This week has been the best week of my life!!!!!!!! On Monday 9th July (my birthday) our visitors arrived at the school I was very overwhelmed and I didn't know what to do and how to start a conversation. On Tuesday 10th July this day we all wanted to get to know the South Africans and wanted to make some friends. I was so excited to come into school that day and meet some new friendly faces in 4th period the South Africans came into our lessons and Ian told us about life in South Africa and then after school we went to the chippy and I made friends with Confidence and then we all played a massive game of SPLAT!!!!! On Wednesday 11th July in period 2 I went to the conference rooms and picked up some South Africans and took them to Mr Maunders 7H class and they taught the class it was really fun especially the part where we got to go outside and play games. On Thursday 12th July I didn't do anything with the South Africans but they made keyrings in DT and also went to food tech they really enjoyed it and also it was presentation evening and they did a massive performance. On the Friday 13th we went to the raj and they all really enjoyed the food just like me I sat on a table with ve ve and she didn't like the popadoms but liked everything else. On Saturday 14th July we went to Liverpool I sat next to Maria on the bus and went around with her, Imelda and Leylo we went to pizza express for lunch and spent the rest of the time in primark (they loved it there!!!) On Sunday 15th July we had a massive barbecue at the birchwood golf club and we all got our face painted it was so fun and the food was lovely. On Monday 16th July we went to Wales for a big walk it was really cold and rainy that day but I enjoyed it because I had all of my friends with me . On Tuesday 17th July it was the saddest day ever and I cried so much especially when they all left and also i got Andani, Maria, Imelda, Leylo and Confidence a little present each they loved it 💕💕❤️❤️ Lauren Jesse 8H
Tuesday 18th July, was one of the hardest days of my life. Saying goodbye after a week of happiness, challenges and laughter was one of the hardest things i have faced. The children from Matseliso school are so genuine and lovely. They have made me happy every single day without fail and knowing some of there situations back at home just inspires me. My friends from South Africa celebrate difference and embrace our individualities. As always with happiness comes sadness, and i experienced the sadness when saying my goodbyes. Its so hard to say goodbye to one of your closest friends knowing that they are still there yet not knowing if you are ever going to be able to see them again. One of my closest friends from the trip was a boy called Junior, he was 15 and one of the most sarcastic yet funny people you will ever meet. He didn't speak at all about home and he always wanted to be positive, from the day he came he told me that he never wanted to leave. If I was to be lucky enough to go to Soweto then I would feel so privileged and I would be ready to face any challenges that come my way. Junior made me feel amazing and important and he really raised my self esteem which if you would of told me that 2 weeks ago I would of said you were lying. Junior made me feel like his little sister and that i cant thank him enough for. Over all Soweto 2 Culcheth has been the most rewarding yet tiring experience ever. If this is the end of my Culcheth 2 Soweto journey than thank you for giving me this amazing opportunity and providing me with these once in a life time experiences. Thank you From Kitty
This week has been such a great week, probably one of the best weeks of my life. From the first day meeting everyone to the last day when saying goodbye it really has been a week to remember. When the South African students arrived i was nervous to meet the person I was hosting however when I met Koketso he was one of the nicest people I have ever met. We talked for a while then then we went home and we played football and had a good time. We had instantly become friends. We went to school the next day and it was amazing. Me and Koketso were constantly taking photos and I even had the privilege of having some Soweto students come into our lesson. It was the greatest lesson. On Wednesday we invited Callum and Allan to come round and watch the football. We lost! Even though we lost it was a good night and Koketso kept me going throughout the night. On Thursday I went into a lesson and we played games and asked questions to the South African students it was so interesting learning about how different life is here is compared to Soweto. Its shown me how many opportunities we have here in England and that we need to take them. On Friday we went to the raj. It was a great day and everyone enjoyed the Indian food. We went to Liverpool on Saturday, I think nearly everyone went to maccies. We watched some great entertainment from these people who were jumping over knives. I even got to buy the new Liverpool top! On Sunday it was good and bad day we went to a barbecue in Birchwood where we had great entertainment and food. However the bad part of the day was upon us we were going on a man city stadium tour! Koketso was so happy when he found out we were going and after he even said it was the best day of his life! Onto Monday when we were going hiking up a mountain it was a great day and even though it was raining all day. We are on Tuesday and this is going to be the worst day. It was so emotional at lunch with everyone crying. We said our last goodbyes and it was really emotional. By Tom Standish
