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Cheetah Conservation Fund Trip with the
Grade 7s (4-6 July 2008)
On July 4th, we left Swakopmund with a convoy of two 16-passenger combis and a 5-person car. We stopped twice for short breaks and ate our lunch in the combi before arriving at C.C.F around 4 PM. After arrival, we set up our tents and then headed off for a quick game-drive with our C.C.F. educator, Gephardt. On the game-drive, a few people saw some cheetahs and all of us saw some gemsbok, red hartebeest, a bat-eared fox (we think), and some other beautiful animals. We then returned to the camp-site and made a fire to warm our hands and prepare our supper (spaghetti bolognaise)! Different crews (Lions, Leopards, and Cheetahs) were responsible for cooking and cleaning and they did a great job despite the freezing cold weather (literally). After dinner, we chatted for a bit, but soon went to bed because it was very cold!
In the late afternoon, Gephardt showed a video on C.C.F, explaining its mission, purpose, and various activities that they are engaged in. In the evening, we went on a game-drive with Laura, one of the foreign volunteers working there. On this game-drive, we were able to get out and walk around which the kids really enjoyed, though the game-viewing was significantly reduced as they all ran away!
Sunday morning, we were greeted by friendlier weather, particularly because we saw the sun before 10 AM! This helped the mood greatly and everyone was ready to head back home after an interesting and wonderful trip! All in all, it was a wonderful trip and the Grade 7s impressed us with their positive attitudes, good questions, hard work and integrity. |
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 Magdalena and Paulina |
 Rio learning |
 Faustina, Glediola, Ndeshipanda, and the rest of the girls |
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As
the Grade 7 teacher, I am blessed with a wonderful class. Not only
their behavior, but their attendance is excellent. In fact, their
attendance is so good, that 29 out of 30 were able to go on the Grade
7 Field Trip to the Cheetah Conservation Fund (C.C.F.) outside of
Otjiwarongo. With such a large group, we needed all the hands (and
listening ears) that we could get, so it was great to have enough room
to take seven staff-members.
After
a long night (because it was literally frozen!), we woke up and ate an
early breakfast, so that we could get to the site by 8 AM for the
exercising of the cheetahs. After watching that, Gephardt led us
through various educational activities, including several "Predator
Preyground" activities demonstrating the challenges that face cheetahs
in the wild. We then went on to the museum where the kids learned a
great deal about the cheetah and they later had to show their
knowledge through some worksheets. Through all these activities, they
listened remarkably well and had such a positive attitude! Later in
the day, we saw the cheetahs being fed and then had a break for lunch,
showers, and a bit of soccer.
Once
the sun was setting, we returned for a quick viewing of the clinic
where they examine cheetahs for sickness or wounds and then back to
our campsite. That evening, we ate well with boerworst (sausage)
sandwiches and pap (corn-meal mix) a-la-Ephraim-and-Herman (one of our
staff members and one of our students). After washing up, we enjoyed a
Talent Show initiated and planned by the Grade 7s. It was wonderful to
see the musical and dancing talent of these young adults and to see
their comfort level with each other!