An unforgettable trip to India for 13 students

 Last month, 13 of our Year 11-13 students returned home inspired after a ten-day expedition across South India, as part of this year’s Global Perspectives Trip. Our global service programme includes trips to Nepal, India and very soon, Kenya, for our older students to participate in and contribute to fundraising, development, and community initiatives as well as experience different cultures.

This ten-day excursion included visits to fishing villages, local markets, temples, tea estates, spice plantations, a jungle trail and one of India’s 27 tiger reserves, Periyar at Thekaddy. The trip also included a five day stay at the Goodwill Children’s Home in Thandigudi. The students took with them nearly 400kg of donations for the children, having been inundated with donations of books, toys, stationery, clothing and knitted hats from the Westonbirt School community. During the five days, a strong bond was made between the young children at the Home and our students – it was tough for both sides to say goodbye.

Scarlett Allen, Year 13 student, said:

‘The trip to India was an incredible experience to be a part of. We gained a cultural understanding of a country so different to our own, and we were able to do this by visiting incredible buildings and other places. Although this trip was to benefit the children at Goodwill, the visit taught us an endless amount as well. Being part of a partnership through the school is an incredible opportunity and I hope it is something that Westonbirt continues for years to come.’

The students have come back from this global service trip with so many things – new life experiences, an appreciation of another culture, and a better understanding of some of the challenges faced by the children at Goodwill. They’ve also returned with a renewed determination to keep fundraising for this exceptional institution.