Feedback

Katherine

The trip feels like so long ago! However it was one of the best experiences ever. The trekking was hard due to the heat but was absolutely worth it, with amazing views at the end and a real sense of achievement once you had completed it. During the trekking phase we gained an insight into the Massai culture through visiting a massai village, where we tried their food and learned about their traditions which differs so massively to ours.

Our project involved painting the classrooms of a local primary school, so we had to source and buy the materials from the local market. Whilst we were at the primary school we got to know many of the students by playing games and helping to teach them bits of English which was a real highlight. Throughout the trip we experienced the Tanzanian culture through some amazing food and exciting markets where we spoke to the locals to buy our food for the day.

The grant you gave me helped massively to raise the funds for the expedition, which turned out to be a really worth while experience I will never forget.  Thank you .

Lucy

My trip to Tanzania with World Challenge in the summer of 2018, was the best experience of my life. Our group was out there for just over three weeks, we did so many things including treks, safari, project and a break by the beach. Our project was to go to a primary school near the base of Kilimanjaro and help with maintenance, our group was specifically tasked with the job of painting the classrooms and the exterior walls of the school. That’s not all we were able to do though, as we were given the opportunity to talk with the children, join in on their games and even help them practice their English. It was an amazing opportunity to give back to the community. This was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.

The trip wasn’t without its low points however, on our second trip myself and a few of the other girls became quite ill, it was really hard as the trekking was physically draining already, and the climate was particularly hot. However, this taught me that I am a lot better at persevering then I thought I was as I continued throughout the trek only taking one day to rest and then climbing a small mountain the next. It was amazing to see how different it was there, the landscape, the smells, the food, and particularly the way of life. This was made especially clear on our trek with the Masai tribe, the different culture came as such a shock to me and some of the things I have learned I will never forget.

Whilst it was incredible and educating, it was also really hard to see some of the poverty and difficulties that the local people faced. It gave me a real sense of gratitude for everything I have been fortunate enough to be graced with, and has given me more appreciation for the smallest things. I think I can speak for our whole group by saying it was a once in a life time experience I will never forget and will always appreciate.

And it would have been extremely hard to get there if it weren’t for Barton and Dunstall Key Trust for the extremely generous grant, I am forever grateful.

Amber

Firstly, I would like to thank Barton and Dunstall Key Trust and all the Trustees for supporting me and giving me this wonderful opportunity to expand my knowledge of the World outside of Europe.

Prior to the visit, I had set myself some targets...
- Understand the different culture of the people on another continent
- Explore a place that had a very different climate
- Challenge myself to be in a new situation without being able to rely on my elders
- Manage change
- Work as a team with strangers
- Work with my travel companion
- See if this new environment could give me any insights into what career path to follow
- Make new global friends
- Learn how to plan and prepare events
- Make a positive contribution to the children and young adults at the orphanage

So, on 15th July we set off to Nepal. This was a flight from Birmingham to Nepal via Doha. Unfortunately, we suffered a flight delay out of Birmingham & missed our connecting flight in Doha. This meant we caught the next available flight. When we arrived in Kathmandu, we received a warm welcome from Karma and her brother, who give us white scarves. We then had an eight-hour trip in a minibus along dangerous, windy roads - through dusty Kathmandu all the way to Pokhara, where the air was much cleaner. Along the way there were many beautiful sites and we stopped off for lunch at a restaurant that overlooked a river.

Finally, we’d arrived. We stayed in Yeshi’s guest house where many monks were also staying as they were in a period of reflection and prayer. It was night by the time we’d arrived so Becky and I when straight to sleep as we’d been travelling for nearly 20 hours.

While we were there, we visited the school almost every day. We taught the older children English, which they were surprisingly good at and played games with the younger children. The Nursery children loved to play with balloons and bubbles. They also knew many nursery rhymes. We taught some simple songs on a keyboard that the school already had. Towards the end of the 2 weeks we headed into Pokhara town to buy educational games for the children. We were so happy we’d raised enough to purchase a slide for the nursery.

Despite all the trauma the children had been through, I’ve never seen a happier bunch. They were all so appreciative of what they had... which wasn’t much. Their manners were amazing and they never wasted a thing. It was lovely to hear that the children’s support didn’t stop at the age of 18 - they are supported until they’re independent and are employed. They’ve taught me how to make the most of what I have and to have a much more positive outlook on life .

Again, thank you for the opportunity. It wouldn’t have been possible without your support. 

Rebecca

We raised over 6,000 pounds for the Nagajuna Orphanage in Pokhara.

The two weeks flew by and I enjoyed every moment that I spent with the wonderful Nagajuna family. The children were the happiest, kindest and most polite children I’ve met.

What I noticed about the Nagajuna school is that it is more than just a school for many of the children, it’s their home, their education and their family all in one. The teachers who work at the school are more than just teachers, they show the children what is right and wrong, and support the children through sad times and put them to bed at night much like a parent would do for their child. Those are not things that your average teacher would do and are things that we all take for granted.   The best part about the visit was being able to buy the children some new things that they would never usually have been able to have and seeing their faces as they received these. They were so happy to receive their lovely play slide, new books, stationary, sanitary products and kitchen utensils.

Another thing that shocked me was that the girls didn’t have things like sanitary products which seem like a necessity to us however they are seen as a luxury by the older girls at Nagajuna so it was so nice to able to give them something that, in my opinion, is so important for young girls to have. I know when I was growing up I always had my mum there to talk about girly things however, some of the older girls had sadly not had that luxury so I wanted to share with them my knowledge about puberty and growing up which really encouraged them to talk to one another about things rather than be embarrassed or worried alone. We also made a poster with the information we had shared to put in the girls’ room. I enjoyed teaching the young ones new nursery rhymes and some basic maths and English which they loved.

I want to thank Barton and Dunstall key trust for making it possible for me to go to the Nagajuna Orphanage. Your help has meant that every penny of the money we raised for the children has gone directly to the orphanage to aid their development. I have attached some images for you to have a look at.

Thank you very much.

Bronte

I had previously emailed when receiving my grant to South Korea with the Foofball 4 Peace Charity in 2016. I would like to give you a little update.

After a busy, tet fansastic 4 years at the University of Brighton I have manged to secure myself a job as a full-time Physial Edication Teacher. I would like to thank you all again for the grant which made my trip possible and played a big factor in developing my leadership skills and was certainly an interesting talking point at interviews.

I have attached some pictures from my trip, and an insight into the work that I have been doing with the F4P over the last 4 years. Hopefully the reconcilliation between North and South Korea, along with the rest of the world will continue the way it has been. .