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OxleyinBotswana3

September - October 2018
This is an account of the activities of 24 Oxley Year 9 students and 3 support staff who are visiting Zimbabwe and Botswana to link up with Sedie & Mathiba Schools in Maun, as well as experiencing the geography, culture & wild life of the region Read more
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  • TravelerOxleyinBotswana3
    Day 18

    Final leg of the journey

    October 15, 2018 in England ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    It was a smooth overnight flight through to Perth with most sleeping.

    Going through Australian Customs in Perth those with woven items as gifts had them taken away from them. Arabella managed to set off the security with her knee brace but apart from that everyone is now looking forward to getting home and seeing family.

    They were a great group to take to Botswana and represented Oxley with pride. The relationship with the Maun schools has grown stronger and everybody has benefited from this.

    My thanks go to all the students and Tim Dibdin and Rani Ritchie for making this Botswana OSSO a success.    Read more

  • TravelerOxleyinBotswana3
    Day 17

    The return home

    October 14, 2018 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    It was a very quiet start to the morning as we were in no hurry to leave Sitatunga. Breakfast was 8.00, bags packed by 9.00 and tents cleaned soon after.

    We were in Maun by 10.30 and visited Peter Craig’s friends’ shop, opposite the airport entrance. Dr Tim Liversedge, and wife, June, have an upstairs video viewing room above their shop and we watched a biographical account of Tim Liversedge’s life. He has been internationally recognised as a naturalist and cinematographer and his contribution to the growth of tourism in the Okavango and Maun regions is enormous. The film was both fascinating and inspiring.

    We said goodbye to the Liversedges, and to Senatla and to Dany who came to the airport to wish us well.

    Our SA Link flight to Johannesburg was an hour and a quarter and we landed on a wet runway and a considerable drop in temperature. Through immigration and security we headed for the cafe we knew well and based ourselves there for a few hours, killing time until our flight to Perth.    Read more

  • TravelerOxleyinBotswana3
    Day 16

    Horses & game

    October 13, 2018 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    We split up today into two groups, with one riding in the early morning and the other in the late afternoon. This was to beat the heat of the predicted 37C (fortunately there was no humidity) so we managed quite easily.

    So, it was a 6.45 breakfast for all with the riders departing soon after on a truck while those remaining at Sitatunga went about their chores (some washing, repacking of suitcase, etc) before relaxing by the swimming pool or in the restaurant area.

    It was a lazy day in part, an opportunity to unwind after a busy school week. When the first group returned we all lunched together and then roles were reversed and the second group departed at 3.00.

    At the horse stables, managed by Welsh girl, Liz, half learned to groom a horse while the others rode out in search of game in the private reserve. During the day riders reported seeing giraffe, eland, zebra, springbok, ostriches and impala and often at quite a close range. After an hour, roles were reversed so that everyone rode and groomed .

    It was a memorable experience, well-coordinated by Dany Hancock of Rides on the Wildside who was enthusiastically with us all day.

    At dinner that night, back at Sitatunga, well-prepared and presented by Shah, we were joined by Sedie School Head, Senatla Mokobela, and Dany and Liz from our horseback experience. It was a most suitable grouping for our final dinner in Botswana.

    Everyone had enjoyed their ride (in most cases their first ever) and the experience of seeing wildlife close up on horseback was something special. The farewells to Dany and Liz were genuinely touching.    Read more

  • TravelerOxleyinBotswana3
    1
    Day 15

    Our last school day

    October 12, 2018 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    We had a slightly earlier start this morning so that we could be at Mathiba Memorial Primary School by 8.00. As usual, our 40 minutes ride on the back of a centrally-benched truck through sandy scrub, dry farmland and Maun’s urban spread, was accompanied by waves from children heading to school.

    We arrived at Mathiba with the school gathering for assembly and waited until it was over. Then we split up into our teaching groups, some going with Std 3s and others with Std 2. Since the morning started relatively cool most groups were soon out of their classrooms and playing games in the sandy surrounds. Much fun, laughter and shrieking.

