Over the school holidays between December 2012 and January 2013, sixteen Year 11 and 12 students were accompanied by Mr Pike, Ms Shepherd and Mr Van Asperen on the biannual Nepal trekking expedition. Students spent over two weeks trekking through the Everest region, exploring the medieval city of Bhaktapur within Kathmandu and visiting historical sites such as the Boudhanath Stupa and Pusupatinath Temple. This year’s trip also contained a large service learning component, including visits to the Fred Hollows Eye Foundation and the Herman Gmeiner Children’s Village School in the Kathmandu Valley. However, most of the service learning component was carried out at the Kushudebu Public Health Mission in Junbesi.

Junbesi is a very remote area, so remote that transport occurs exclusively on foot and by donkey. Despite it being so remote, it is still the closest medical facility for many Nepalese people, providing invaluable services such as immunisations, x-rays, a pharmacy, bone setting, maternity facilities and a small general health ward. As part of the service learning program students managed to raise $3,400 throughout 2012. This was done by selling chocolates, a mufti day and a barbeque. These funds were used to pay for the cement rendering of one of the buildings at the Health Mission and to purchase the paint used by students to paint that same building. Many students attested to the sense of satisfaction that came from being able to get involved personally in the local community, with the overwhelming feedback being that they wished they could have done more.

“ One of the best parts of the trip was the service learning aspect, where we helped to paint and render a health center in the village of Junbesi. Meeting all of the locals and actually getting to be a part of and see firsthand the help that our raised money could give to the locals was a truly rewarding experience.” – Ramon Briant (12/MO)

“Clearly though, the trip was about more than just the service learning. It allowed trekkers to witness and walk through the magnificent Nepalese scenery, enjoy the sensational Nepalese food and interact with the generous Nepalese people. Many enjoyed singing along the trail with them, battling it out in a fierce ad hoc game of ‘Nep-ball’ and playing cards with them. Some of the highlights for the group included visiting the (SOS) school and playing soccer.” — Edmond Cheng (12/FL)

“ Walking through this ancient city, everything is completely new and foreign. There are ancient temples and statues and figures everywhere. Motorbikes and cars drive where people walk, you don’t go 10 seconds without hearing a horn. The people are everywhere and there are animals all over the place too. Especially dogs and chickens. You get the sense that you are really in another world. It was unique, like nothing else, sometimes even intimidating and scary but at the same time exciting and fun. You really feel like an outsider, but it’s okay.” — William Ditmarsch (12/JN)

“ The Nepal Trek was a true feat of human strength. It tested the boys’ strength mentally and physically, pushing everyone to new extremes. As we ascended high into the mountains where the large crows live, the air became thin and brittle like ice, making us gasp like fish out of water. One step felt like 10 when going up-hill. Our bodies ached and were stiff after each day, but it was all worth it at the end of the day, to travel to a place with an ancient culture, which is overflowing and rich.” — Liam Knierim (11/FL)

It was a fantastic experience and we definitely recommend that all boys at least consider going on this trip when it is run again in future years.

Edmond Cheng (12/FL) and Ms Shepherd