Gilligan Family Volunteering at Baphumelele
11-20 March 2008
Father and son team, Phil and Nick, spent 10 days in
Cape Town to volunteer at Baphumelele Children’s Home.
After some initial exploration of Cape Town to overcome
the jetlag (including a hike up Table Mountain), they
got stuck into the maintenance work that was in store
for them. Their main project was cleaning, painting and
sorting two of the classrooms in the Baphumelele Creche.
Phil and Nick, together with Mike and Mzura, spent long
days hard at work but the end product was two transformed
classrooms that are more conducive to learning. In addition,
they ordered new carpets so the children can now sit
and sleep in comfort.
In between all the hard work, they had time to explore
the beauty of Cape Town. Some highlights were:
- Discovering some of the good South African wines
- Spending 2 nights with Mama Noks in Tambo Village
- Getting an education in how to eat meat in the townships
- Almost getting blown away at Cape Point, seeing the
African Penguins at Boulders Beach before getting stuck
in insane traffic on a Sunday evening!
- Going on safari and seeing the Big 5 (well, 4 of
the 5)
2 Way Travel loved having the Gilligans here and look
forward to their return trip next year!!
Botswana & Zambia March
2008
In the Easter mid-term break we took our record number
of international students on an overland trip to Botswana
and Zambia. This time we did things a bit differently
so as to keep the trip small while still being able to
cater for a large group of students – we took 2 groups
on 2 consecutive days! This new structure worked really
well and will definitely be used in the future.
Here are some of what students had to say about the
trip:
‘All I can say is that I had an amazing time on this
trip. I got to travel to so many different countries & experience
new cultures. I have never been camping before this trip.
I thought that I was going to be completely out of my
element but that was not the case at all. Victoria Falls
is the most amazing thing that I have ever seen in my
life!’
‘An awesome trip! I had so much fun, saw so many cool
things and met a ton of really cool people. Daytona Beach
has nothing on Botswana and Zambia!’
‘Trip of a lifetime, made my time in Africa worthwhile.
Leaders were extremely helpful and informational. 2 Way’s
goal was to make sure I had an amazing, positive and
life changing experience! Mike & Heather were extremely
helpful in the office and Kristi & Sam were heros
on the road!’
‘Mike was so incredibly helpful and accommodating in
the process of booking the trip. 2 Way went above and
beyond anything you could expect of a travel company.
On the trip, I always felt completely at ease in the
hands of my very capable leaders. All in all, the best
thing I could have done with my “spring” break.’
‘The trip really made me appreciate the country, the
land, and the people of Africa. I loved driving around,
looking out the window and soaking in the places we were
at. It was a great escape from the urban, Western feel
of Cape Town. Also, if you don’t love nature at the end
of this trip, you’re an idiot.’
‘This was the greatest trip I have ever taken. I have
rarely gotten closer to a group of people than I did
on this trip. Thank you for making the trip I have always
wanted to take to Victoria Falls the trip of a lifetime!!’
‘The experience in the Okavango Delta is moving on every
level – the beauty of the scenery and the people is spiritual
and healing.’
‘2 Way definitely put my vacation time to good use.
I have so many amazing memories from this trip and I
can’t wait to slow my friends and family pictures, again
and again and again!’
‘The people, the places, the food & fun – this trip
couldn’t get better. Best spring break / vacation so far!!!’
