Running to raise funds

Miss Gray and Mr Adam are planning on entering some races in order to raise funds for the 2013/14 South Africa project. They are looking for interested pupils and parents to join them. It's a great opportunity to raise a lot of money for the project, and to get some exercise as well!

If you or your parents are interested, get in touch with either of the staff as soon as you can. 

Photos and videos - South Africa 2013

Dear all,

I've had numerous requests for access to the thousands of photographs and videos we took whilst away in South Africa. Unfortunately, things are never that simple! I've started to upload some to dropbox, although it takes a very long time and I only have 2gb of space to use (despite 40gb of photos/videos).

You should be able to gain access to these through this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o21tibn2auk7uo5/9sXlO8tqgG

I would encourage all others to do the same and sign up with dropbox. You can post me any links to specific folders you wish to share under the comments of this post so everyone can have access to your photos/videos etc.

I'm currently uploading a highlight video that should be available by the end of today. You should be able to view it using the link above. I will continue to upload more photos when I have time :-) 

Thanks

Mr. Carstairs

Review Meeting and Clothing Request

On Wednesday 20th March, from 18:30 - 20:00 we will be holding a review meeting in the Assembly Hall for pupils and parents. Presentations will be given of experiences had by all during this years South Africa trip. Food and drink will also be available.

As our South African visitors arrive on Monday (11th March), can we ask that if anyone has any warm clothes they are willing to donate, be it just for the week or permanently, that they please see Mr. McCallum ASAP. Needless to say the South Africans will not have experienced the impending cold that awaits them! Any jackets or warm jumpers would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Our South African Visitors.

Dear all,

The teachers and students from South Africa arrive on Monday 11^th March.  They land at Glasgow Airport at 11.30am.  They will be here until the 19^th March when they leave from Glasgow at 8.45pm.

I am looking for some “hosting” volunteers on the 11^th – 19th March so that we have enough people willing to host the 4 young people for 2/3 nights and for the duration of their stay.

The students will attend school every day and will be involved in every Diversecity performance.  On other days they will be requiring breakfast and dinner, although the students often organise outings together and we will supply an itinerary after the students who are going / have just returned from South Africa meet to organise this.

I know this is a big ask but these children are always delightful and it is a good opportunity for those students who are going to South Africa next February or those who have just returned to link with someone from our partner schools.  It is often a good idea for two friends to share the hosting.

The pupils from Zwelibanzi are Mnotho and Angel.

  

The pupils from Dloko are Mle and Londy.

     

I would be grateful if you could let me know if you would be willing to participate and which dates you would be able to host a pupil, by returning the tear off slip from the downloadable link below:

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ao20b7icj5449lm/hosting%20letter2013.doc?token_hash=AAEUOa89CAmGbVHZMO7lDmwx1uKd2hxivMOtYQjzhoIRFw&dl=1

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Neil McCallum

Adapters!

Can those who borrowed socket adapters for South Africa 2013 please return them to Mr. McCallum. If anyone bought their own and no longer have use for them, feel free to donate. They can be used with future trips. Again, hand them in to Mr. McCallum.

Thanks!

'Nothing will prepare you for the experience'

Six years at Gillespie's builds up to South Africa. Constant fundraisers throughout the year remind you of the importance of the project. However, no matter how many pictures, stories or video clips you see, nothing will prepare you for the experience of going yourself. You will have no idea of the difference the project makes until you are able to see it in person. Although I have seen videos of the greeting you get in the arrivals of Durban Airport, the intensity of their voices cannot be put across.

I always knew that the students at both Dloko and Zwelibanzi were far from privileged but taking a walk around the township truly showed how little some of these students came from, yet they come to school everyday in pristine uniforms, ready to learn and better their lives. The hope of becoming a doctor, a lawyer or a police officer drives them towards this. It is inspiring and it makes you realise how selfish you are every time you miss class because you can't be bothered.

It is personal stories that truly brings home the importance of the project. A man who was part of the project 10 years ago told us himself that without Gillespie's he wouldn't be where he is now. The gratitude that is both spoken and unspoken is overwhelming. 

Emma Hoskins

'Absolutely loved it'

South Africa 2013 was undoubtedly the time of my life so far. The people I met and the things I saw in Zwelibanzi, Dloko, Charles Memorial and the Sisco Project were unforgettable. Even the staff working in the restaurants and many locals we simply talked to about us being there, were so kind and welcoming and treated us like one of their family. Before I went I was kind of sceptical about how well I would get on with people I had never met, but from the moment I stopped to talk to them I was at ease due to how unbelievably friendly they were, and how keen they were to make friends and chat to you. It's amazing how people that have so little can be so positive and happy. They are so much more focussed than us, without the support and attention that we get from school and our parents. It was really unforgettable. I absolutely loved it.

Ethan Gillies-Denning