World Challenge - Eswatini 2024
Our World Challenge Team visited Eswatini in July 2024 for their expedition, read about their incredible trip below:
The Journey
The challengers arrived at school at 4am on the 18th July, ready to board the minibuses to Birmingham Airport! At the airport they met our World Challenge leader Phil who handed out the group kit. They squeezed these extra items into their backpacks and checked them in for their flight. Flight one went direct to Doha and the team spent the seven hour flight watching endless movies and playing 'who wants to be a millionaire'. Doha was a fascinating airport with its own rainforest in the middle. This was a whopping 10 hour layover! Most of the challengers killed time by eating in Wagamama's, spending money in the shops, playing cards and some even managed to get a massage! The second flight was direct to Johannesburg and soon the long day caught up with them and sleep was had by all. In Johannesburg airport, the team leaders stepped up and ensured the team had all the money they needed for the next two weeks. The money was then split up amongst the team and hidden in their money belts. Onwards to the border of Eswatini. As night fell, all challengers had successfully entered Eswatini and arrived safely at their first campsite just outside the capital city. A good sleep was had by all.
Working at an orphanage
Challengers emerged from their tents the next day to sunny skies and a good breakfast. Today was orientation day. An Eswatini SIM card was purchased, the in-country agent was met, and a plan was created for the next two weeks. That afternoon, we were treated to a cultural experience of traditional Swazi dances.
The next morning, we set off for the project in rural Eswatini. First stop was the supermarket as challengers would be cooking on open fire for the next few days. Buying food and cooking equipment for twenty people is harder than it seems, as is carrying it!
After a very bumpy drive, we arrived in a small village and set up our tents outside a very small nursery school for orphaned children. This was very remote and basic. There would be no showers for the challengers here and a very basic long drop toilet! However, they rose to the challenge and got stuck in.
During the heat of the day, the challengers painted classrooms and prepared a vegetable patch for the school. The days were broken up by playing with the orphaned children and this was a delight to see. So many happy faces from the challengers and young children. Later in the afternoon some of the challengers played football with the local teenagers who had come back from school. Despite the language barrier, football is football and was highly competitive. The team were impressed with how good the teenagers were playing barefoot.
One challenger declared they needed sweets by day two and so a local teenager offered to walk us to the local shop. After an hour's trek, up and down hills, we arrived at a small shack filled with crisps, biscuits and pop! All teenagers sugar cravings were dealt with! After four days, it was time to pack away, say our goodbyes and head for a shower and proper toilet. Once all challengers were clean, it was time to for a BBQ courtesy of the boys and a reflection on the past few days.
The Trek
It was now time for the trek! Some were raring to go, and some were apprehensive. The backpacks were stripped down to bare essentials, so they were lighter to carry and we loaded up the bus to head into the hills. The first afternoon of the trek was a gentle hour walk to our accommodation; rock lodge. This accommodation took our breath away. It was an open-air lodge built into the cliff. The views were spectacular, especially from the open-air toilet!
Once the sun had set, there was no electricity, and all challengers fell quiet for a breezy night's sleep under the stars. A 5am wakeup call brought the challengers out of their slumber. They set off at sunrise to avoid the heat of the day. The trek was tough, with many ups and downs and boulders to avoid. However, the views made the trek, and the comradery of the team kept everyone going.
Our campsite for night two was truly wild, in every sense (the poo shovel needed to come out!). A plot of land by a river was our accommodation and the evening was spent recharging the batteries for the final day of trek. Another 5am wakeup call to get our achy legs going again. A horrible steep climb to start the trek and then glorious views across the valley.
By this point, the entire team were now avid bird watchers helping Mr Garner spot rare bird species! Today was a longer trek and the heat got to a few challengers by mid-afternoon. They dragged their weary feet down the mountain and into a beautiful campsite. Off came the walking boots and into the showers they went.
Kruger National Park
The hard part was over, and then we moved onto the last phase of the trip; a journey back to South Africa and to Kruger National Park. On the way the team stopped off at the World's second largest rock; Sibebe. Miss Thomas was very excited about this as a geography teacher!
Inside Kruger National Park, challengers were treated to tents with mattresses! Such a treat after two weeks of sleeping on a thin blow-up mattress. Before they could get comfy, it was straight off on safari. All challengers and staff were very excited with cameras at the ready. The team split into two safari buses and off they went out into Kruger to spot the big 5. Challengers were warned not to expect to see all of the big 5, but the team were lucky enough to see all 5 over the three days! A truly memorable experience for them all. To end this magical experience, it would be rude not to go out to celebrate with steak and ice cream and to reminisce on the past two weeks.
The Journey Home
Time to pack up for the final time and head back to Johannesburg airport. All souvenirs finally purchased at the airport and on to the night flight. I've never known such tired teenagers sleep the entire flight home! Very happy parents met the team at the airport and cuddles were had by all. Miss Thomas and Mr Garner wished them well with their exam results and said goodbye. Suddenly it was silent for the first time in two weeks!
A Trip of a Lifetime
This was a trip of a lifetime for Year 11 and one they will never forget. All challengers fully embraced life outside their comfort zone, came together as a team and made the most of this special opportunity. We hope they have come away from it a little more confident, an appreciation for what they have and a passion to travel the world further!
It was a pleasure to share the experience with them.
Miss Thomas and Mr Garner
Our next world challenge will take our Year 11 students to Namibia!
