The tour, co-ordinated by St Stephen’s School secondary teacher Dale Kelly, had Year 10 students from Duncraig and Carramar working to upgrade sporting and other facilities at the Jehovah Jireh Haven orphanage on South Africa’s Sunshine Coast.
They also visited homeless shelters and townships for an insight into the living conditions of disadvantaged South Africans, played soccer games against local teams and delivered 250 pairs of soccer boots donated by the St Stephen’s School community.
“It was an amazing experience for all of us,” Mr Kelly said. “To be able to give something to the children who have so little was a huge reward.
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READ NOW“Our students showed great maturity and compassion throughout the trip and learned an appreciation of how privileged we truly are in Australia.”
Student Ben Ockwell said the trip helped him to see how some people lived and the hardships they endured.
“It’s changed my outlook on life,” he said.
The groundwork was laid months before as the students learned the basics of paving, tiling and carpentry.
In order to attend the tour, they were set fundraising targets and asked to devise strategies to raise the money required.