Friday 24 October 2014

Friday- final day at the Catch Up, by Mollie and Chelsea


So the day we have all been dreading has arrived, the last day at the school where we know we will all have to say goodbye to our students. But before then we once again get awaken by the loud, dolsic tones of Bex and the 'smiles' of everyone as they trundle into the dining room in their pjs.We had toast and porridge for breakfast before venturing to the bus for our last day at the catch-up centre. Being greeted by the children this morning with smiles on their faces and hugs as we walked off the bus made us realise the strong bonds we had created with these children and how much we have impacted on them in such a short space of time.

As we unpack our resources this morning into our classrooms; gorrila, leapards, elephants and lions we hear the children singing out with pride their morning song.

The 'lessons' began with Team Elephant painting a mural of jungle animals and didnt end up looking too good as the children much preferred to draw their own thing. They then went onto playing playdough, the smiles and enjoyment on the childrens' faces were incrediable, whilst doing this Lamara and Megan tried their best to save the painting.

Whilst Team Lions started the day with a story time sesson of the book called 'i want to be a pirate' The children were really engaged and seemed to really enjoy the story. We shortly moved onto painting which the children really enjoyed. At the same time the children were one at a time getting their faces painted leaving our class looking like animals from the jungle.

After break each team gave their students a plain white t-shirt for them to decorate in any which way. They were so proud of their tops and modeled them for the rest of the day.

After lunch we went back to team games and activities. Just as we started the rain came down, oh yeah typical. This didnt stop us showing off the cha cha slide to the community event.

PS: We were awful and the African dancing definetly put us to shame.

It was now time to go after a long, exciting and eventful 5 days with the children. Goodbyes were difficult and emotions were running high throughout. As we all got onto the bus the children were coming up to the window and would hold our hands. Holding back the tears didnt really work as most of the team and some of the children were crying.

Looking forward to a nice evening with the staff from catch-up school and the translators over a yummy buffet styled dinner.


Lots of love see you all in 3 days from Chelsea and Mollie and the rest of the team xxx











































33 comments:

Unknown said...

I cannot express how proud I am to see all of you out there in Rwanda. Proud to be a member of the Oak community and so proud to be a Dad - Cerys you are everything we hoped and so much more.
Very well done to you all, the pictures are amazing and have been hitting Facebook and Twitter. You are all such great ambassadors.
Enjoy the final hours and safe journey.
Love to all xxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Lamara and all the cred team, looks like you have had a roller coaster of feelings kinda day but you have put such a big smile on thoses childrens faces and this will never be forgotten!
The pictures are amazing and reasuring, you look like your having so much fun.
Hope you have a lovely evening and a great day tomorrow, dont forget clocks go back sunday :) love of love mum x

Unknown said...

P.s loves and missing you millions lamara
From mumnxxxx

Anonymous said...

Hello Chelsea me again hahaa I hope you saw the message I posted yesterday (when it eventually posted). I knew id write one and then you'd be writing on the blog the next day (typical) I wanna say that I love the photos of everyone jumping in the air!!! They're soo cool and everyone looked like they have so much fun, including the children on your last day!!! Yeah that is all.. oh yeah.. see you in 3 daysssss hunnyyyyy yayayayyy! Miss you, love you, shall be seeing you! (I wrote a more emotional post yesterday, this is just a quick one) Jodieee! Xxx

Unknown said...

Wow what a busy day!! So glad you enjoyed yourselves. The smiles on all your faces say it all. Katie I'm so proud of you. Lovely pictures of you all jumping in the air. Me & twins walked home from school today with their umbrellas & welly boots. Took us 40 minutes haha. Thankfully it's half term now so we get a week off from walking. Can't wait until Monday. Even though I'm going to be at work when you get back. Someone will be there to meet you. Hope you have another amazing 2 days before you all head home, so for now, take care. I've got to get ready for work in a bit. Love you so much & really can't wait til Monday. Missing you more than you could imagine. Love mum, Andy, Jake, toby & Jamie xxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Charlie, I'm missing you so much it's unreal. Seeing the picture with you and one of the kids made me miss you so much more than I allready do. I'm so proud of you for what you've done for these kids and I'm going to give you the biggest hug when I see you on Monday. Have a really good night at the Buffett tonight, hopefully there will be wifi so you can message me! Cannot wait till Monday. I'm one very proud boyfriend and I can't wait to have you back home.

If you do get wifi I may not be able to reply as my phones playing up again. But I guess it's your turn to leave me a message anyway haha. I love you xxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Joey, looks like you've all had a good day again but very emotional. I expect you had quite a few tears. You are all amazing. I would imagine you have all made such an impact on the children's lives. Inspirational. Just getting ready to go down to the pier to light the candle for grandad. I will get pictures for you. I'm back to work tomorrow had 4 days off don't want to go. Your soon be home now love you xxxxxx

Sharon Maidment said...

