Wednesday 5 August 2009
Thursday 9 July 2009
The Need for the Project
Hi All,
Here's a video we've made giving you an idea of the need for projects like this to exist. Thank you for your continued support and for helping to make a difference.
Here's a video we've made giving you an idea of the need for projects like this to exist. Thank you for your continued support and for helping to make a difference.
Wednesday 8 July 2009
Back to work and battle of the titans
Hey PZ followers,
After an incredible weekend in Livingstone the team were back at our project sites around Lusaka on Tuesday morning. It was an especially important week for Tom and I as the match between our football teams was drawing ever closer!
The eagerly anticipated contest finally took place on bank holiday Monday as my boys from the mighty Wembley Delta travelled to the home of Socehaz FC NRDC community ground in Mutendere. The game definitely lived up to the hype as both teams were keen to show off their footballing ability in front of the gathering crowd. Tom’s side settled first and had the better of the play as both sides grappled for superiority in the opening minutes. However, it wasn’t long before Wembley got to grip with the pace of the game and started stroking the ball around in a manner that has been rumoured to have inspired the likes of Pele and Maradonna to the beautiful game. Their dominance soon got it’s just deserts as Chilufiya latched on to a wonderful through ball from Raul “Loreno” Bravo to stroke the ball home for the opening goal.
This dominance lasted for much of the first half but, as one would expect from a team coached by someone whose so headstrong he’s been known to walk around the cold streets of St Andrews in nothing more than a pair of Speedo’s, Socehaz came storming back. And, their usual style which itself has been rumoured to have inspired the likes of Vinnie Jones and Robbie Savage to the ‘beautiful’ game led to the ball being bundled over the line in the dying moments of the first half.
The second half panned out in a remarkably similar way as the first however, Wembley struggled to convert their chances and as the game went on Socehaz grew and started to look the more likely to come away with a win. As extra time beckoned the younger members of the Wembley Delta side began to struggle and a lapse in concentration led to a forward galloping midfielder from the Socehaz being left unmarked and driving the ball home from some 25 yards. There was pandemonium in the crowd and on the pitch and with Wembley desperately charging forward to get a late equalizer Socehaz wrapped up the victory with a flowing counter attacking move.
Obviously, I was devastated by the loss but it was an incredible game and the boys thrived playing in a more intense environment from their usual games. I only wish that I’d gone for the Chelsea style of play like Tom as, even in Zambia, Arsene Wenger’s beautiful football doesn’t produce the necessary results!
Anyhoo, Matt, Harriet, Sheila and I have packed our bags as we leave on Wednesday for ten days in the rural village of Chongwe living off insects and relieving ourselves in a hole in the ground...the other four will face a similar fate when they head off to Liteta on Thursday! I know it’s going to be hard to live without any updates on this little blog but stay tuned as Ailsa has been sent home with two videos that should give you more of an idea of what we’ve been up to out here!
Love to all,
Kyle and PZ x
After an incredible weekend in Livingstone the team were back at our project sites around Lusaka on Tuesday morning. It was an especially important week for Tom and I as the match between our football teams was drawing ever closer!
The eagerly anticipated contest finally took place on bank holiday Monday as my boys from the mighty Wembley Delta travelled to the home of Socehaz FC NRDC community ground in Mutendere. The game definitely lived up to the hype as both teams were keen to show off their footballing ability in front of the gathering crowd. Tom’s side settled first and had the better of the play as both sides grappled for superiority in the opening minutes. However, it wasn’t long before Wembley got to grip with the pace of the game and started stroking the ball around in a manner that has been rumoured to have inspired the likes of Pele and Maradonna to the beautiful game. Their dominance soon got it’s just deserts as Chilufiya latched on to a wonderful through ball from Raul “Loreno” Bravo to stroke the ball home for the opening goal.
This dominance lasted for much of the first half but, as one would expect from a team coached by someone whose so headstrong he’s been known to walk around the cold streets of St Andrews in nothing more than a pair of Speedo’s, Socehaz came storming back. And, their usual style which itself has been rumoured to have inspired the likes of Vinnie Jones and Robbie Savage to the ‘beautiful’ game led to the ball being bundled over the line in the dying moments of the first half.
The second half panned out in a remarkably similar way as the first however, Wembley struggled to convert their chances and as the game went on Socehaz grew and started to look the more likely to come away with a win. As extra time beckoned the younger members of the Wembley Delta side began to struggle and a lapse in concentration led to a forward galloping midfielder from the Socehaz being left unmarked and driving the ball home from some 25 yards. There was pandemonium in the crowd and on the pitch and with Wembley desperately charging forward to get a late equalizer Socehaz wrapped up the victory with a flowing counter attacking move.
