This leadership experience was designed by World Challenge and was all about shaping good leaders. This is primarily done through the learning process of the pupils being in charge of everything, from co-ordinating the itinerary and travel to securing accommodation, communicating with locals, doing safety and security checks, dealing with the entire trip’s budget in US dollars, exchanging currency and making all decisions themselves, with the staff being there to guide, advise and step in if necessary as a last resort
Having dealt with airports in Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Bangkok and then Chiang Mai, the first phase of the trip involved building stairs up the side of a hill and building extensions to a church in a remote village in northern Thailand. This slow process took the better part of four days while battling ruthless mosquitoes, humidity and 30-something degree heat. It was also the most rewarding phase of the trip as learners interacted with the locals, communicated with people who could not speak the same language, and gained understanding into their way of life.
The second phase of the trip was a jungle experience in the Khao Yai National Park, with elephants, Gibbon monkeys, porcupines and deer all visiting the camping spot. The pupils enjoyed some typical jungle hikes in very wet vegetation, dealing with leeches along the way and swam in a waterfall.
To end off, the team decided to take a trip to the nearest island for some rest and relaxation.
After battling Bangkok’s city traffic and a little sea-sickness, they arrived on Ko Samet for two days of Thai massages on the beach, snorkelling, dancing in the rain, and a laid back island vibe – the perfect way to relax at the end of an expedition.
“A very big thank you to World Challenge, Tamin, James, Mrs Steenkamp and to the learners’ parents. The expedition gave the learners memories to treasure for a lifetime,” said Bryanston High School’s Liz Edwards.
