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UHAMBO
From Friday 8 August, the three groups of Grade 9 St John’s girls embarked upon an epic trip to the Drakensberg. The three week adventure will be known as UHAMBO, which means ‘journey’ in Zulu. The reason for the name is that this trip will be a physical, spiritual and emotional journey for the girls.
The girls will be doing a variety of activities including hiking, cycling and pony-trekking. For the most part they will be camping although occasionally they will overnight in mountain huts. They will cover a distance of roughly 300kms with a large portion of that on their own steam. They will be completely self-sufficient, carrying with them all that they need in the way of food, clothing and shelter.
UHAMBO is based on a similar trip undertaken by Somerset College in Somerset West with their Grade 9 learners, which one of our staff members was fortunate to participate in 2006 with a view to introducing a similar concept at St John’s D.S.G.
The intention of UHAMBO is promote an opportunity to develop tolerance, gratitude, perseverance and endurance. It should also encourage environmental awareness and respect. Another important aim of UHAMBO is to teach the value of family, friends and one’s broader community. The idea is to provide the girls with an enriching experience during which they can look at life in a more meaningful way, and have a brief respite from our fast-paced, often superficial consumerist society.
UHAMBO GROUP 1
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UHAMBO GROUP 2
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UHAMBO GROUP 3
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RETURN OF THE GIRLS FROM UHAMBO
From Thursday 28 August until Saturday 30th, there was great excitement as parents and staff awaited the return of the Uhambo girls:
GROUP ONE
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The last supper before the home journey |
Arrival at the school gates. |
GROUP TWO
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The night before returning home |
Homeward Bound |
GROUP THREE
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The last snack in the mountains |
The trek has finally nearing the end! |
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