Obviously, I was devastated by the loss but it was an incredible game and the boys thrived playing in a more intense environment from their usual games. I only wish that I’d gone for the Chelsea style of play like Tom as, even in Zambia, Arsene Wenger’s beautiful football doesn’t produce the necessary results!
Anyhoo, Matt, Harriet, Sheila and I have packed our bags as we leave on Wednesday for ten days in the rural village of Chongwe living off insects and relieving ourselves in a hole in the ground...the other four will face a similar fate when they head off to Liteta on Thursday! I know it’s going to be hard to live without any updates on this little blog but stay tuned as Ailsa has been sent home with two videos that should give you more of an idea of what we’ve been up to out here!
Love to all,
Kyle and PZ x
Time for a break... well kind of.
Morning PZ Lovers!
Last weekend the PZ massive plus our staff member Ailsa ventured to Livingstone- the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls. We started off from a very hectic Lusaka Bus Terminal, being mauled by over-eager coach salesmen, at 6:00, for a departure time of 6:30- but being in Zambia we were doubtful of leaving before 10:00. Alas it turns out the only thing that runs according to British standards here in Zambia is the Bus system: so we left promptly at 6:30. After a 6 hour journey south, accompanied by Westlife, Backstreet Boys and the massive phenomenon Celine Dion, we arrived at our destination, enthusiastic to throw ourselves off bridges, down rivers and into whatever strange scenarios we came across. Our first hiccup came when we appeared at Jollyboys Hostel reception to find no booking under our name- just one twin room for Ailsa. After negotiating to negotiate in the morning, we settled in our dorm and left for the natural wonder of the world Livingstone is famous for. After being told by Mel (the new SIA sport ambassador) to be prepared to get wet, we rocked up in shorts and t-shirts-some less suitable for a drenching than others. We ventured across the knife’s edge bridge to find the only rainfall in Zambia. The spray from the falls was incredible, reaching at least the height of the falls again (111ft in case you were wondering) above the gorge height. After a good ol’british photo session we took the bus back to town for a nice meal at a restaurant ran and staffed by local youth workers- being trained on the job.
The next day was the big one, rafting down the Zambezi River. After nervously meandering our way down a sheer, wooden ladder system we reached the bottom of the gorge, split into Team Zambezi (Harriet, Lyndsay, Sheila and I) and Team Awesome (Ailsa, Siena, Tom and Kyle) and started our journey through rapids 10-25. After several capsizes- some purposeful, some not – we safely made our exit to lunch served alongside the river- watching the Lions test. After, we made our way on to the sunset cruise to have dinner and drinks under the twilight of the Zambian moon.
The next day began bright and early for Tom and me, with micro lighting over the Victoria Falls. The feeling of flying over such an incredible sight – the locals call it Mosi o Tundra (The Smoke that Thunders) - was indescribable. We flew over herds of elephants, giraffes and zebras, hippos snoozing upstream in the Zambezi, deserted hotels in Zimbabwe as well as circling the falls several times for some excellent video opportunities. Meanwhile the rest of the girls and Ailsa went on the hunt for the “Big Five” on a game drive through the national park. Seeing the majority of the animals in the natural environment was an experience definitely worthwhile, and the chance to see some giraffes doing what animals do best was, I’m sure, an everlasting memory.
Our final day kicked off with breakfast on the edge of the falls, and when I say edge I mean about half a metre away, on a slippery rock, with a random Zambian holding your hand as a ‘health and safety precaution’. This was where Dr Livingstone saw the falls for the first time and for us, a breathtaking encounter in the morning sunshine, with rainbows framing the falls. Lyndsay and Siena, inspired by Tom’s and my adventures, also took to the skies micro lighting in the afternoon. In their opinion “The scariest yet most amazing experience of their lives!” I (blowing my entire life’s savings) decided to gorge swing over the Zambezi- involving a jump similar to a bungee jump, except not upside down, facing forwards with a freefall of 55ft, (check out the jump at Abseil Zambia on Facebook –an innocent plus that I promised) which was completely exhilarating. Everyone was far too scared to even watch let alone take part (just kidding). Tom also went on his lion walk, which consisted of distracting the rather sizeable lions with a stick so that you could stroke them.
