Day 12

The team are now preparing to leave Fawlty Towers and begin the 6hour journey back to Lusaka. It's been a lovely few days in Livingstone filled with new sights and adventure! 

Day 11

Today's trip was another early rise and off to borders to make the crossing over to Botswana. It was a concoction of boat rides and bus rides to get us to the start of our safari! 

The team divided in team with half starting the day with tea and cakes on the boat and a morning or water safari, whilst the other team had tea and cakes on land and headed off the Chobe Safari park. We all met together at lunch at a great restaurant on the Chobe river where a huge buffet was on display. The river safari identified the main point at which four african countries met - Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana - an impressive landmark!

The teams then swapped safari tours in the afternoon so both groups got the experience of water and land safari with elephants, hippos, giraffe and crocodiles all in sight!!! 

Personally a very exciting and impressive experience!

Day 10

Monday saw two more birthdays on the trip and a wonderful outing to Victoria falls.

We walked the entire length of the falls as well as walking down to the boiling pot which overlooked the Zimbawe-Zambia bridge where many travellers do the famous bungee jumps! 

One group had the pleasure of a baboon leading us down the trail - a very amusing experience! 

However the climb back up from the boiling pot was an exhausting experience to say the least!!! 

Day 9

Apologies for the major delay in blogging. There has been considerably limited access to wifi the past few days!

Day 9 saw the children rise at an early hour to a full English breakfast. We then set off on our blue spot lit coach to Livingstone. Approximately 3 hours later we took a rest stop where women had to pay 2 kwacha to use the bathroom in comparison to the 1 kwacha fee for men!!!

Another 3 or so hours later we arrived at Fawlty Towers in Livingstone and settled in to our lovely rooms!

We had the luxury of eating out at a traditional African restaurant for dinner with a great BBQ selection and ice cream pudding! Everyone left full and ready for a good nights sleep!  

Day 8

This morning the team headed to Twitti school for the second and final day of the tournament. It was a complete contrast to the setting of the tournament yesterday at St Patricks. The tournament today consisted of each of the teams our groups have been coaching throughout the week. These included, Twitti, Yanos, Lilayi, Grand IQ as well as dancers from Guardian Angels who kicked off the tournament. There was a real buzz to the day with team supporters chanting and dancing around both pitches in support of their team. All teams worked extremely hard to perform to their best and this was very much evident through the tears and laughter that came with games won and lost. Again all our Esher team rocked hard together to organise and run a very successful event.

Georgia Mercer - "Today was tournament day number 2. Today's tournament was very different to yesterday. There were less people in the crowds but much more noise. The atmosphere was really incredible, there was so much passion from the children, the parents and the coaches. The fields were packed with teams in brightly coloured tshirts whooping and cheering. not forgetting the organisers and managers running around with stressed faces making sure everything is running smoothly. All their hard work paid off in the end to make a really fantastic day for the children and everyone else. Well done teams Grand IQ and Yanos!"

Megan Gregory - "The week has been tiring but fun. It was good to see all the training we've done with the children go into the tournament. It was sad to see the children who didn't win upset. But really nice to see Yanos (the poorer school) win against Twitti. The hardest part wasto see St Patricks yesterday, it was far more upsetting to see in person than on tv shows like Comic Relief. But really nice to talk to the families that lived there. Overall it was a really good experience and I won't forget it."

Miah Gayle - "It has been 8 days and I'm still having such a great time in Zambia. It was the last day to see the children and it was the last tournament. I had a lot of fun teaching the lovely children rugby and every time I see the children smile or winning a game, it really puts a big smile on my face. I wish I had more time with them because it made me realise how grateful I am and that I should appreciate that I have a nice place to live, going to school, medical care and people like my family that take good care of me. I really do think this trip has opened my eyes."

Hannah Lumsden - "Today was tournament number 2. We really enjoyed it and it was more exciting than yesterday because the teams that we playing were the teams we coached throughout the week. It was really nice to see all the children together, having fun, and competing against each other. It was also very emotional to say goodbye to them but we are all glad we have made a small impact on their lives."

Charlotte Wilsdon - "Despite the early start, today's tournament was an enjoyable day for everyone. Held at Twitti school, there was a competitive but supportive atmosphere, raising spirit throughout the day. It was great watching the matches as most of us knew the teams or players."

Catie Mackie - "Today was our last day and really put into perspective the difference we've made in the children's lives. Throughout the week, I've really been able to see how lucky we are at one compared to the children over here. I've been really fortunate and visited many of the schools we have been going to as well and it has also been very interesting to see the differences between the schools in virtually the same area. I've really loved being around the children, playing rugby and doing dance. I will never forget this week."

