Imake a Difference's Supporters Trip to South Africa 2014 - Day 4

DAY FOUR:

Today was a very eye opening experience, we went to Mthwazi Combined School to judge the Rhino Art Competition, watch the students perform a Zulu dance and be entertained by a very talented band singing songs in Zulu. The Rhino Art competition involves all the students in the school receiving a piece of paper with a rhino outline on it which they can colour in and draw whatever they like to illustrate the problem with the rhino. They also need to write a message to explain their knowledge of the issue. This project aims to reduce the number of rhino being poached by teaching the students that rhino poaching is a huge problem and that they need to help to stop this issue. This has so far been a successful project. All the kids at this school were very knowledgeable and supportive of helping to do what they can to save the rhino.

This was a great experience, we chose the best art from each grade each receiving a certificate and the person who won it overall won a bike donated by Rotary South Africa. He was one happy boy! A bike is an unusual thing for these kids, but it is a great thing as these kids have to walk to school. Some times for miles.

We then were able to mingle with the students; they were all very lovely people, especially the young students, very cute wee souls. They love looking at photos, they have no concept of personal space they climb all over you trying to all look at the photos at once.

Afterwards we returned to camp and had a relaxing afternoon spent in the sun and enjoying a few alcoholic beverages.