This summer I was part of a group of Explorer Scouts who visited South West Africa. 46 Explorer Scouts from Forth Valley went out to undertake a service project for 3 weeks in Namibia.

We were selected and trained to complete a service project for the community around the Oupundi area in the rural north of Namibia. Our main task was to manually dig a trench 2km long and lay a water pipe to supply 22 homesteads. When it was complete, it supplied water to over 400 people. Other tasks included building a new community hall, repairing a fence to create a safe campsite for the local Scouts and building a 12 piece assault course for the Scouts to enjoy.

During the middle week of the project over 400 Namibian Scouts came to participate in a weekend camp. This allowed them to help us with the project, learn new skills and form new friendships. The tents and equipment we used were left behind for their use. At the end of the trip we went on safari and were lucky enough to see lions, elephants, giraffes and zebras.