So it’s just over three weeks since our project finished and we were all either making our way home or enjoying onward travel. We thought it would be an ideal time to tell you what we have been up to in the UK since our return, we have all been busy bees!

Francesca

Since I have been back I had a relaxing spa day, been back at work and enjoyed a rib ride to Les Echrehos. This is like a speed boat and following this I had a picnic and swim.

One of the best things about GOLD for me was the response that we got from the girls when we walked into camp.

Holly

Since being back, probably the most noteworthy thing I’ve done is my job interviews. They happened pretty much straight off the plane and what a crazy week that turned out to be. I have recently found out that I was successful and got them 🎉🎉 (yay!)

My favourite moment of GOLD… crikey. What to choose, there is so much. Probably if I’m just saying one, then the stream of clapping, and singing/dancing/chants/joy that we met at all our trainings was one of my favourite GOLD times. Although I could mention many others!

Take a look at Holly showing her love for the South West in her photo!

Kat

I had a couple of days back in the UK before heading back to work which were mostly spent sleeping to catch up from the overnight flight and seeing friends and family. I’ve loved telling everyone my stories and relieving memories of Rwanda, everyone has been so interested in hearing about the project and country. As well as lots of catching up I’ve had my hair cut short which is quite a change for me.

I have so many ‘favourite GOLD memories’ an certainly too many to mention. The thing that sticks with me the most was most definitly arriving at camp (just as Francesca said!) We had been on a very bumpy journey from Kigali and could hear this ever iincreasing noise of girls singing and clapping, we got out of the car and met our GOLD team friends from Rwanda and went into the camp’s closing ceremony. The sound was amazing and overwhelming at the same time, everyone was so happy and you really could see that they loved being there!

Hannah

Since returning home I have completed my Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition, moved into a new house, started the new uni year and bought a pet fish 🐠

My fave GOLD moment was all the times we sat in the bus trying to learn our favourite song in Kinyarwanda with the Rwandan GOLD team and, even better, the fact that we still remember it now!

Alice

I haven’t done anything that exciting since I got back other than go to work. But, I did go to a birthday party, and I’ve been to a comedy club too.

Not sure how I choose a best moment of GOLD but my favourite training moment was probably when we got the girls to teach back to us how to do the recovery position and CPR and they completely nailed it! 💪🏻

Sophie

I’ve only been back in the UK for just over a week! After project ended I flew to Tanzania and went on safari followed by a week relaxing by the pool and beach in Zanzibar. I also started my new job a few days ago so it has been a bit full on since I’ve been back.

The best GOLD moment for me was spending time with the nursery children from the AGR, their faces were so excited when we got the parachute out!

I think it is safe to say that we all had an amazing project and have truly made memories to last a lifetime.

Don’t forget, we still have debrief to go in November where we meet up with three other GOLD teams to evaluate the project and share what we have done. There may even be a blog post to share about that…. keep an eye out!

Thank you for following our journey whilst we were away, it’s been so lovely to hear people talking about the blog and having an idea of what we have been up to.

GOLD love.

💛🌍🗺🌍💛