This summer, students travelled to Eswatini to assist in the construction of the Mhlumeni High School science laboratory.
The nineteen students of Team 731 travelled 7-31 July, and the fifteen students of Team Lasalette travelled 9 July- 2 Aug.
Team 731
Team 731 travelled from the UK to Johannesburg where they met their land transfer and drove six hours through to Eswatini, arriving late afternoon at Mlilwane Reserve.
On the morning of day two, they had an acclimatisation hike around the reserve, seeing wildlife including warthogs, zebras and crocodiles. In the afternoon, they had some planning, including organising food and menus, equipment and wildlife identification.
On day three, the team went shopping for supplies and moved to Mbuluzi Reserve. In the morning, they set up camp and prepared for project work. In the afternoon, one group headed out for a short wildlife search while others walked to the river for some quiet time.
Day four saw an early start for three groups. First to go were those going to clear the areas of non-native species, leaving on a tractor-trailer. They worked alongside local women to pull up the invasive weeds that grew to colonise the reserves and restrict the growth of other plants. The second group was tasked with the renovation of the bird hide. The final group went wildlife spotting and counted species – this latter task proved tricky to manage as routes were difficult in the truck provided.
On day five, groups rotated tasks. For those on clearing the bush – this was especially tough as temps hit 35 degrees by mid-morning. The remainder of the team headed for the Northern part of the reserve to lay pipes, but unfortunately, the lack of materials meant that work was limited. The third group were out to survey for wildlife. Day six saw a short journey moving on to Hlane National Park with a sunset safari.
On day seven, the team was up early and relocated to the main project. The group stopped in Siteke for fresh supplies and then drove up towards the Mozambique border to the Mhlumeni community and settled at Mhlumeni Bush camp.
Project time! The next 10 days would be spent at the school. The team assisted the builders in getting two buildings as close to roof height as possible in advance of the handover presentation. In addition, students would spend time teaching at the neighbouring primary school, in the high school classrooms, marking examination papers, clearing the school grounds, litter picking and extending the vegetable gardens. When not working and at student break times the SHSK students were able to mix and play card games and chat with the local students.
On Handover Day, the team was joined by many visitors to the school including government education department ministers, journalists and the local Chief and community representatives. This was an important day for the school as this would secure the potential support from the government to commit to the funding for the roof of the science building (one of the two buildings SHSK worked on – the other will eventually be teacher accommodation) to guarantee the school being able to open up to and extend places to Form 4 (GCSE & A level) students – allowing these students to remain in the community to continue their final years of education – instead of having to move to Siteke (28km away).
On day eighteen, the group transferred to Hlane National Reserve for a Rhino safari where they were able to walk in close proximity to the animals under the watchful eye of very experienced guides. This was the last night sleeping in a tent but not the last night outside!
The last night was spent under the stars as the group planned to hike out to Sudwini camp. It was a strenuous walk, around 10km in the bush, with the guides cutting paths and clearing away the sharp and unforgiving brush-like bushes. Throughout the day, they saw wildlife close-up and travelled through their feeding grounds (no lions here!). They arrived at the camp – a complete oasis of green in the bush, around the river surrounded by tall, lush trees and a great spot for seeing hippos – should they decide today was the day! The team were cooked for on an open fire and slept in bush rolls, ready-made mattress rolls. After waking to the birdsong and a cool but clear morning, they returned on foot to the main Hlane camp – they didn’t have long there before they had to be ready to leave for their transfer to Mbabane – for the R&R phase of the trip – staying at Legends.
On day twenty-one, the team enjoyed the zip wire at Malalotja Reserve, a twenty-minute off-road drive to the top of the steeply-sided wooded valley brought the group to the start of eleven continuous zip wires. All passing high over the river below and affording a great view of the surrounding area.
Horse riding at Mlilwane Reserve was the final activity before we departed for the UK. By this stage, unfortunately, some students were not very well, and the team was working hard to maintain the spread of the bug whilst keeping the group spirits high. We departed Mbabane early for the return drive to Johannesburg for an evening flight.
Team Lasalette
When Team Lasalette arrived in Johannesburg, they met their land transfer and drove six hours to Eswatini, arriving at Mlilwane Reserve by late afternoon.
On the morning of day two, they had an acclimatisation hike around the reserve, seeing wildlife including warthogs, zebras and crocodiles. In the afternoon, they had some planning, including organising food and menus, equipment and wildlife identification.
The next day, they took a short journey to Hlane National Park and enjoyed a sunset safari.
On day five the team hiked out to Sudwini camp. It was a strenuous walk, around 10km in the bush and under a fierce sun, with the guides cutting paths and clearing away the sharp and unforgiving brush-like bushes. Unfortunately, the team didn’t see much wildlife but had a tense moment with a rhino close by. They arrived at the camp – a complete oasis of green in the bush, around the river surrounded by tall, lush trees and a great spot for seeing hippos.
