Dundee West are proud of three of our U18s Boys who travelled to Southern Africa for some voluntary work during July.
Owen Farquharson, Evan Lawson & Euan Ramsay from our 2009 Reds Boys travelled to Eswantini (which sits between South Africa and Mozambique) to take part in a Community Initiative, learn about local cultures and gain brilliant experiences. The club made a donation which was handed over for the good of the community and the boys also took some Dundee West strips (sponsored by Nicolls Bakery) with them to hand over too.
Please read on for more details about the boys amazing trip and experiences written by Owen
On arriving in Ezulwini Valley we set up camp this camp is also known as Valley of Heaven due to the amazing views, rugged mountains, and tribal culture.
From there we headed to Mantenga Cultural Village for a welcome dance performance- which we all took part in and made to feel very welcome, we learned about Swazi dance and the importance of dance in their village.
Onto the Lubombo Trail which was into the mountains with volcanic peaks which stretch from Mozambique to South Africa. We visited Dali style sculptures. The Lubombo Conservancy spans three wildlife reserves. We explored the little-known walking trails that linked all 3, explored secret caves which were amazing, this area is home to baboons, giraffes, zebra and impalas.
Onto the community Initiative travelling to Ngwenya Glass Complex to see how recycled glass is transformed into beautiful sculptures and everydat essential household items.
We discovered the reality of local life when we joined a neighbourhood Care Point which supports vulnerable children with meals, educations and much more.
We helped with building work and got involved with village life, learning about cattle herding and Lutindzi grass weaving making mats. The grass used is harvested high in the mountains. We joined in with the whole village for church seeing how important this element in for local life.
This side of Eswatini few tourists see, we used bucket showers and pit latrines.
We spent 3 days at a camp where we volunteered in the local community, we helped at a nursery, playing games and interacting with the children, we built new toilets for the children and staff.
We were also given some money from our local football club Dundee West, ( myself and 2 others Evan and Euan play for this team) we handed this over to the pastor of the nursery who was so pleased to receive this donation. It was very emotional seeing how this money could be and would be used, this gave us the opportunity to make a positive difference to the community.
We were asked to play a football game with the local team, after our game we handed over a full set of team strips donated again by Dundee West for them to keep and use, again this was received with emotion and gratitude.
Headed of to Hlane National Park which is one of the biggest protected areas in Eswatini stopping off at the Swazi candles complex- even had a go at making some. Then visited another village to experience traditional culture and how their homes and village are set up. This was quite a difference experience seeing how people live on a day-to-day basis.
Participating in the Eswatini initiative was a valuable experience it opened my eyes and challenged me more than I imagined. Throughout the trip I contributed to projects and gained experience in problem solving, communicating and cross-cultural collaboration, with their different ways of living and life along with the challenges they face. The wildlife and trekking were beautiful. An experience that I will treasure, and memories made for a lifetime, an unforgettable experience.
Huge Well done to Owen, Evan and Euan.
A brillaint experience and you're Simply The West !!!
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