All in all a fantastic weekend and an awesome break from the hustle and bustle of Lusaka and a deserved break after five weeks of hard work even if Kyle and Matt did miss out on seeing the British Lions.
Lots of Love
Katie (and the PZ team)
xxxxxxxx
Last weekend the PZ massive plus our staff member Ailsa ventured to Livingstone- the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls. We started off from a very hectic Lusaka Bus Terminal, being mauled by over-eager coach salesmen, at 6:00, for a departure time of 6:30- but being in Zambia we were doubtful of leaving before 10:00. Alas it turns out the only thing that runs according to British standards here in Zambia is the Bus system: so we left promptly at 6:30. After a 6 hour journey south, accompanied by Westlife, Backstreet Boys and the massive phenomenon Celine Dion, we arrived at our destination, enthusiastic to throw ourselves off bridges, down rivers and into whatever strange scenarios we came across. Our first hiccup came when we appeared at Jollyboys Hostel reception to find no booking under our name- just one twin room for Ailsa. After negotiating to negotiate in the morning, we settled in our dorm and left for the natural wonder of the world Livingstone is famous for. After being told by Mel (the new SIA sport ambassador) to be prepared to get wet, we rocked up in shorts and t-shirts-some less suitable for a drenching than others. We ventured across the knife’s edge bridge to find the only rainfall in Zambia. The spray from the falls was incredible, reaching at least the height of the falls again (111ft in case you were wondering) above the gorge height. After a good ol’british photo session we took the bus back to town for a nice meal at a restaurant ran and staffed by local youth workers- being trained on the job.
The next day was the big one, rafting down the Zambezi River. After nervously meandering our way down a sheer, wooden ladder system we reached the bottom of the gorge, split into Team Zambezi (Harriet, Lyndsay, Sheila and I) and Team Awesome (Ailsa, Siena, Tom and Kyle) and started our journey through rapids 10-25. After several capsizes- some purposeful, some not – we safely made our exit to lunch served alongside the river- watching the Lions test. After, we made our way on to the sunset cruise to have dinner and drinks under the twilight of the Zambian moon.
The next day began bright and early for Tom and me, with micro lighting over the Victoria Falls. The feeling of flying over such an incredible sight – the locals call it Mosi o Tundra (The Smoke that Thunders) - was indescribable. We flew over herds of elephants, giraffes and zebras, hippos snoozing upstream in the Zambezi, deserted hotels in Zimbabwe as well as circling the falls several times for some excellent video opportunities. Meanwhile the rest of the girls and Ailsa went on the hunt for the “Big Five” on a game drive through the national park. Seeing the majority of the animals in the natural environment was an experience definitely worthwhile, and the chance to see some giraffes doing what animals do best was, I’m sure, an everlasting memory.
Our final day kicked off with breakfast on the edge of the falls, and when I say edge I mean about half a metre away, on a slippery rock, with a random Zambian holding your hand as a ‘health and safety precaution’. This was where Dr Livingstone saw the falls for the first time and for us, a breathtaking encounter in the morning sunshine, with rainbows framing the falls. Lyndsay and Siena, inspired by Tom’s and my adventures, also took to the skies micro lighting in the afternoon. In their opinion “The scariest yet most amazing experience of their lives!” I (blowing my entire life’s savings) decided to gorge swing over the Zambezi- involving a jump similar to a bungee jump, except not upside down, facing forwards with a freefall of 55ft, (check out the jump at Abseil Zambia on Facebook –an innocent plus that I promised) which was completely exhilarating. Everyone was far too scared to even watch let alone take part (just kidding). Tom also went on his lion walk, which consisted of distracting the rather sizeable lions with a stick so that you could stroke them.
All in all a fantastic weekend and an awesome break from the hustle and bustle of Lusaka and a deserved break after five weeks of hard work even if Kyle and Matt did miss out on seeing the British Lions.
Lots of Love
Katie (and the PZ team)
xxxxxxxx
Thursday 2 July 2009
Matt and Siena Hold A Tag Rugby Tournament
Dear PZ Followers,
Last Wednesday we held a tag rugby tournament for the children (aged 9-14) of three schools within which I have been working with Siena. The tournament involved approximately 100 children and provided a fun filled afternoon during which their skills could be showcased against fellow peers. The high skill level shown by the children was a real testament to the dedication that many put into their training every week, and also clearly showed the natural talent and flair of the children we work with.