Olivia Koplick - "It was a day we had all been waiting for! The final tournament between the teams we had been coaching. The atmosphere was incredible as all the teams lined up to start the fixtures. The tournament began with the Guardian Angels children performing the dance we had recently taught them. This was a proud moment for all the dancers. Following this, the tournament kicked off with all the teams trying their hardest. To mine, Elisha and Megan's delight the Grand IQ team we had coached in the week got through to the semi finals of the bowl cup. Before the match, me and Elisha gave the team a prep talk and in the first 7minutes our team scored two try's. After winning the semi finals, the Grand IQ team went on to play Lilayi. The final had everyone holding their breath, watching mesmerised, crossing their fingers. Finally after a tense 14minutes, Grand IQ scored the final try and won the game! I felt so proud to see the children we had coached lift the trophy that they deserved!"

Katy Cooper - "Today was the second tournament which was held at Twitti school and had the teams which we had been coaching competing against each other. For the past few days we have been visiting Guardian Angels school teaching them a dance we had put together and today we performed it in front of everyone at the tournament. All our hard work paid off and it went really well. The whole tournament ran smoothly and it was great to see Yanos win!"

Day 7

I can't quite believe its been a week here in Zambia already. Today was the first day of the tournaments with the pre-trained teams competing. These were primarily schools that we visited during the week but haven't focused on as part of our daily tag rugby coaching sessions, as they have had training in previous years. These teams included Sosco, Guardian Angels and Chilanga. During the week, some of the groups have given these schools refresher coaching sessions to prepare them for the tournament today. Today's tournament was held at St Patricks, one of the poorer areas we have visited. Tomorrows tournament will see the schools our students have been coaching all week compete against each other at Twitti school. The atmosphere was fantastic, with crowds watching the games and cheering support. It was the first day out that all our team have worked together in the same place. The team will give you there account of the day from all different perspectives:

Rob Mackie - "Today was the first tournament day and I teamed up with Max to coach/manage an orphanage school, Guardian Angels who turned out to do very well. The tournament was in a small school called St. Patrick's which a leader and and I went to teach at yesterday. It was a dusty field with no grass but turned out to be an ideal location - within a community, as lots of supporters arrived to watch. The children in my team were amazing not only on but also off the pitch. It was a great feeling seeing the children smile as they played this new game and the disappointment at the end showed they really cared. It was a great day and I look forward to getting home to add some of the guys on Facebook!"

Daisy Murray - "today was the first tournament day. We went to St Patricks school and it was really fun. We set up three pitches and there was a total of 12 teams, which meant that only 6 teams could play at a time. When we were there some people were managing the teams and there were 2 managers per team. There were also the four pitch managers who were making sure that everyone was where they were supposed to be. Everyone else was on crowd control and or refereeing but I had my hands full with stopping children walking onto the pitch in the middle of play and trying to keep them a safe distance away from the try line so they wouldn't get hurt by the players when a try was scored. For the tournament we had to leave before 8am so we had to be completely ready by breakfast at 7am. Because we were doing the tournament all morning, we didn't want to eat in front of the children so we didn't have lunch until we were on the bus back to Baobab early afternoon. Today was really fun."

Leigh Heynike - "Today was our first tournament at St Patricks. To get to the field we had to walk through 'Real Africa' with mud huts and grass roofs. We were given teams to look after and Catie and I had Sosco 2. All the children were given matching t-shirts that they would later keep. It was so much fun cheering the children on and seeing the smiles on their faces. They could hardly believe it when they got to the final and then when they won 6-1 they were ecstatic! They ran to me and Catie with big smiles and hugs - it was amazing!"

Becky O'Brien - "Today was the first day of the tournaments. I didn't know what to expect it it was a very enjoyable day and the atmosphere was lively and the children were very excited. I felt proud watching the children play as they had made tremendous progress in the sport we had spent the past few days coaching them in and I can't wait for tomorrow."

Phoebe Eggar - "Today was really good. We ran the tournament. I volunteered to be a pitch manager and so had to go down early. The crowds at St Patricks were crazy, they were following the home team. The pitch was in the centre of a community, most of the houses were mud huts with straw roofs. The children from the community came in their hundreds and got in very close to the try lines. It was crazy hot and everyone came back exhausted!!"

Molly Read - "I had a great day today. This morning was slow because we left the college at 8am so we had to wake up early for breakfast at 7am. We left the college to go to St Patricks School to do a tournament with 12 teams from all the different schools. It was really fun, quite tiring. We were there for about 7 hours. I'm having fun with the children but it was sad when we had to say goodbye yesterday. It's a great experience."

