The little things
A group of Claremont students travel to Southern Africa to learn that the smallest necessities often bring the greatest rewards
‘The biggest reward was seeing people’s faces light up when we talked to them, especially the children. They loved holding our hands, playing netball with us and even just sitting around in our company.’
These are Year 13 student Ambika Sharma’s reflections on her recent trip to Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland. She and several other Claremont students, accompanied by Mr Maberly and Ms Smith, travelled to the country in Southern Africa in July as part of World Challenge, an organisation that enables ‘transformative travel experiences’ around the world.
The group from Claremont were there to work alongside a Neighbourhood Care Point (NCP), supporting local communities through building projects, landscaping and installing gardens. The aim is to improve access to education, support teacher training and play a small part in breaking the cycle of poverty.
‘One of the biggest highlights from the trip was the community initiative at the NCP,’ says Andrei Simion, also in Year 13. ‘This was really unexpected as I didn’t believe I’d enjoy it as much as I did. Yes, it was a lot of hard manual work, but it was rewarding work. I felt like I accomplished something each and every day I was there. The people at the community were amazing, so friendly and welcoming. Not to mention how incredible the kids were - seeing them so happy at the end of each day.’
Ambika agrees: ‘Working alongside the NCP and having the chance to play with the children, learn their language, watch dance performances and just take in the new environment was very rewarding.’
World Challenge is known for its emphasis on student-led travel and responsible tourism and this trip definitely gave Claremont pupils the chance to step outside their comfort zones into a culture vastly different to their own.
‘One challenge was the lack of facilities there,’ says Andrei. ‘Barely any showers, proper toilets or kitchens.’ Mr Maberly also noted this contrast with what most of us are used to back in the UK: ‘Juxtaposing London living with Eswatini realities, our students saw and hopefully began to understand just what we have and take for granted in the face of what the people we visited simply do not have and, in many cases, cannot even hope to have.’
Ambika recalls a challenge of a different kind when she and the group had the opportunity to explore the local landscape: ‘I had to learn how to control my fears when we were hiking, almost climbing, on a four-day trek. But thanks to Mr Maberly, I was able to push through and enjoy the experience on a whole other level.’ The trek was also one of Andrei’s highlights: ‘It was simply beautiful. A fair bit of challenging hiking, but thanks to our amazing guides it was so enjoyable. I loved it.’
Mr Maberly felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude whilst there: ‘In Eswatini there was a lot of laughter - among the group, with our guides, with the locals we met. So much joy. For me, that was the highlight.’
So what, ultimately, does he think the students will take from the trip? ‘An awakening of sorts - to appreciate what they have, to gain a realisation of their place in the world, to see how experience shapes understanding and to use this as a way to grow.’
That’s certainly corroborated by both Ambika’s and Andrei’s reflections.
‘I’ll take the feeling of being grateful for everything around us, whether it’s big or small,’ Ambika says, ‘as I’ve seen those who don’t even have the little things we need.’
‘The main thing I learned from this trip is that you don’t need a lot to be happy,’ says Andrei. ‘Those kids there barely had anything, but I bet you they’re happier than most people here with nearly everything.’