Car Boots and Paranoia...

09/06/13

Saturdays car boot sale went well. I raised a total of £27. It may not seem like much but that almost covers the cost of my Yellow Fever injection, which is £31!  It was a beautiful day and I have sun burn to prove it. On tuesday I have my Yellow Fever and my medical examination.

I had my Chest X-ray - a visa requirement - on Friday. It was an interesting experience. I had to remove all clothing from the top half of my body and put an open-back gown on. To make me feel even worse, the woman in charge opened the door while I was still getting changed, with no warning. As I entered the x-ray room, the first thing she said was "you paid yet?" in a snappy tone. Way to prove its all about the money.

The actual x-ray was simple enough - stand with your chest against the metal plate, arms back, hold your breath. It was over in seconds and before I knew it I was putting my clothes back on.

I then headed to reception to pay the £55 fee. I hope the nurse noticed me cringe as I handed over the money. After a little wait, I was issued with my report. Easy as that. And thankfully, I don't have TB, a heart condition or any other life threatening disease. The report simply said: No enlarged heart. Unremarkable lungs. No focal lung abnormality to note...

Money troubles and rolling fast...

06/06/13

I'll make this one short and simple for you, here is what has happened since my last post.

• Posted birth certificate, passport, passport photos and visa application to Project Trust
• Had final Hep B on 4th
• Called to check progress and then recieved Basic Disclosure
• Booked Chest X-ray for June 7th
• Booked Yellow Fever for June 11th
• Booked Medical Examination for June 11th
• Still to phone Project Trust and pay Visa Fee, then Visa Application is complete.

And the total cost of the above?  £140. I am just a little dissapointed. After putting in so much effort to raise the £5400, it's a bit depressing to pay out extra costs. But I do feel grateful, as I have heard of others paying over £400 for the above plus the cost of injections - which I got for free! To break it down: Post Service Special Delivery £14, X-ray £55, Yellow Fever £36 and Visa Fee £35.

I'm on a roll, it looks like I will have everything sorted and sent to Project Trust by June 15th, the deadline. 38 days until training, 77 days until South Africa.

It's June...again?

01/06/2013

Firstly, I can't believe it's June already. I say that every month but it's true, I'm sure any other volunteer would agree that time flies faster in a Project Trust world! Almost a whole year has past since my Selection Course. I guess fundraising has had me busy for almost ten months straight... there is now only 82 teensy weensy days until I leave! I'm getting more excited everyday, everything is becoming very real. Especially since I received a rucksack and mosquito net for my birthday...how exciting!? 

So here's an idea of what's happening this month, it's going to be a busy one:

2nd: Post passport, birth certificate, signed photo's and visa application to Project Trust.

4th: Injection number 8, my third and final Hepatitis B.

5th: Medical Examination for Visa Application. Will lead to my chest x-ray too.

8th: Phone Project Trust and pay £35 Visa Cost. Car Boot Sale to raise spending money.

9th: Father's Day!

11th: Final injection for South Africa - Yellow Fever.

12th: Brother's 21st Birthday. Gran's 81st Birthday.

13th: I leave for Birmingham Trip and return on the 17th.

15th: Deadline for all visa documents.

So much to do, so little time.

Click HERE to see my South Africa Bucket List.

It never ends...

27/05/2013

It's my Birthday! I am now nineteen, an age most seem to dismiss as boring and uneventful. However, it will be quite the opposite for me as I embark on my African adventure in a mere three months! The excitement never ends.

So on Saturday 25th May I climbed Goat Fell. Again, you are probably thinking why on earth would I willingly climb Goat Fell after finally completing the torture of raising £5400. Well unfortunately ladies and gentlemen that haven't been following my blog, there are excess costs. Such as? Visa, x-ray, disclosure form, injections, flight to London, travel to Oban, Oban accommodation, spending money (recommended £1000) etc.

On top of Goat Fell, success!

On top of Goat Fell, lovely day!

My family sponsored me to climb Goat Fell and raised a whopping £370 towards my excess costs/spending money! I am very grateful that they took the time and effort to help, even though the money wasn't directly for Project Trust. I now have a grand total of £935 spending money. I feel so lucky and can't thank everyone enough that contributed towards my fundraising!

Fundraising complete: £5445

SOUTH AFRICA HERE I COME!

16/05/2013

THIS DATE WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY.

Well it's been a long time coming but my placement details arrived today! Finally! And I really couldn't be happier. I have been bouncing of the walls and squealing like an idiot all day.