    By 9.45 we were reluctant to leave Mathiba but we were required at the Sedie School Form 3 Presentation ceremony and so said our farewells. It was the final day of the school year for the Sedie Form 3s as they had completed their exams and next year will attend a senior secondary school somewhere else.

    The programme showed an 8.00 start but things started to happen from 10.15. Apart from handing out academic, leadership and sporting awards (Peter Craig & Tim Dibdin did the Bronze Awards - a certificate and dinner sets) there were several entertainment activities.

    A DJ kept music playing whenever nothing was happening. We had a student bible group choir, professional dancers (polka, hiphop and traditional), a guitar-playing singer, a guest speaker, Mrs Mokobela (the Head) and a past student.

    Nearly 5 hours after it started, Oxley were invited to sing to the large group still assembled. They rose to the occasion by adapting a song the polers had taught them in the Okavango, a repetitive song that started with ‘Beautiful Africa, I will never forget beautiful Africa’.

    We left Sedie with the ceremony still going, having felt that we had fulfilled our obligations. An hour in town gave everyone a chance to drink, eat and buy gifts to take home .

    Back at camp we either swam or played volleyball before dinner and returned to these activities afterwards. In our tents by 9.30 with all in good spirits.    Read more

  • TravelerOxleyinBotswana3
    Day 14

    Maun's educational institutions

    October 11, 2018 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Today started, after the usual breakfast and truck trip into town, with a visit to the Maun Senior Secondary School. Set on a large campus which included administration and classrooms but also boarding and staff houses, we learned that the school was run by a Protestant church and was government assisted. Students from Sedie Junior Secondary School could advance to this school .

    After an introduction by a Housemaster, we walked slowly around the premises, and the library/computer room in particular.

    Unfortunately, towards the end of our tour, Arrabella slipped and her knee dislocated. After consultation with their staff, an ambulance was called and eventually Arabella was treated by paramedics and later seen by a doctor. She, Mr Dibdin and her friends rejoined the group after lunch.

    The rest of us were bused north of Maun to the University of Botswana Okavango Research Institute, along with an equal number of Sedie students. We were told how the Institute operated (post-graduate studies or scientific researches) and we were shown the library and the herbarium.

    From the Okavango Research Institute we all returned to Sedie School where we had our packed lunch (in the Heads of Department staff room).

    After lunch, we walked along the road to nearby Mathiba Primary School where we were enthusiastically mobbed by the Std 2s who had finished school for the day. Once we were able to extract ourselves from them, we were allocated two Year 3 classes to teach. Breaking the classes into smaller groups we taught in pairs and had great fun for the next hour. Nobody wanted to stop when school ended for the day at 3.30 - but we have been invited back for another session tomorrow morning.

    As with our earlier arrival, our departure was somewhat chaotic with hundreds of primary students enthusiastically surrounding us. Eventually we got on to our truck and we left the school pursued by excited ‘Mathibans’ running after us.

    We stopped in the mall in town to stock up with drinks and snacks before heading back to camp at Sitatunga.

    Within a relatively short time, we were all aboard a couple of jeeps which transferred us to the local football field and netball court adjacent to the highway. As news spread that we were there, villagers emerged from all directions and before long the boys were involved in a football match refereed by Tim Dibdin and the girls took on the locals at netball. Everybody had a lot of fun!

    A beautiful sunset brought the games to an end and we returned hot and dusty, but satisfied , to camp for dinner. Waiting for us there was Dany Hancock (of Rides on the Wildside, our Saturday’s horse game ride) who had just popped in to say hello.

    After dinner we did some preparation for our last day at school tomorrow and were all in bed at an early hour - totally exhausted!    Read more

  • TravelerOxleyinBotswana3
    Day 13

    Mathiba Primary, the clinic & the old br

    October 10, 2018 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Breakfast was at 7.00 in the camp restaurant and we were ready to depart at 7.30 for our first day of teaching primary students. 40 minutes into Maun and we entered the school gates to find all 1100+ students waiting for us.