Lara McIllwraith - "Today was the day that all the hours of coaching would pay off. Held by St Patricks school, the tournament took place in a small run down village in which the locals lived in huts. 12schools were involved in the tournament in the tournament and to ensure it ran smoothly we each had a different job. As well as refereeing a game, I had the role of managing a team along with Elisha. This job involved making sure all the subs were swapped in and making sure the team was playing on the right pitch at the right time. The day went really well and everyone had a great time."

Megan Houska - "Today we had a tag rugby tournament that we refereed and managed teams for. It was held at St Patricks school which was in a poor village we had to walk through. Each of us had different jobs. We all stood on the side of the pitch cheering the exams on. It was a good experience and it was great to see the children really happy."

Day 6

I think I can say that today was one of the hardest days of the trip so far. The team had to select their teams for the tournament and with these choices came the bitter disappointment for those that didn't make the team. It was also a day when our team had to say goodbye to many of the children they have been working with which I know is a really difficult thing to do when they have made such an impact on their lives in such a short space of time. Again I've asked each group to write about their experiences from the day:

Group 1:

Morgan Burne - "Today it was our last day at Twitti and to be honest it was quite hard. I was in charge of choosing the grade 4 team and let's say I got a lot of stick for it. Children came up to me afterwards wanting to know why they didn't make the team whilst I was coaching the grade 5 team. Overall it was a good tiring day but worth it as I won a 'BarOne'(Zambian equivalent to a mars bar) for telling the children who didn't make the team. Yay! Now everyone is tired but ready for the tournament."

Will Tonkin - "Today Max and I had to coach the 'elite' team. It was easy because most knew what they were doing. Half way through Max was deciding which player should stay or go and had left me to coach the group on my own. It was tough but at the end I felt good. Later we went to Grand IQ - lots of the children there were very excited. They love to have their photos taken and meeting new people. It was great!"

Group 2:

Megan Hedges - "Today we went to Lilayi. We chose the groups for the tournament which was stressful but fun. It was emotional and the hardest day so far especially to see all the children happy and enjoying themselves. I then made my way to Grand IQ. I have to say it was the funniest day of the week - I met a little boy who sang 'who let the dogs out' which was the cutest and funniest thing ever!"

Mackenzie Wright - "Today group 2 & 3 travelled to Lilayi for our final day of teaching and playing with the Yanos and Lilayi students. It was the most emotional and by far the hardest day so far, as we had to choose from the many students who will play in the tournaments on Friday and Saturday. It was a tiring day of constant coaching and organising, but it all proved of worth by the end of the day (despite frustration through it). It was sad to say goodbye to some of the children but it was still a great day."

Group 3:

Ben Jeffries - "Being the art day of coaching, it's sad to know we won't see some of these great children and teachers again. The happiness tag rugby gives these children is fantastic and it has been nice to see them grow over the week. I've felt I've become a much better coach as well. However today was very difficult as we chose our final teams for the tournament. Having to tell children they are not picked proved to be hard as hey all give 100% every time. It's nice working with children so enthusiastic."

Charlotte Scarfe - "Today was the last day of coaching before the tournaments. As well as it being really difficult to pick the teams and deal with the children who weren't picked, it was also the last time we would see most of the children at the school and after working there all week that was emotional. I have been working at Lilayi in in the morning each day and going in a smaller group to different schools each afternoon. I has been so lovely to meet all the different people and so interesting to see the different areas."

Group 4:

Lauren Gwynn - Today was our last day with a lot of the children and not forgetting my birthday of course! It has been a very emotional day saying goodbye to the children. Some of them made me cards and gave me little gifts that I'll keep forever. I am loving my time here and my favourite thing is making the children happy. I can't wait to see my African friends tomorrow. It has definitely been a birthday to remember!"

Brad Welfare - "For a lot of the children, this was our last day with them. So for all of us, especially the girls, it was very emotional. Another thing that made today very hard for some of us was picking the teams for the tournament tomorrow. Children would be crying and begging to get in to the team. I personally found it extremely hard to say no to them. Particularly ones I have bonded with. I'm looking forward to the rest of my time here, especially the tournaments. Zambia is great and I don't want to go at all."

Group 5:

Daniel Duckham - "Today was the most tiring day at Musvambra. Many of the children had only a basic understanding of the game from the day before. We moved on to Grand IQ where we were greeted by quite a few screaming children! Once through the crowds, we began our goodbyes by watching the main team play and watching the children dance to music."

Lydia Myatt - "Today was an emotional day saying bye to the children we became close to. Even though we may have been upset to leave them, the smiles on their faces made everything better knowing we've made a small change to their lives.  Apart from saying bye to them, I've enjoyed teaching Guardian Angels a dance throughout the past few days which they will be performing on Saturday."