It's a start...!

Well, I've done it. With Joe's help I've started my first ever blog! I hope to be able to tell you all about our trip to Zimbabwe and the school for handicapped children in Marondera. The school is called 'Kukuru Neshungu' which roughly translated means 'Striving to Improve'.

People have been amazingly supportive so far and have helped to raise money as well as being so encouraging. Funds raised to date are approximately £1,600 and this comes from a combination of donations, an open garden event, meals, collections at church, sales of home made jams, chutneys, cards and surplus produce from our allotment. We will use this money to buy equipment for the school.

The departure date is getting closer (11th January) so there's loads of things to do. I had the jabs for going away last week and my arm has only just stopped aching...! Flight is booked with Ethiopian airways and we change in Addis Ababa before moving on to Harare. Also got round to booking my travel insurance this afternoon so that's another this less to worry about, and some of the equipment I ordered to take with me (dycem roll, special scissors, pencil grips, Koosh balls) has arrived. Still lots to sort out at work before I leave, thankfully one of the volunteers will go in and keep an eye on things for me whilst I'm away (Thanks Val!).

It's amazing to think that in just a few weeks time I'll be in a completely different part of the world where it's hot and sunny when there's so much snow and ice on the ground here! Thanks for coming to visit our online blog, we'll try to keep it updated as much as possible over the next few weeks :)