    The Mathiba Memorial Primary School Principal, Noah, and his Deputy, Patricia, greeted us and the students sang several songs of welcome. From the outside Assembly, we all moved into the staff room, for further introductions. We were told how much Mathiba appreciated the link with Oxley and the funds that have been raised for their projects.

    Noah took us on a tour of the school including their computer facility and the kitchens that fed the 1000+ students at lunchtime.

    When we arrived at the Std 2 (our Year 2) classrooms we were allocated groups of about 4 students to teach. Much beneficial activity took place in the next hour as the Oxley students provided something different and interesting. It was a great success.

    By 12.00 we managed to extract ourselves from the excited Std 2s and we walked across the road to the local clinic. Although it provided support for any medical needs, the main emphasis in the talks given by the medical staff was HIV/AIDS. Three different staff talked to us and there were plenty of Oxley questions. Several Oxley students added information to their research projects.

    From the clinic we walked along the road the 800 metres to Sedie Junior Secondary School where we relaxed in the shade until the change of class bell occurred. Allocated a ‘buddy’ everybody went off to two classes before a late lunch: which was held in the smaller staff room, with food provided by Sitatunga.

    (News came through at lunchtime that the Ritchies had arrived back in Oz and had been able to visit Mum/Grandma)

    After lunch we climbed aboard our truck and followed by two minivans carrying Sedie students, we drove out to the Old Bridge over the Thamalakane River, north of Maun. The idea here, in this picturesque setting, was to walk slowly across the rickety bridge with your buddy, getting to know each other. After a while, everyone returned, collected a rubbish bag and gloves, and wandered along the river bank in pairs improving the environment by picking up rubbish.

    About 5.00 the mission had been accomplished and we said goodbye to new friends and headed back to Sitatunga. The locals challenged us to a game of football before dinner. The Oxley girls provided a cheer squad and the boys were allowed to win. Challenges have been issued for a return match tomorrow evening, with the girls playing netball.

    Pizzas for dinner tonight (a great effort by camp cook Shah) and we were joined by Sedie School Head, Senatla Mokobela who came out to say hello.

    It had been a good - but busy - day    Read more

  • TravelerOxleyinBotswana3
    Day 12

    School & Community introductions

    October 9, 2018 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We woke up to bad news this morning. Rani Ritchie had received a message that her mother had been hospitalised and transferred to intensive care: and the decision was made that she and Luca would return to Australia on the first available flight.

    We all breakfasted in a very somber mood. The group travelled into Maun on a benched truck (which went to Sedie School) and a jeep which went looking for a travel agency in town to book the Ritchie flights.

    Once the flights were settled we all met at Sedie and were introduced to their Sedie ‘buddies’ in an introductory meeting in the computer room. There was an M/C, and speeches by the school head, deputy head, and a primary school representative. We were made to feel most welcome.

    Afterwards the student groups intermingled before we all left the school, Oxley students going to the town museum and the Ritchies to the airport. It was a sad farewell and we all wished them a speedy trip and a successful outcome.

    An interesting tour of the museum was followed by a picnic lunch in the museum grounds.

    From the museum our truck took us to the Maun tkotla (tribal meeting place) where we were the guests of honour at a formal ceremony acknowledging how important our link to the schools is regarded locally. The paramount chief’s representative was there, as was the Sedie chief, the school head and other dignitaries. Much of the welcome was spoken in Tswana but it was interpreted for us.

    At the end of a long afternoon we were taken to the local mall where we all shopped for drinks and snacks. From there it was back to our camp at Sitatunga and a swim or volleyball before dinner.

    There were bush babies in the nearby trees. After dinner we rehearsed our lessons for our first day at Mathiba Primary School tomorrow.

    It had been a emotionally taxing day - both at farewells and at very formal occasions - and the Oxley group came through it most impressively.    Read more

  • TravelerOxleyinBotswana3
    Day 11

    The return to Sitatunga

    October 8, 2018 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    It was a more leisurely start to the day this morning as most enjoyed the sleep-in to 6.30 . Tents came down before breakfast and backpacks filled.

    The camp was left clean as our 17 mokoros made their way through the reeds. There was plenty of light-hearted conversation between polers and passengers as each had become friends. By 9.30 we were back at Boro, the waterside village from which we had set out 3 days earlier.

