The Nepal Reflection

Usually my CAS reflections are split into parts as I complete the activity, but the Nepal trip was so huge I’ve decided to put everything into one reflection.

When we arrived in Kathmandu on April 5, we spent a couple of days just exploring the city, and the markets. The city of Kathmandu is simply astonishing – the huge urban plight mixed with the refreshing Nepalese culture creates a bittersweet environment to be in.

The first challenge of the trip, after a breathtaking flight to Lukla (at 2,860m) was a day hike (8 hours) to Phakding, the first stop of our trip. This first hike was relatively easy, as much of it was downhill (Phakding is lower down than Lukla), although it was still challenging to walk such a long distance (over 20km) in one day.

Along the way there were many Nepalese and Tibetan monuments that provided fascinating scenery for us as we walked.

What became clear on this first day of hiking was the spread of ability in our group – I tended to stick toward the back, walking at a leisurely pace, while others moved faster. I did find the walk challenging, but the worst was to come. Nonetheless, I was really enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the Khumbu region.

Over the next few days we trekked from Phaking, through to Namche Bazaar, over to Tengboche and down to Phortse. The hikes became more and more challenging as the days wore on and there were many points where I felt like giving up – it’s hard to describe it without being there, but the blazing heat, combined with the lack of oxygen at the high altitude made the hikes challenging and frustrating for me, especially considering my relative lack of fitness.

On a positive note, I began to bond with some students I never had before as we trekked on; students who I am now great friends with, such as Dylan and Tim, below:

As we climbed higher and higher, I noticed that the effects of altitude had not really affected me all that much; and I was grateful, as some of my fellow students were affected very badly (requiring evacuation). As the days wore on I found the hiking had become easier, as my body adjusted to the altitude, and as we made our way back down from our highest point, my body felt amazing, as if it were truly firing on all cylinders. My favourite photo of the whole trek was taken on our last day of trekking, seen below:

This photograph is of me in front of Mount Everest, the highest point in the world. I felt as if I had climbed it – the feeling when I ended the trek, near here, was an intense explosion of emotion – a triumphant bellow and a warm feeling throughout. The trek was one of the most challenging experiences of my life – but also one of the most rewarding I think I will ever experience. I learnt things about me I never knew (I had no idea I would finish this!), developed new skills, worked with others and had fun doing so.

The trip was not over however! After our trek we returned to Kathmandu to complete the service aspect of our trip, which was a day of work at the Umbrella Orphanage in Kathmandu. The Orphanage hosts children from all over Nepal, and is run and funded completely by volunteers.

At the orphanage I teamed with other people in the group to paint on blank walls for the children, with the English alphabet and some games for them. It was a rewarding – if scary experience, I certainly have NO CLUE what to do with a paintbrush! – nonetheless the kids were really happy with the paintings we did and were exploring them as we left.

After a few more days in Kathmandu, we departed for home on April 19th and arrived in New Zealand 2 days later. It had been an absolutely life changing trip for me – words can’t really describe the amazing time I had. It let me explore myself, while helping others and adding my little bit to the world.

This activity counted for Action and Service, and encompassed learning criteria a, b, d, e, f, g, and h.

Liaison Reflection #12

I have just returned from the opening of the Mangere Refugee Centre and am incredibly proud of my Year 11 students. Today we presented the sports equipment to the refugee centre, and it was a great day.

Akshay gave a speech on behalf of the council – a very well thought-out and emotionally involved speech that I found was beautifully delivered and very well spoken. Akshay in particular seems to have matured so much during this year of leading the council.

After some more presentations the sports equipment was presented – and the refugee kids absolutely went for it – and in minutes we were all playing games with the kids and having an absolutely wonderful time – see the videos below.

Watching the kids play with the sports equipment was a fitting end to my involvement as a Senior Liaison prefect – it’s been a wonderful journey, and I’ve learnt a lot about leading and helping groups of students who are quite a bit younger than me, and how to relate to them and help them find their feet in senior school leadership positions. The group has consistently made me extremely proud, and their efforts with the sports equipment are a tribute to their dedication.

This commitment has not been that – it has been an absolute joy and an important journey for me and my students. This activity counted for Creativity and Service, and encompassed learning outcomes a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and h.

Prefect Project Reflection #8

Today was the opening of the Mangere Refugee Centre, and what a great day it was!

The morning began with myself working with the Year 11s to package up all the sports equipment to give to the centre. This was great fun as we assembled the equipment in a nice shiny trolley to gift to them. We also placed a large red ribbon over the boundaries of our area, so that it could be opened formally.

Before the centre was opened and the equipment revealed, however, there was a small ceremony where there were a number of speeches (from Mr Kelly, the head prefects, etc) and we performed our item, before the sports equipment was unveiled and the centre was opened.

