Te Awamutu College Asian expedition
Te Awamutu College Year 13 students Bonnie Dixon, Eva Walton and Madison Phillips are closer after experiencing Thailand and Cambodia in the World Challenge Leadership Expedition last month.
from left: Zoe McQuillan, Eva Walton, Bonnie Dixon, Libby Haynes, James Crowhurst, Rosie Anderson, Ashlee Bell, Maddy Lile, Madison Phillips, Brian Winter, Bernard Oliver, Lilah Earwaker and Kaylee Grinter pictured with children at Chambok Sor Primary School.
The trio were part of a dozen Te Awamutu students on the trip. All had different levels of travel experience.
It was Bonnie’s first time out of New Zealand, Eva was born overseas and had previously travelled to several countries, Madison had never been on a plane before.
“I didn’t initially tell my parents about it, because I thought it sounded terrifying. But eventually, they somehow came upon the information and signed me up,” Bonnie said.
“It’s just so eye opening, because of the absolute culture difference to what we have here in New Zealand.
Madison Phillips and Bernard Oliver painting with some of the children at Chambok Sor Primary School.
“One of my favourite parts was visiting Angkor Wat, a large Cambodian temple, getting up at 4.15am, driving down there and seeing the sunrise. Walking up through the dark and seeing this giant black [shadow] looming. It was amazing.”
As well as seeing the countryside, the group spent several days immersed in a rural Cambodian village painting a block at Chambok Sor Primary School.
Madison had always wanted to go overseas and thought it would be a good opportunity to help others while seeing the world.
“I loved the community work. I loved how welcoming the community was and how much they cared for us,” Madison said. “They’d bring us out tons of food and always made sure we were full. They were just so grateful.
“It’s so rewarding to help people. It’s probably one of the best experiences you’ll ever get. We painted the school and you could see the transformation, before and after.”
Bernard Oliver and Emaani Mullins painting.
Eva was excited to travel again and certainly wasn’t disappointed – other than having to shower with buckets of water at times.
“I love seeing other cultures. I know there’s so much more out in the world and all the skills that World Challenge offer, the experiences, it really appealed to me,” Eva said.
“You could see the big difference it made in the kids’ lives and they’re so thankful for it. It’s really cool to look back on that you did that.
“There were no laptops in classrooms, not even windows, it’s just open air. There’s a fan, no air conditioning and just a blackboard. It makes you thankful and it makes you appreciate what we’ve got here.”
from left: Zoe McQuillan, Eva Walton, Bonnie Dixon, Libby Haynes, James Crowhurst, Rosie Anderson, Ashlee Bell, Maddy Lile, Madison Phillips, Brian Winter, Bernard Oliver, Lilah Earwaker and Kaylee Grinter pictured with children at Chambok Sor Primary School.
Now they can count to 20 in Khmer and they’ve put many lessons into action in their everyday lives.
“At the end of the initiative, we got given scarves by the school. It felt like a full circle moment and all the kids were so lovely,” Eva said.
“We’d be painting and the kids were allowed in. They’d be dipping paint brushes in, painting their desks, painting each other.
“Then they would make us count to 20. They would follow us around and go ‘muoy (one), muoy, pii (two), pii’ and we had to repeat it.”
“I’m a lot more organised now. World Challenge teaches you the importance of that. I’ve noticed starting back at school, I’ve been prioritising my homework, which has never happened.”
A photo with the staff of the school.
Bonnie has been reading more. The trip “reignited” her love of books.
“We had no phones on the trip so I brought books. I’ve been reading a lot more now that we’ve got back,” Bonnie said.
“Also, the gratefulness side of it – even just water – not having to purify the water you drink, being able to get it out of a tap and being able to rinse my toothbrush in the sink is fantastic.”
Madison said she has spent less time on technology. She’s become more thankful for what she has.
from left: Madison Phillips, Bernard Oliver, Eva Walton, Bonnie Dixon, Kaylee Grinter, Vicky Bradshaw (Expedition Leader), Maddy Lile, Libby Haynes, Emaani Mullins, Brian Winter, Rosie Anderson, James Crowhurst, Lilah Earwaker, Ashlee Bell and Zoe McQuillan enjoy a historic experience.
“It’s eye-opening how much time we actually spend on our phones and our computers. I’ve cut back on that a lot and spent more time with family,” Madison said.
But one of the best experiences they’ve brought back, is closer friendships and better understandings of each other.
Their shared experiences are memories they will hold close forever.
“It’s definitely brought us together,” Eva said.
“[Bonnie and I have] been friends since Year 9 and [Madison and I have] been friends since Year 11.
“I feel closer to everyone now.”
Back row – from left: Zoe McQuillan, Bonnie Dixon, Eva Walton, Maddy Lile, Madison Phillips, Vicky Bradshaw (Expedition Leader), Kaylee Grinter, Brian Winter, Travis (Guide), Ashlee Bell and Bernard Oliver. Front row: James Crowhurst, Libby Haynes, Rosie Anderson and Lilah Earwaker.
