
Dom and Call out.
(mic drop)

BOOM!
Simon Cowell sign us up.

After our scrumptious breakfast, we all got ready and headed out into the village. 

Fortunately for Erin, a bin bag was on hand to replace her absent rain coat. 

Once we headed out into the village we split into four groups; brick laying, brick carrying, sand moving and cement mixing, and carpentry. New experiences all round, especially in mixing cement and building the walls of the new toilet block.

Maisy confidently led the way with two bricks under her arms, followed by five year old girls carrying six bricks on their heads! Maisy also expressed her innate modelling skills, not even having to pose for Aimee's camera.

A portion of our time was spent making desks and tables to fill the classrooms that were built by former Hurst Malawians.

Arriving back at the house, the two of us boys got the Frisbee out (a bucket lid), however when the more pro Frisbee - er Pip Mooney had a try, the Frisbee,  en route to Callum's hands was 'blown' into a crowd of children.

This comes to the end of our time so Josh our leader doesn't have to stay up late typing it up (we had an extra 3000 words to explain everything in detail!). (I'm very grateful gents! - Josh)

To round it up, morale in the Malawi household is high, despite the rain - smiles all round! 

Please feel free to comment in the boxes below.

Love, the two boys

Callum and Dom
xxx

Day 3: Some photos from today!

Blog is following tomorrow morning!

Day 2: Chilangani

After an early start we left the Fisherman's Rest Lodge and started on our way to Chillingani. 

On the way we picked up Joseph our Project Officer. We then stopped at a feeding centre nearby to the village for children under 6. 

We helped give them their breakfast which was a maize porridge mix and sang with them. 

The hokey kokey was a particular favourite! They also taught us a chant where we were in a circle with people dancing in the middle. Maisy and Dom were asked to show off their skills and I think everyone was impressed! We then continued our journey.

On arrival in Chillingani village we were overwhelmed by the amount of people who came out to greet us. We had a delicious lunch made for us. 

Later on in the afternoon we were called out of our house by the sounds of drums and singing and we knew the welcome  ceremony was starting. During the ceremony there were lots of speeches and traditional dances, one which we got to join in with!

We also contributed to the ceremony with a rendition of 'Shine Jesus Shine', which wasn't received particularly well!! Afterwards we went back, cooked dinner and slept after a very busy day.

Day 1: Arrival

After the rather emotional goodbye at school we headed to Heathrow airport to catch the lengthy journey on the dream liner (consisting of sleep, movies and making bracelets. 

Finally we stopped at Addis Ababa to get our second flight to Blantyre. I think we can all agree, the highlight of our travels was the bus journey from the airport, listening to the drivers very own Gospel music album, eating sausage rolls and waving at the friendly locals. 

At last, we arrived at the rustic Fisherman's Rest in Blantyre, running in from the rain to devour a meal consisting of chicken stew, rice and beans followed by cake for Erins birthday (and trying to avoid the hairy spiders). 

Today we will be driving to Chillingani village and setting up camp  before starting the project.

Shona & Lily

Day 1: Arrival

Dear all

Just to let you know that the team have all arrived safely into Malawi and are on their way to Fisherman's Rest in Blantyre where they will stay tonight.

We will try and send a photo later on and another update then too!

Update from Malawi Inspire Leaders

Team Hurst!

We hope you're ready and raring to go - we've been out here almost a week now planning and preparing for your imminent arrival with the wonderful team at Joshua Orphan and Community Care.

We've visited the village, shopped till we dropped for everything we need and currently on route to check out Safari!

The villagers including chief and particularly the kids couldn't be more excited to welcome you to Malawi.

Safe travels and we look forward to seeing you soon - bring on the trip of a lifetime!

Aimee & Josh 

Ps it's hot during the day at the moment but chilly at night!

Pre Departure Info

Dear Team Malawi,

We hope that your preparation and packing is going well!

Just a couple of last-minute tips:

1.  Please remember that your luggage allowance for the main hold is 23kg maximum + 5kg for hand luggage. Please do keep to this allowance. It should be more than enough for all your kit.
2. Please do not to pack any walking boots on the outside of the main hold luggage. They almost certainly won’t arrive still attached, we recommend you wear your boots for the flight to keep them safe (and save on weight in your main bag).
3.  Please also pack a change of underwear, toothbrush (not paste, unless it is less than 100ml) and any other absolute essentials in your hand luggage (i.e. medication, anti-malarial tablets), just in case any main bags go missing on the flight. It is unlikely, but best to be safe.
4. It is quite chilly in the evenings in Malawi at the moment so please remember to pack a warm jumper.

Keeping in touch:
We have set up this blog for your group, to keep parents and friends up to date with what your team is up to. 

 Your family and friends can comment on posts and photographs. We will be updating the blog as often as possible with your news. Please feel free to pass this link on to anyone who you think would like to stay up to date with the team’s activities.

Trip Information: 
Don’t forget you can find specific trip information and documents here: http://inspire-worldwide.com/hurstpierpoint-trip-information-2016 This page has some key documents (itinerary, trip information pack, risk assessments) plus general Inspire information and our Emergency number – also detailed below.

Flights and arrival: As you know you will be flying with Ethiopian Airlines from London Heathrow via Addis Ababa. We will update the blog to let your family and friends know when you have arrived safely in Malawi.

On arrival in Malawi Aimee and Josh, the Inspire Group Leaders, will be there to meet you wearing their Inspire t-shirts. You will then take the short drive by private bus to the Fishermans Rest Lodge in Babati, where you will have time for some lunch and a rest and then some in-country orientation with your leaders.

If your family need to contact a member of the team urgently at any point please make a note of the Inspire 24 hour EMERGENCY number: 07531 872 658. This number is manned in the UK 24 hours a day in case of any emergency situations where your family/friends need to contact a member of the team urgently.

For all other queries, please use the Inspire office number: 01273 249543.

If you have any last minute questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Otherwise we hope you have an incredible time and look forward to keeping your family and friends updated throughout your time in Malawi.

With best wishes
Jess and all at Inspire Worldwide