'Mister, mister, borrow me your ipod?'

If somebody gave me 1 pula every time one of the boys asked me this then I still wouldn't be a very rich man...I'd be getting close though.

It's already been a month! Soooooo much has happened and I still haven't written a blog post yet so brace yourselves, they're gonna come thick and fast. (hopefully)

We're currently in Maun eating unbelievably nice food and using internet that works (WOOO!) on our long weekend break, its amazing! (every month staff are entitled to a long weekend off and most come to Maun - it's only 6 hours away on a good day). Also, Peter (Bana ba metsi director) is letting us stay in his place for free which is a massive help.

  Speak soon!

GET READY FOR DA COUNTDOWN

It's getting closer...

I'm sure it'll be an interesting day 2 weeks from now... It's also starting to become VERY real. Clothes have been bought, equipment ordered (just about) and more importantly it was my final 'The Sportsman' pub quiz last night (hence the title) and guess what? -we didn't win.

The plan for the next 14 days then. Help Helen celebrate her graduation tonight, recovery on Saturday. On Sunday afternoon the Europe trips begins, only 8 days for me however, to end on Monday the 29th giving me 3 days to pack and try not to think about what important thing I've no doubt forgotten about. Then when Friday the second arrives it means there'll be a drive down to London with a final stop at the Aunties to consume an unbelievably good last supper....oh... and to say some goodbyes. Boom

Speak soon.

Matthew 

BOTSWANA TIME!

Ok this may take some explaining...(apologies Guyana fans)

If you're in a rush this post summarised in 4 words is - I'M GOING TO BOTSWANA!

So basically when I was on selection back in September I had to choose the countries I'd consider volunteering in and then Project Trust would match up volunteer to project. However some countries only have very few volunteers so PT only select these at the end of all selection courses (about March time). There's only two of us going to the project in Botswana so when I chose it on selection I knew I'd be pooled and told whether I was successful many months later....

NOW is that time and earlier in the week a phone call from Ingrid (desk officer for Botswana and CEO of Project Trust!) confirmed I'll be going to Botswana. Wow. The project looks amazing and I cannot wait! - More info to come.

Hawkshead 17km 27/04/13

Sponsored 17km compleeeeete! Finished in 1h27m - it was unbelievably knackering!(photos below)

Thank you very much to everyone who sponsored and supported me, my original target has been smashed leaving me on the home straight to complete fundraising! 

A welcome site to see after the hardest run I've ever done. Thanks everyone!

1km to go and the mud appears.

This may mislead you to think I'm smiling....It's definitely a grimace.

Amazing Responses!

Along with a fair few rejections from trusts I've been unbelievably successful and can't thank these charitable trusts enough for all their donations. I'm well over halfway of my target with the website 'easyfundraising' still making a substantial contribution and there's a sponsored run in the planning.

Also, EXAMS ARE OVER! for now at least...

Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

Letters and leaflets are sent. 64 envelopes addressed to charitable trusts to be precise.

A weekend of staring at a computer screen getting unbelievably frustrated at Microsoft word has successfully ended with an overflowing local postbox. Things ran smoothly in the university library making the leaflets and the final letters were being printed when DISASTER STRIKES! Dad spots a blunder on the first line....NOOOOO! Luckily it was easily changed and we were soon enveloping them up ready for dispatch.

Fingers crossed my total left to raise will soon be falling down with contributions from trusts!  

Hard Graft Ahead

There was fantastic news a few weeks ago when a letter arrived saying that I've been selected for Guyana and had been pooled for Botswana. Both are educational projects where I'll most likely be teaching maths and science in the local school - more details to come. I'm already excited but there's still a long road ahead...

Before I go I've got to raise £5400 to cover the costs of getting out there, insurance and many other essential things. There was numerous talks about fundraising during selection so the figure isn't too overwhelming although there's a lot to be done. Donations from charitable trusts apparently take a chunk out of the total so the plan for the next few weeks is to send as many letters and leaflets as possible to various trusts asking for sponsorship. January exams are also looming so eyes down looking...