INBRIEF
A round-up of travel news from Brussels Airlines’ long-haul network
Hotel with a view
Where is it? Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. Tel. +256 (0)414 255 992, www.paraalodge.com What’s the view? The lodge itself sits high above the north side of the Nile, and rooms look over the Murchison Falls. Outdoor types can choose their own view, taking a tent and venturing into the bush.
What to expect? Vibrant African décor combining southern and western architectural influences. Rooms are luxurious, in an understated way.
What you need to know? It’s set in beautifully landscaped gardens and boasts a huge outdoor swimming pool. Ernest Hemingway was a regular visitor here.
Why go there? It’s situated in one of Uganda’s most famous national parks. Once you’ve tired of spotting the big five on safari, you can take a cruise up the Nile.
What can you expect to pay? Rooms cost from €88 per person per night.
Take a hike
This April will see intrepid students from across the UK hitchhiking their way to Morocco to raise money for Link Community Development (LCD).
Past participants’ tales of the generosity they encountered on the way are well documented – one pair was even given a lift by Argentinean footballer Juan Román Riquelme – but less well known is what the money they raise goes towards. The LCD works in partnership with schools throughout Ghana, Malawi, South Africa and Uganda. Although the abolition of school fees in 1997 saw Uganda’s school enrolment increase from 2.9 million to
7.6 million by 2004, in some cases this expansion has meant standards of education have been compromised.
Since 2000, LCD has worked with 180 schools in the Masindi district, a rural area in western Uganda, and last year extended its remit to include the Katakwi district. By providing practical support, such as drawing up a school development plan, acquiring grants to implement this, offering advice on financial management and giving staff on-the-job training, LCD has helped Uganda take significant steps towards achieving its goal of universal primary education.
Flexible friends
For many parents in the Ivory Coast, sending their children to school is an unaffordable luxury; almost one million children miss out on an education. Now Unicef and nongovernmental organisation ARK are working on an initiative that may mean parents no longer have to choose between schooling and having an extra pair of hands to help in the fields. The implementing of more flexible school hours in some farming villages has meant children can now fit their studies around their work. While in the busier months they study less, in the slow season they attend school full-time.
One to watch…
Already stars in their native Senegal, rap group Daara J were enlisted to help promote an anti-corruption campaign in the run-up to the 2000 presidential elections. Since then, they’ve taken their brand of hip-hop – a fusion of dancehall, reggae and jazz – to American shores, and found their sound compared to that of the similarly conscious Native Tongues.
Having spent months at the top of the European world music charts and collaborating on the Africa Plays On… compilation, they can be seen at the Womad Festival taking place in Wiltshire, UK, from 27–29 July.
Look out for… 80 Percent Angel
Working to lift Rwandan spirits is www.80PercentAngel.com, featuring photo galleries, videos, journals and podcasts, which has been put together to showcase good work done by the public-spirited citizens of this once war-torn country. Prospective angels can offer support by subscribing to the site, downloading podcasts from iTunes or making donations to one of the organisations listed online.
*To find out more about Brussels Airlines’ long-haul destinations visit www.bspiritmagazine.com
Text Tabitha Lasley
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