They were cooked for on an open fire (it was an incredible meal!) and slept in bush rolls, ready-made mattress rolls, listening to baboons fighting nearby.
After waking to the birdsong and a cool but clear morning, the team returned on foot to a delicious lunch back at Hlane. After packing up camp, they met their driver for the next ten days and headed to the church for the start of their project. They set up camp on the grounds whilst some of the group headed to the shops to buy food. The church was on a banana plantation and surrounded by banana plants as well as sugar cane and maize fields. The team always had early starts as the workers arrived very early! Later in the trip, they benefitted from the local food by buying some maize from a local farmer for a dinner treat.
Project time! The next ten days were spent in the local village Section 19 where the girls were tasked with continuing a building project started many years ago to provide housing for local elderly people who no longer had family to care for them. The girls assisted the builders in getting two rooms as close to roof height as possible in advance of the handover presentation. In addition, students spent time at the care point in the village playing with the children, singing songs, preparing and serving meals, painting colourful murals on the walls and creating a new vegetable garden. The team was so efficient, and people were so impressed with their murals that they were asked to go to another village to paint murals in their care point!
On Sunday during the project, the team were guests of honour at the morning church service. Students were invited to speak to the congregation about their project and also sang the school hymn.
Handover Day was the final morning at the village and saw a celebration with villagers and local church leaders. The ladies of the village danced for the students and the local children sang for them. The team made a speech about their project and were congratulated by the local Pastor for their efforts. They were then treated to a feast of homemade pizza and other delicious food which tasted even better after endless rice and vegetables!
After packing everything away, the team left the church for the final time and headed to Mbuluzi Reserve where they camped on a stunning site in the reserve. They cooked over the fire and had open-air showers heated by lighting a fire. The night sky was free of light pollution, so the stars were incredibly clear, and the group spotted the different constellations in the Southern Hemisphere sky.
The safari team went out on the first game camp while the rest of the group relaxed on camp or went for a gentle walk to the river.
Day seventeen saw an early start as the team began their conservation work. Some of the group went out on a game count while the rest of the group was involved in preparations for a race taking part in the reserve the following weekend to raise money for conservation work. The girls helped to put up the start/finish line and tables ready for the stalls. Later those doing the conservation work went out with the rangers to repair roads leading to the camp. They had to dig out large rocks in the road and cover holes. In the evening, the group enjoyed marshmallows over the open fire.
Day eighteen saw more conservation (this time clearing invasive species from the reserve) and game counting. The morning counting crew had the incredible opportunity to walk with giraffes!
Race day! The group was up early, ready to either run the race or to marshal. Those marshalling were collected early and taken by truck to various points around the course to direct runners. Those running tackled either a 5km, 10km or 15km route around the reserve. Students had huge success in the event with one HelKat winning a prize for the 15km and two in the 5km. There was a prize-giving ceremony and the winning students were given trees which they later planted on the campsite for future visitors to enjoy. One of the students also won a booby prize for leaving her boots unattended on the campsite! The team enjoyed treats from the various stalls – maize cooked over an open fire, warm mealy bread wrapped in maize leaves, cold drinks and hot chocolate from the coffee stall. After the ceremony and packing up camp, they returned to Hlane National Park.
Day twenty saw a very early start for a morning game drive. The group spotted lions, and elephants and stopped at a lake for a warm drink. They also walked to see rhinos up close and spotted lots of giraffes hiding in the bush. It was the team’s last night under canvas!
The next day, the group left Hlane for the final time and headed for Malolotja, where they stayed in log cabins and enjoyed a bed for the first time in a while! The temperature there was much lower, as it was in the mountains, and it was a bit of a shock after the heat of the previous weeks. Lots of kit sorting and time to relax.
The next day, the group enjoyed the zip wire at Malalotja Reserve, a twenty-minute off-road drive to the top of the steeply sided wooded valley brought the group to the start of eleven continuous zip wires, all passing high over the river below and affording a great view to the surrounding area.
Later, the group transferred to Legends Hostel for their last couple of nights. The girls had budgeted really well throughout the trip, so they were able to go to a local pizzeria for an amazing meal with some incredible drinks!
The team visited a market on their final morning where they had the opportunity to buy some souvenirs from their trip. Later, they visited Mlilwane Reserve to go horseback riding in the reserve. They were a very mixed group of experienced riders and first-timers, but everyone had a go and enjoyed the experience.
The final leaving meal saw gifts and thanks in a local sports bar where they caught a brief glimpse of some Olympic action!
The team departed Mbabane early for the return drive to Johannesburg for an overnight flight home.
