Tambuki experience

The 2day Tambuki tour was a great experience and very good for the learning. The reason for the tour is to improve our guiding skills and put our theoretical knowledge into practical training.

On Tuesday 23March we started our tour from the boys house. Each one of the students had a chance to lead the tour and present the people with their knowledge. It was a very long walk but it was really fun. I learned about new tree types, allot about spoor, different soils and what grows there. We arrived at camp and just relaxed for a while then we set out to the field to learn more about that side of the bush. The evening wasn't very busy, we just talked about what we have learned.

On Wednesday we stood up very early, some of us made fire for some coffee. We went on a hiking expedition to a small rocky mountain. On our way there we learned some interesting stuff about spiders, fungi and algi. When we arrived there we discovered that it is a cultural site and we could see that by the marks on the rocks that showed they have sharpened other rocks, we also found small peaces of bone that showed that the people who lived there has slaughtered animals there and we also found different rock tipes. On our way back we en counted a lot of spiders. That evening we did a bit of night skies and I learned more about stars.

On Thursday we were very organized when we stood up, everybody had there task to do, to make everything go smoothly. We then cleaned the place and started walking back. I was assessed on the walk back and I think that I really did well. I am ready to start my guiding carrier.

MEET THE MANAGEMENT

On Wednesday 17March we had a meet the management function. This consisted of us the students organising a function where we will meet all the top management and they get to meet all the students. It was a very well organized function and there went a lot of planning into it.

The hotel and lodge students made all the food for the function and us nature conservation students helped with decorating and started the fires. We welcomed all the guests and introduced our self to everyone.All our top management was given a chance to introduce them self's and say a few words. We had a slide show about what we have done during the past 2 months at sondela. We also had an slide show of each person with a foto, your favourite quote, what we are studying and what we have learned so far at sondela. We had a wonderful meal and then had to do our song and dance that we prepared. After that, everyone socialized. After everything was finished all the students helped to clean up.

The evening was a great success!

My off weekend

On my off weekend I was given the opportunity to work on another farm called Korro-korro. I helped with controlling problem animals. I sharpened up my bar tending skills, did fence checks and made sure the animals in the camp is OK. I followed a injured animal to make sure that the animal is going to be OK. On Saturday I had to run the farm because the farmer had to go somewhere for the day. I started in the morning opening the gate, then showed all the workers what they should do. I ran the bar and did guest relations. At night I had to braai for the clients and keep them happy.

I really learned a lot .

Fire fighting!!!!!!

On Tuesday 2 February I have started with my fire fighting course.

I firstly did some of the legal aspects of fire fighting. I then went through to the store room were all the fire fighting equipment and what its use is was explained to me. I have also learned why we have to wear the equipment. We then did a few fire drills were everyone was given a position what they are suppose to do in the fire. I was in front with the nozzle doing the spraying of the fires. I realised how fast everything happens and that you have to work in a team and help each other. You also have to be very organized. After lunch time I learned the rest of the legal aspects of fire fighting.

Although I have done fire fighting on my uncles farm, I have learned very much during the course of fire fighting at sondela.