    All our gear was loaded on to two Delta Rain trucks (our supplier) and we drove slowly back, through Maun, to Sitatunga Camp. We had to reconfigure the tents but eventually all was settled and we moved in.

    Before lunch we said our farewells to Laban and Munya. They had looked after us well but their role in our itinerary was over: and shortly afterwards they departed on their return trip to Victoria Falls.

    After lunch we swam and then came back together for a mid-afternoon talk/presentation, given to us, most generously by Drs Leanne van der Weyde and Jess Isden of Wildcru. Leanne talked about cheetah conservation in Botswana and showed us slides as she talked. Jess discussed how her organisation was trying to change the perceptions of farming communities to predators living nearby. Both talks were most illuminating.

    After the talks the volleyball court and swimming pool again became popular.

    At dinner, in the camp restaurant, we were joined by Mrs Senatla Mokobela, the Head of Sedie School. She was welcomed by all.    Read more

  • TravelerOxleyinBotswana3
    Day 10

    A game-viewing walk & a mokoro sunset

    October 7, 2018 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    A really sleepy group slowly emerged from 5.30 in preparation for this morning’s walk. Morning tea/coffee and rusks to start the day. Everybody carried plenty of water.

    We walked in groups of 7 or 8 with a guide I in front and an associate at the rear. Within a few minutes we had seen a group of 4 giraffes and then, in the course of the walk, hippo (in pools) lechwe, impala, reedbuck, zebra, warthog, wildebeest and baboons.

    After 2 hours of walking we had a break before making our way back to camp. The island we walked on was generally flat grasslands with occasional termite mounds. There were occasional palms, sausage trees, and mapani and then reeds and grass around the pools from which the early summer heat was causing the waters to recede.

    In all, our walk lasted 4 hours and the brunch we returned to was most welcome. Munya had done a great job. After that we retreated to the shade to relax, to doze, read, or play cards with the polers.

    Late afternoon a few were taken by the polers to a pool where they could take a refreshing, and cleansing, swim.

    Just before sunset we all travelled in our mokoros to a large pool and we sat on the reed periphery watching a pod of hippos cavorting and kingfishers dive-fishing as the sun went down. It was a beautiful scene. After the golden globe dropped below the horizon the colours in the sky reddened.

    After dinner around the campfire, a space was cleared, the fire stoked up and we were treated to some local singing and dancing. It was great fun with some of us joining in; particularly the frog dance.

    In return, Oxley managed several group songs including a interesting rendition of the school song and the national anthem.

    It had been a very hot day but everyone coped.    Read more

  • TravelerOxleyinBotswana3
    Day 9

    Mokoros & the Okavango delta

    October 6, 2018 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Probably the best night of our trip - cool but not cold - and everybody slept well. By 6.00 the camp was astir and packing items into their backpack for our mokoro safari into the delta. Tents and mattresses came with us while our suitcases remained in the truck with Laban at Sitatunga.

    We loaded up 2 vehicles (a truck carrying 16 of us plus camping gear, and a Jeep plus trailer brought the rest). The trip to the nearest point of the Okavango delta at Boro took us through Maun and northwards before turning westward along a twisting dirt road. The whole journey took us 1.5 hours.

    At Boro we loaded up 17 mokoros with passengers, camping gear, and food, and were poled for 2 hours through narrow channels in the reeds to the island on which we camped. On the way we saw Maribou storks, water lilies and a pod of hippos in a lagoon.

    We settled in by putting up our tents and then it was time for lunch. It was an extremely hot afternoon and we relaxed in the shade, reading, playing cards or games, swimming or napping.

    As the afternoon cooled, we broke up into 4 groups and with a guide walked into the interior of the island looking at local fauna and flora. In the course of our 1.5 hour walk we saw a herd of elephants reasonably close and buffalo, wildebeest and zebra in the distance. On our return, walking into the dying sun, a reedbuck went passed us.

    Back for dinner around the campfire. Munya had done another great job. After dinner we sat around talking before heading for bed.    Read more

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