kodumela visit to cholsey 2017
WELCOMING KODUMELA TO CHOLSEY
Write-up by Lara Guppy
On 8th October 2017, after many months of planning, fundraising and organising, 18 friends arrived from South Africa to learn how to improve teaching in their communities.
As usual the village pulled together to host the visitors, opening their homes and lives to ensure the visitors felt at home, comfortable and part of the family.
When the visitors arrived, everyone gathered at the Day Centre for some food, after which we were treated to our guests singing, we soon found out this would be a continual and welcomed theme throughout the week.
On the Sunday the visitors attended church and in the evening a special supper was held for all involved. We found that many of our guests were partial to a Pimms (or two).
The visitors even made the local BBC new, and Val Bolt and Bev Butler explained all about the project.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/fARxuDh16Yvr6rKV/?mibextid=KsPBc6
The teachers spent time at different school in the local area, including Cholsey Primary School, Willowcroft Community Primary School, St John’s Primary Schoo, Crowmarsh Primary School and the Treehouse School.
They were given a master class in behaviour by Chrissie Spring (Behaviour Specialist and generally wonderful person). They brought Chrissie to tears with their singing to her.
The evenings were spent having dinner with different hosts and getting to know people in the village. The visitors were also treated to an evening with the Cholsey School swing band!
For their final evening the visitors were treated to Tiago’s Fish and Chips and of course they thanked everyone by singing!
Before heading back to Heathrow, the visitors were taken on a scenic tour of London, including a visit to Hyde Park and a trip to a ‘typical’ London souvenir shop!
Following the trips we had regular updates from the teachers, which can be viewed on the Kodumela Schools Link Facebook page.
Like to get involved?
We are always in need of volunteers to help at our events.
- Great way to meet with locals in the area
- Dozens of ways to volunteer
- From as little as an hour a year