Once the centre was opened, we spent some time playing with the children, who ripped into the sports equipment like it was Christmas! It was great to see the kids react so happily to the equipment, and it made all our work seem worthwhile. It was a great to the project. The prefect project this year has taught me the importance of teamwork, commitment and understanding, and has given me a new perspective on the world; that of a refugee. Our efforts to make refugees feel a little bit more welcome in our country was a very valuable experience indeed.

This activity encompassed learning outcomes b, d, e, f, g, and h.

Prefect Project Reflection #7

Before we open the centre, a small group of us prefects decided to perform a small cultural piece at the opening of the centre. This piece is Crowded House’s “Always take the weather with you”, performed on the ukelele by Michael and Clive, and sung by myself, Georgia, Lucy and Adam. We met up last night at Lucy’s for a quick practice, and it was great fun to sing with some people I absolutely NEVER thought I would sing with!

This post encompasses learning outcomes b, c, d, and e.

Prefect Project Reflection #6

Today was our last day of working out at Mangere. We assembled the benches and installed the fountain.

A few of us were up at school early (~6.30am) to lift the giant mosaic fountain ball onto the truck for it to be transported out to Mangere. This was tough! The ball weighs about 80kg, and so it took a few of us to get it onto the truck. Once it was on, we followed the truck out. We lifted the ball off the truck, installed the fountain, and built the benches. It was a wonderful way to end the project, and I realised how much I would miss working with this years prefects. It’s been great fun, and a great challenge, and completing this project has been our crowning achievement.

Next week, we open the centre!

This post encompasses learning outcomes b, d and h.

Prefect Project Reflection #5

I haven’t been out to the centre in a few days; but returning today was easier than I thought. I drove out with Clive to Mangere. Today we had to lay the actual concrete over the fountain and smooth it out. This was messy and difficult work – and it looks like I’m not really co-ordinated enough for it. I therefore decided to focus more on planting, as I found it to be more to my strengths! The problem with the soil at the center is that it is a fine layer of dirt over years of broken foundations, glass, and concrete. As such, I spent a lot of time destroying concrete chunks with my shovel!

Today we did manage to finish the planting for the center, and with the concreting complete, we’re pretty much there! The next task is to assemble the benches and put them in, and then install the fountain.

This post encompasses learning criteria b, d and h.

Prefect Project Reflection #4

Today’s task was to dig a trench for the electrical ducting to run the fountain that we’re installing. This took most of the morning and was considerably harder than first thought!

About halfway through the day, Hussain, one of the refugees at the center, who had been hanging around and chatting to us while we worked, asked if he could help. He spent the rest of the day with us, planting and digging the trenches. It was great fun to talk with him, and work with him, and a whole new experience for me. The day was really positive as we got a lot done (despite having a small group), and we’re now getting to the closing stages of the project!

This post encompasses learning criteria b, d, and h.

Prefect Project Reflection #3

Today, after a day’s rest, I was back out at the refugee centre and continuing to help landscape our area. Today’s job, once the ‘circle’ for the fountain had been cut out, was to spread the ‘Gap 40′ concrete material over the area, which wasn’t too hard and was great fun.

Tomorrow will be much harder, however; as we have to dig a deep trench to lay some cabling and also do some planting – I look forward to it!

This post encompasses learning criteria b, d, and h.

Prefect Project Reflection #2

Today we started our project at the Refugee Centre. Our first task was to dig out some trenches to plant trees and plants in, which was hard work! However the rain was coming down so we didn’t get too hot and we had the right gear. Digging a trench is certainly harder than I first thought, as we had to dig to quite a depth to reach the good soil.

After a quick lunch break we started breaking up the concrete path that was there so we could lay our new concrete for the fountain. While it was hard work I found it great working with Stefan, who smashed the concrete while I lifted it up with the warratah tool. This took up most of the afternoon, and so afterwards, we finished for the day and left.

The first day was a success – hard work and very sore – but it felt good to be working for other people and doing some good old ‘elbow-grease’ style work.

This post encompasses learning criteria b, d and h.

Prefect Project Reflection #1

Although the prefect project has been in planning since the start of this year, I was not one of the people in charge of organising it; so I have not undertaken any work on it until now.

Our project this year is the Mangere Refugee centre, New Zealand’s main centre of intake for international refugees. Built in the 1920s, much of the site is in need of refurbishment. The main outdoors area is run down and featureless, so our project this year as prefects is to landscape this area and make it more inviting for the refugees.

My task is to be the “muscle” – to work with the other prefects and actually ‘do’ the project. We start tomorrow.

This activity will count for action and service, and encompasses the learning criteria b, d, e, f and h.