I have been placed in Durbanville Children's Home, CAPE TOWN! Incredible. I know I originally asked for the whole rural, living in a mud hut, feeding on crops kind of thing but I am over the moon. Durbanville is still classed as rural, but it's beyond me how you can say that when Cape Town is a 25 minute drive away. At least I know I could never be bored, eh?! I'm pretty sure I could get used to rolling hills and a view of the stunning table mountain every day. 

To get you educated on the children's home, here is what they say: 

"We can make all make a difference in the lives of traumatized children. Many children are neglected and in great danger due to poverty, crime, violence, drug abuse and the general disintegration of moral values and family life in many South Africa communities. Durbanville Children's Home provides a safe haven for these children in order to protect them from physical and emotional abuse." 

My main duties will include working with children that have behavioral difficulties and helping out with homework clubs. Hopefully I will be able to start some art/drama clubs for fun! I should also be able to set up a secondary project in a poorer area. I will occasionally work night shifts too, that sounds quite tough but I'm sure I will get used to it! I will be living in a flat within the compound with about 3 other Project Trust girls....my partners that I can't wait to meet on training! We will have to cook and clean for ourselfs: sounds great fun! Oh, and a bonus, we have a pool.

Stunning Cape Town

How close we are!

One of the most exciting things was to find out my flight date...22nd August! It hasn't been confirmed yet but it's very likely. I will be returning to sunny Scotland on 15th August 2014, woow. 99 days to go.

It's not all sparkles and sunshine however, there is a lot of paper work! Before the 15th June I must have had a TB injection, Yellow Fever and a Chest X-ray. These are all part of the very rigorous visa application. I also need to have my doctor tick some boxes to say I'm all good to go.

Included in the email was fifteen attachments of information. Yes, 15! I must say, one I was most excited about was the "Clothing and Equipment List" but come on...two pairs of pajamas for a full year?! I'm sure I will manage ;).

Unfortunately I can't really find any pictures of the children's home itself. You will just need to wait a couple of months! I really am so happy and can't wait to spend my year in Durbanville.

Money and Mourning...

08/05/2013

I'm very sad. The Email regarding our placement details has been postponed once again. At first it was pure excitement and anticipation but after nearly three weeks of thinking "it's definitely coming tomorrow" I feel empty! It won't be here until next week. I am trying not to get my hopes up though. Of course, I do understand completely, it's a difficult process for Project Trust: deciding the fates of so many volunteers! 

I have a car boot sale on Saturday. I know what your thinking. Why on earth would I willingly attend a car boot sale once I have already finished fundraising? Spending money! If you haven't been following my blog - go back to the beginning and start now. Only joking...

If you haven't been reading my blog, I need to raise an extra £1000 on top of the £5400 already raised for Project Trust. The grand however is for me, for spending money. If like me you don't have any savings to dip into, it's quite difficult to make a grand in a limited amount of time! We are not aloud to raise it in the name of the charity. I don't have a job, making the task even more impossible. So you might be surprised to hear I have already saved £500! This has come purely from car boot sales and my student bursary (cheap student here.) I am positive that I will reach the £1000. My family are sponsoring me to climb Goat Fell this month. I think it's a great idea because they know the money is to cover personal costs whilst i'm overseas...and they want to see me attempt a mountain.

Sorry if my blog is a little boring recently... I have pictures to add. Until next time!

11/05/2013
Unfortunately the car boot sale was cancelled but i'm sure there will be many more.

MAY?!

07/05/2013

I really can't believe how fast time flies. The last time I heard "May the Fourth be with you" was a whole year ago, it feels like only weeks. This time last year I was booking onto my selection course! In no time I'll be on my training course and then I'll be sitting on a plane, South Africa bound, with nothing but a rucksack and an open mind.

I have a few obstacles before training, including a trip to Devon and a trip to Birmingham for Insurgence 5 - The Vampire Diaries Convention. My trip to Birmingham is almost like a test run for South Africa, I'll be flying alone and staying in a hotel alone for four nights...that calls for independence! Oh and my birthday! 27th May.

Just in case you're a fan, I get to meet these guys!

This morning I had my second Hep B injection. I haven't been looking forward to this one as the first one hurt...like hell! So far i'm fine so let's hope it stays that way. I am now only aware of one more injection, Hep B no.3 on June 4th. However, I'm sure Project Trust will tell me to get Yellow Fever once my placement details arrive.