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Search forDerby High School pupils' African memories to last a lifetime
Monday, September 01, 2008, 07:30
But the beasts weren't wandering across the plains of South Derbyshire – they were in the Kalahari desert where the 17 youngsters were on a school exhibition.
And they had some valuable help in their hunt, in the shape of Kalahari bushmen.
Teacher Carol Riley, who travelled with the pupils from Derby High School, said the group spent five days camping with three bushmen in the desert.
She said: "We baked bread in the hot ashes, made bows and arrows and tracked animals.
"We also set traps and were lucky enough to catch two antelope on our first morning, which we skinned, gutted and cooked on the open fire. The liver was particularly tasty."
The pupils voted the trip to Botswana and Zambia "the experience of a lifetime".
The girls, accompanied by two teachers, were taking part in a World Challenge Expedition for which they raised £57,000.
The month-long trip included helping at a day centre.
Carol said the first night under canvas was marred by the theft of 1,400 dollars, two cameras, two pairs of walking boots and a mobile phone.
"But a trip to the local police station proved an interesting experience," said Mrs Riley.
"And the sheer wonder of the Kalahari desert for the following five days was distracting."
The trip began when the girls arrived at the Cheshire Foundation in Mogoditshane, a suburb of Gaborone, in Botswana.
This is a residential and day centre for disabled children and adults.
Mrs Riley said: "We helped with the care of the children during lessons, playtime and feeding. We also spent time decorating two of the classrooms with colourful murals."
An overnight train journey north led the party to the town of Maun, where they enjoyed a boat trip in dugout boats and bush walks to see elephants, giraffes and zebras.
A game drive into Chobe National Park was followed by a drive over the border into Zambia, where they had a five-day trek into the Batoka Gorge and along the Zambezi.
Mrs Riley said: "Our campsites were idyllic and we slept under the most amazing stars with just our mosquito nets for protection."
A trip to the Victoria Falls was followed by a visit to Zambia's capital, Lusaka, to round off the trip.
Mrs Riley said: "We aim to keep in touch with the centre in Botswana and hope the murals we have painted are a memory of our being there."
The girls have been completely overwhelmed by the expedition. Harriet Wiiliams, 16, said: "We experienced different cultures and ways of life.
"For example, one week we were cleaning our bowls with sand, the next trekking along the Batoka Gorge and sleeping next to the Zambezi River.
"It was an amazing adventure I will remember forever."
Fellow pupil Kezi Methuen-Jones said: " I've had the time of my life, made new friends, seen things I will never see again.
"It truly is one of the most worthwhile things I've ever done in my life."
"The beautiful sunset over the Victoria Falls will stay with me forever," said Hollie Webster, 17.
"Our trip to Zambia and Botswana has been a real adventure full of highs and lows."
Lizzie Saunders, also 17, said: "Looking up each night at the edge of the Milky Way and watching shooting stars was truly amazing."
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