The Tuesday that the Matseliso students had to leave, I felt genuine sadness. I cried for hours because I was losing my best friends. It was painful, and i couldn’t stop hugging everyone because I knew that it was potentially the last time I was going to ever see them in person. I was nervous to hug Nathi, when i saw him, because I don’t think i was ready to accept that i was losing him. When i finally hugged him, I just cried whilst he held onto me and I never wanted to let go. I will forever remember running up to Spha and hugging him. The hug was a confirmation that we were really best friends. He told me, “I’ll see you on the other side” and that really stuck with me because I knew he was going to miss me as much as i was going to miss him. Thendo wiped away my tears as I cried and gave me one of his amazing hugs, saying to me not to cry because it was all going to be okay. However, all of my tears were driven by happiness. I was so sad when they left because of the amazing memories I’ve made through this project. I have never laughed and smiled so much in my life and it is all thanks to the amazing students of Matseliso. Even though it was hard to say goodbye, I wouldn’t change my experience for the world, because it was genuinely the best thing to ever happen to me. Saying goodbye to the Matseliso students was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, I knew that eventually the South African students would have to go home, but, the week that they were here went so quickly. I can honestly say that each of the Matseliso students are inspirational to me in their own way. Their determination and indepence is truly inspiring and they have continued to improve me as a person over this last week. I can honestly say that on this visit I have met people who I will always remember and I have had the best week of my life. From shopping in Liverpool, to climbing up a rainy mountain in Snowdonia, all of the Matseliso students never failed to have a smile on their faces. I feel like smiles this week have been contagious, and that is due to the amazingly positive attitude of the Matseliso students. This week has been the best week i have had in ages. I never thought i would be going to Wales and Liverpool with people i had only met a week ago. I realise now just how lucky we are and that we shouldn't take life for granted. This week has been a learning experience i will never forget. I have been taught to accept and to just stay true to myself. Who knew one group of people could have such a massive impact on my life and everyone else's around me. This week has genuinely changed me as a person, I feel as if i will now appreciate my opportunities that i am given and all the little things i have in my life that i probably take for granted i really want to change my outlook on life and have an attitude like the South Africans do ,i would love to learn more about the South Africans life and culture and hope i can if i am selected for the second phase of this wonderful project .
Culcheth 2 Soweto has been such an amazing experience for me, and I would recommend it to anyone. This process is for everyone and you are applauded for your differences, it really allows you to understand who you really are and have fun and make friends along the way. I had been the most amazing week. This has been one of the best experiences in my life so far. This programme has given me the chance to make new friendships and memories I'll never forget. At first I honestly didn't think I would have come this far but being part of this opportunity showed me I could do anything if I just put my mind to it. During the July visit, I got to meet people who I never thought I would meet; they brought so much joy to the school during their visit. I loved learning about their culture and hearing the inspirational things they had to say. When they were here I especially enjoyed walking to the chippy as that's when I met Jessica and got to know things about her. I also enjoyed the trip to wales and the BBQ, even though the weather wasn't great. Last of all would love to say a big thank to all the teachers involved for making this happen. X Culcheth 2 Soweto is such an incredible experience , you will make the best memories the best friends and have the most fun you will ever have , you will be inspired and so so grateful for this opportunity and you will become a happier person and more positive too !! You will sing and dance most of the time (even if you can't sing or dance!) this experience has made me more confident and inspired to get out of my comfort zone I recommend everyone to take this experience and make the most of it because it goes so quick. Issy Dean
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October 2019
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