The tournament was like no other I have experienced there were well over one hundred spectators and this made for a competitive, friendly atmosphere, there was also a real carnival vibe from the singing and dancing that took place pitch side.
The day was a great success and enjoyed by all those in attendance, including the national news broadcaster ZNBC! The level of interest was such that we hope to organise another tournament for the children during our final week in Lusaka.
Best Wishes,
Matt and the PZ Team
Last Wednesday we held a tag rugby tournament for the children (aged 9-14) of three schools within which I have been working with Siena. The tournament involved approximately 100 children and provided a fun filled afternoon during which their skills could be showcased against fellow peers. The high skill level shown by the children was a real testament to the dedication that many put into their training every week, and also clearly showed the natural talent and flair of the children we work with.
The tournament was like no other I have experienced there were well over one hundred spectators and this made for a competitive, friendly atmosphere, there was also a real carnival vibe from the singing and dancing that took place pitch side.
The day was a great success and enjoyed by all those in attendance, including the national news broadcaster ZNBC! The level of interest was such that we hope to organise another tournament for the children during our final week in Lusaka.
Best Wishes,
Matt and the PZ Team
Wednesday 1 July 2009
Half way there...
Dear PZ followers
Today we were all invited to a press conference to announce the involvement of St Andrews with Sport In Action, as well as announcing that Mel Marshall as their Sports Ambassador. Various journalists were there- including the Times and the Post, alongside TV news crews. Amongst guests of honor was the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Sport, the President of the Sports Association and a member from the Ministry of Education. The proceedings were quite formal, with speeches from the top table - including me - followed by questions from the press and guests, leading to discussions into the politics of sports in Zambia.
Later in the afternoon we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit a hospice - Our Lady's in Kalingalinga. The hospice is for victims of AIDS, catering for both inpatients and outpatients. When we arrived we were all struck by the peace and tranquillity of the surroundings - the buildings were like clinics in the UK and ahve all beeen sponsored by different countries such as Denmark and Ireland. The hospice has 5000 registered patients and 30 beds for inpatients. As there is currently a nurse's strike the hospice is full with patients from the main hospitals in Lusaka.
We were shown round a as a small group by an inspiring nurse who had worked thetre for over 20 years and invited us to be shown around the wards and meet the patients and their carers (usually whom are family). It was a very moving experience to meet the patients - some of which are terminally ill, in particular a 16 year old boy suffering from meningitis, TB and a severe chest infection. The doctors gave him only days to live. We were made to feel very welcome by all staff, patients and carers. This was a surprisingly positive experience as patients were treated with compassion in dignified surroundings. The sad thing is that this is one of only four hospices in Lusaka and their funding is in jeopardy. At the moment medication such as ARV's, anti-biotics to outpatients is free- but this may have to change.
The visit really did hit home the reality of people living and dying with AIDS here in Zambia.
Ailsa
Today we were all invited to a press conference to announce the involvement of St Andrews with Sport In Action, as well as announcing that Mel Marshall as their Sports Ambassador. Various journalists were there- including the Times and the Post, alongside TV news crews. Amongst guests of honor was the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Sport, the President of the Sports Association and a member from the Ministry of Education. The proceedings were quite formal, with speeches from the top table - including me - followed by questions from the press and guests, leading to discussions into the politics of sports in Zambia.
Later in the afternoon we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit a hospice - Our Lady's in Kalingalinga. The hospice is for victims of AIDS, catering for both inpatients and outpatients. When we arrived we were all struck by the peace and tranquillity of the surroundings - the buildings were like clinics in the UK and ahve all beeen sponsored by different countries such as Denmark and Ireland. The hospice has 5000 registered patients and 30 beds for inpatients. As there is currently a nurse's strike the hospice is full with patients from the main hospitals in Lusaka.
We were shown round a as a small group by an inspiring nurse who had worked thetre for over 20 years and invited us to be shown around the wards and meet the patients and their carers (usually whom are family). It was a very moving experience to meet the patients - some of which are terminally ill, in particular a 16 year old boy suffering from meningitis, TB and a severe chest infection. The doctors gave him only days to live. We were made to feel very welcome by all staff, patients and carers. This was a surprisingly positive experience as patients were treated with compassion in dignified surroundings. The sad thing is that this is one of only four hospices in Lusaka and their funding is in jeopardy. At the moment medication such as ARV's, anti-biotics to outpatients is free- but this may have to change.
The visit really did hit home the reality of people living and dying with AIDS here in Zambia.
Ailsa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