Hola Poppet! Well done my dear, hope you are ok (although I'm gonna guess that there might have been "a few" tears!), what an amazing thing you've all been doing & big thanks to the bloggers for keeping everyone up to date. I have to tell you that Granny tried to leave you a message but got confuddled by technology so - Granny & Grunky send their love & hope you are keeping well :) Looking forward to seeing you soon, enjoy your last full day there & safe journey home xx

Unknown said...

What a wonderful day you have all had and although it's sad your leaving you will have left a lasting impression on these beautiful children I'm so proud of you Charlie enjoy your last day and your buffet tonight can't wait to see you and give you a big hug missing you massively lots of love mum x x x x x x x

Unknown said...

Hi Amy wow what a lovely time u all had today bet it was hard leaving those gorgeous children u have all done an amazing thing and obviously had a huge impact on the children and them on all of you so very very proud of all of you well done u are all amazing young people xxxx can't wait to see you Monday babygirl all our love mum and martin xxxxx

Charlotte baker said...

Hi charlie , what a great final day you seemed to have bet you where sad to say goodbye :( Just remember what happiness you have brought to them all and all of the things they have learnt from you that will last a lifetime ! Well done darling and just remember they will never forget you and you will never forget them , have a safe journey home hun looking forward to seeing you :) lots of love auntie charlie xxx
Ps have so enjoyed reading the blog everyday really made you feel part of your adventure , well done to everyone by the way you have all been amazing xxx

Courtney said...

Hi Amber
I can't imagine how your feeling now you've said goodbye so just remember all the wonderful memories, and smiles you and the team have created for the children and everyone else you've met and helped during the week. I'm sure they'll be cherishing the happiness you've all given them for a long time to come.
We'll be counting down the hours soon to when you get back, so be prepared for being swept off your feet and getting the biggest hugs ever !! (However smelly u might be!!)
We've been enjoying all the food you don't like this week, today we had a ready cooked chicken, I told the lady serving me my daughter might not be so fussy about food when she comes back from Africa, the lady serving me said, oh the lady over there her son is in Africa, the lady was Alex's mum!! (What a coincidence) so we had a good chinwag about your adventure, and how we can wait to have u back.
Everyone's asking how your doing, Gramps has been following the blogs and can't wait to see you.
Enjoy the rest of your time in Rwanda, take care, stay safe see u soooon xx all our love Mum & Dad
Xxxxxxxxx

WELL DONE EVERYONE TOGETHER YOU MADE IT HAPPEN !!!!!!!!

Courtney said...

I'm sure you realise it should say can't wait !!! Xx

Unknown said...

Bubba, so happy you're on way back to me, but sorry your adventure is almost over. The pictures today were fab. It must have been hard leaving those kids but what incredible memories you and the rest of your group will have forever.
Text me when you get back to uk so I can be at Oak to meet you.
You're delicious, delightful, deloveley............ my boy.
Love you+++++++++++++++++ Momxxxxxxxxx

keep calm and tap dance said...

Looking forward to seeing you soon Sophie, driving up to Swindon now & not back till Sunday so might not be able to send another message... Sounds like you've all had the most amazing week & your team have definitely been an inspiration to all the families at home as well as the children you have been teaching over there. It must be hard to leave, but hopefully this has shown you all possibilities for making a real difference in this world - So proud of you darling, enjoy your time left in Africa & safe journey home. Love always, Mumma Wathen xxx

Unknown said...

Hey Lamara its dad. Its been so nice to see you putting a smile on all those poor childrens faces you & the team have really made a difference & we are so proud of you hun.Luv u millions Lami xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Think Nandos for when u come home chick lol

Unknown said...

Well Miss Maw I seem to have posted in yesterday's by mistake! But anyway, such brilliant, emotional photos of you all. Look forward to seeing many, many more when you're home:) Face painting was a hit with the children, their beaming smiles say it all, very artistic Katie x Enjoy your evening x

David Ross said...

