And they're off

A few hours before sunrise yesterday, everyone was up and packing up the last few things before they piled on to the buses and headed off in their groups to their projects for the next three weeks.

Everyone was getting very excited despite only having a few hours sleep. Tango 5 were the first to leave before 6am...

Richard

Guy

Photographer Kathryn heads out with Tango 5

Tango 5 ready to leave

Echo 4 gathering bamboo to build their camp

Basher city empty as all the equipment is taken to the project sites

Lottie, Rachel and Lucy head out with Charlie 2

All the materials needed to bring out the creative ideas from Echo 3

Maddie and Susan leaving for their trek with Tango 6

Running Rob, Tango 6,  not wanting to be left behind 

Catherine, Sunil, Louis, Nic ready to leave with Eleri watching 

The new logo for Tango 6 on its first outing

Tango 6 leave early morning

Eager to get going

Echo 4 were the last group to leave which left Jen (coms), Polly (logs manager), Becca (logs), Una (admin), Eleri (medic) and Julia (country program manager) at Fieldbase. 


More replies to messages have been received....


From - Georgia Zervudachi
To - Jamie

:) Thanks for your message. It was OK, I watched lots of movies! And of course I won at radio. I also used 'wilco'. I'm having a great time and everyone is lovely. I miss you very much too, I hope all is well with you. Love Georgia

From - Sean Cullinane
To - Mum, Dad and Colleen


Thank you for the messages, glad you have seen the photos's (although can't wear sunglasses on them otherwise you wouldn't see who's who:). On the trek didn't see many animals - but plenty of cows, although they showed us some snakes at the campsite. Having a great time, will be digging elephant proof trenches tomorrow (new group - Echo 4). Missing you all, from Sean




From - Sunil Mistry
To - My Fans


Having a great time, killed a chicken with my bare hands. Been on a practice trek and got my community phase first, where I'll be building toilets!  :)  Weather's great here and I'm having soo much fun!




From - Louisa Mohsen
To - Mum, Ben, Aunty and Lucy


Thank you so much for your messages, it was lovely to receive them and know that you haven't forgotten about me yet! I am having SUCH a good time, have just returned from the trek training with a really nice group and I'm going on my environmental phase tomorrow! Going to pack now .....Nightmare! Missing you all.




From -Georgia Zervudachi
To - Mum, Dad and Alex


Thank you for my messages and congratulations for working it all out....gold star! I'm very well and having a great time. Just got back from trek training (which was fantastic!) with some lovely people and about to start the environment phase (I'm in Echo 3) - elephant trenches here I come! Tonnes of love and hugs to Seamus too. xx 




From - James Bell
To - Rachel


Hey Rachel, thank you so much for your message it was really nice to read it all the way from India, so keep them coming! I have met so many people that I am getting along with and we are having so much fun despite the heat everyday. I miss you lots and lots and think of you quite a lot when I have a spare moment when we are not busy. How is everything in Reading? I hope you are well and can't wait to hear from you soon, lots of hugs and kisses, love James xxx (ps I am in Echo 3 now). 




From - Sian Hilton
To - Lauren


Hi Lauz and Joany  :) ! Thank you very much for the message, was well due. Hope your foot's getting better mum and Lauren's looking after you! I'm now in ECHO 4, which means I'm doing my Environmental phase first, digging elephant proof trenches and building our own mini village out of bamboo! Everyone's lovely and my tan's coming on nicely - but only on my arms because we have to cover up a lot :( . I'll be sending a postcard when I can. Keep writing on the blog please. I hope you're both ok ( and I hope Heidi's ok!!) ps it's VERY hot, but most days I'm up at 5am haha. Miss you both, Love Siany xxxx




From - Emily Howell
To - Mum, Dad, Charlie and whoever else is reading!


Thanks for your message m&d - can't believe I've been here for a week already! 35 degrees C everyday and I'm nearly used to it .... long drop toilets will take a bit more practice however. Everyone I've met has been lovely so far and have been so busy I haven't had time to think of home much, but having an amazing time so far, particularly today on a nice chilled day off! Am off for 3 weeks tomorrow on the elephant trench phase so you won't hear from me but I'll let you know how it goes when I 'm back at field base. Love Emily x 
p.s. Dad you would flipping love the food.....


From - Kary Star
To - Dommer, etc


p.s. phone won't send texts :(  but CAN receive them! Have sent letters/postcards, please write back soons! Love you xxx p.p.s. To Bob and Brian - meow meow ....hope your bums are ok! 


That's all the messages form India for now we'll be back to let you how each of the groups are getting along soon.......


Guest blogger
Eleri