This final blog post will offer a brief account of our last goodbyes in South Africa, as well as providing some overall reflections on what has been a truly incredible 8 days. Having arrived home mid-afternoon on Saturday, we have taken our time to try and write this final blog post, in the hope that it can go some way towards capturing how lucky we feel to have been part of the 2017 Bambisanani visit…
Prior to starting our long journey home on Friday, we first said some emotional goodbyes to Graham and the staff at Sugar Hill Manor. They really have been sensational hosts throughout the duration of our stay, and a number of gifts were handed out by staff and students alike as a small token of our collective appreciation. Having loaded up the minibus one last time, our equally amazing driver, Jordan, then drove us to Durban airport, stopping off at Logan’s family home just outside the city for one last celebratory meal. Sharing a final meal as a group, all seated around the same table, provided a fitting ending to a wonderful visit. The food did not disappoint either, and we would like to say a big thank you to Logan and the Govender family for welcoming us into their home on our way to the airport. Both Logan and Jordan have been an almost constant, and much valued presence throughout our visit, and so it was a pleasure discus our personal highlights, and our aspirations for the future of the partnership, over a lovely home-cooked meal.
From there we headed off to the airport, and I am pleased to report that we all arrived home safe and sound (albeit rather tired from another 24 hour period in transit). Throughout the journey, staff and students could often be heard exchanging stories for the amazing time we shared together, or quietly scrolling through the countless pictures we have collectively taken. Those pictures, along with our blog posts (and those of Mr. Hammil from St. Mary’s), help to ensure that this incredible visit is documented in some lasting form. We sincerely hope that visitors to those pages, have enjoyed engaging with both.
The task of summarising our visit to KwaZulu Natal, South Africa as part of the Bambisanani partnership has proven to be a challenging one to say the least. Whilst we had always intended on approaching this project with an enthusiastic and proactive approach, I doubt that either of our us could have ever truly envisaged just how remarkable and enjoyable this visit would be. For the most part, we have the amazing staff and students from St. Mary’s to thank for that.
The excellent organisation skills and personable nature of Mrs. Chattoe (Cath), Ms. Jackson (Ellie), and Mr. Hammil (Tom), ensured that the visit was ran professionally, but also importantly, that it remained fun and sociable throughout. Even if the card games of an evening did get somewhat heated on occasion! As for the students; Tash; Katie; George; Tadgh; Pauline; Ewan; Phoebe; Niamh; Lorna; Rosie; Larissa; Ezra; Megan; and Laurence, it has been a pleasure to spend the last week or so with them, both collectively and as individuals. Undoubtedly they all have bright futures ahead of them, and whilst this experience has naturally helped them to develop their leadership and associated professional skills, it is easy to see how it will also continue to benefit them personally. The kind-heartedness and emotional intelligence that they have shown whilst in South Africa has, at times, been absolutely incredible.
It is for this very reason that we believe it is essential that Leeds Trinity University looks to build upon our work this year, by pursuing further opportunities for involvement as part of the Bambisanani Partnership. Any visit which allows for; genuine collaborative work alongside high school and primary school children from a different culture; a visit to an orphanage; star gazing; a safari trip to a game reserve; camp fires; and sporting activities, is bound to be of benefit to any individual higher education student who is fortunate enough to be given the opportunity. The fact that this work leaves a tangible and seemingly lasting impact within the KwaZulu Natal region, makes the visit all the more rewarding, and ensures that the work truly is mutually beneficial. We believe that there is a particular opportunity for a range of our students to be involved in a potential visit next year, and we look forward to discussing these possibilities further with colleagues from LTU, St. Mary’s, and University of Leeds, in the coming weeks.
As a closing note, St. Mary’s have asked us to individually share our own personal reflections on the visit as a whole within the next week or so, and we will look to add them to this blog when they are finished. Until then…
Happy travels,
Chris & Diane
Chris Rowley's blog 