Hello darling

Have been thinking of you all today. I expect it has been quite an emotional day, to leave the those lovely looking and smiling children behind. The memories you all have. and the memories you have given them will be you and them forever. Just remember all of you in the team how much you have touched their little lives and given them hope. We spoke to an old colleague of daddy's today and asked him if he could find out when your photo will be in the echo will let you know as soon as we have heard. The girls are doing fine. Re your question you text me, you had 28 sponsors plus three as I know donated items for you to take'
Good night darling
Keep safe
Love you more
Mummy and daddyxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Aliesha. Looks like you have had an incredible experience and touched the lives of the children you have worked with. The photos are amazing and really capture the great work everyone has done. I can't wait to catch up next weekend and hear all about it. Have a safe journey home. Love Auntie Anne-Marie. Xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Cerys. I can't believe that your journey is almost over. I can't begin to think how emotional it might of been for you and all your friends today. I can see from your face in the photos, what a wonderful time you and everyone has had. Thankyou to whoever has been taking the photos, they are a wonderful portrait of the work that you have been doing. Enjoy and cherish the last days you have left in Kigali. can't wait to have you home. Be prepared for BIG hugs. Trying to think about what your favourite food would for Monday!! Miss you so much. Mum, dad, Rhi and Rock xxxxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Cerys. I can't believe that your journey is almost over. I can't begin to think how emotional it might of been for you and all your friends today. I can see from your face in the photos, what a wonderful time you and everyone has had. Thankyou to whoever has been taking the photos, they are a wonderful portrait of the work that you have been doing. Enjoy and cherish the last days you have left in Kigali. can't wait to have you home. Be prepared for BIG hugs. Trying to think about what your favourite food would for Monday!! Miss you so much. Mum, dad, Rhi and Rock xxxxxxxxxx

Amanda Carey said...

hi megan moo

cant believe today was your last day with them gorgeous children. I hate to think how hard it was for you to say goodbye, I'm sat with tears in my eyes just thinking about it. You all looked like u had amazing day.love the photo of you jumping in the air, u had a big smile on your face anyway. I know this sounds really selfish of me but I will be so glad when ur home megan, u never believe how much we have missed you. Ur all doing amazing job, I'm sure they have appreciated every single minute of it. Enjoy the last of you adventure hunnie. I've showed every body thats come in the shop the blog. love
you lots mum, dad, Danielle, asia, ryan xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Aliesha.
What an absolute cracking job you and the team have done and achieved, over such a small space of time the joy and laughter that you brought shows in the photo,s of the children, I feel sure that friends and relatives are so proud of everybody.
Have a safe journey home and see you soon.
PS, The car is still in one piece..lol.

Take care
Ahma and Gramps.xx

Unknown said...

hi ya amy, loving all the pics, all look so happy, you have made all those children happy and have given them such a treat this week, im sure it was sad saying goodbye and something you will never ever forget, well its finally saturday tomorrow and no work for me which means no 14 flights of stairs lol, hope it made you giggle yesterday, miss you, love and hugs Rach and Dad xxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Carl,

It was so nice to get to talk to you earlier, even if it was only for 5 minutes! Obviously I cried ha. Well done to you all on making such a big difference in such a short space of time, it's absolutely amazing and an experience I'm sure you or the kids won't ever forget!
I've been at the pub with the usual lot scoffing chocolate fudge cake (wild Friday night for you there...!)

Can't wait to see you when you get back,
Love you lots, Chelsea xxxxxxx

Unknown said...

hi amy so last day with the children bet it was a bit emotional for u all great pics of u all so very proud of u all cant wait to cu monday all our luv dad and rachel xxxx

Unknown said...

Hi portia, u and the team have done amazing this week bet it was emotional saying bye to alll those wonderful children, just remember what impact in there lives u will have made. Cant wait to hear all about it. Have a safe trip home and see you soon xlove sally and sasha xx

Unknown said...

Hi David Lem. Well as they say the fat lady has got her harp out and is about to start playing. I've really missed you but I only have to look at the pictures over the week to realise that this was an adventure of a life time. You have all brought so much happiness to everyone you've come into contact with. You should be very proud. I know I am.
See you soon. It must be rum o'clock. My round!

Unknown said...

Hi Aliesha looks like an amazing end to a fabulous week with a lot of special people.

Love you lots M and D xx

Unknown said...

Amazing pictures of what has been a truly amazing week for you all. Well done to the students, staff and the Cred Foundation for making this an experience of a life time. I am sure you have all learnt something along your emotional journey in Rwanda with its highs and lows but will return with fresh eyes of the lives you live here.

Stay safe.
Love Mum Dad and Damien xxxx

Courtney said...

Hey Amber,
I'm so proud of you!<3
I'm so so so excited to see you!
Hope you're having a lovely time and I can't wait to have a catchup with you and I need to tell you my exciting news!!
Love you loads,
Courts xxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Okay, I just typed a paragraph of love and deleted it by accident. Why me?! Anyway, looking at the blog makes me miss Africa loads, looks like your having an amazing time! Everything your doing is so worthwhile!!! Would rather be helping where you are, than helping old people eat carvery at work tonight!!! Would say the times gone really slow since youve been gone (maddy and laila), buuut its gone so quick haha! So bet it has even more for you! Also hope Laila and issy arent burning too much!! And maddi proud of you for that goggle wearing lover!! Well done again all of you, see you soooooon xxx

Lucy Hurst said...

that wierd comment was Lucy!