WORLD CHALLENGE 2015

World Challenge are an organisation that provide challenging expeditions to third world countries allowing young people to experience other cultures and teaching them life skills such as organisation, budgeting and team work. In July/August 2015 I completed a World Challenge to Madagascar with 31 other students. We split into 2 teams of 16 and organised our own expedition from the locations to the project as well as the transport and money situations. My expedition was 1 month long meaning we faced other challenges like home sickness. Leaving my family for a month with no communication was one of the hardest things I have done but the experience was worth it.

The first week of our expedition revolved around a project with the local people. Our project was with an orphanage in the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo, called Akany Avoko. It is a church funded orphanage for young people up to 18 years. There were people of all ages and they all had the biggest smiles that I have ever seen. There were some horrific stories to these childrens lives of abuse and poverty however, when they saw us coming up the drive way they were so excited. We took them gifts but it was us they were more interested in. This was breathtaking to see. People who have nothing but were so happy that they had someone to play with and talk to. As well as playing with the children we built a staircase for them leading to the boy's dorms that was much safer than the mud stairs that were already there. It was so rewarding to see something physical that we had done to help them especially after the long hours working in 30 degree heat. You didn't complain at all though because this was their everyday life. It made you more grateful for the opportunity to witness that lifestyle.

After the trip to the orphanage everyone was so excited to see what else Madagascar had to offer. We visited many national parks and completed treks which was a great experience. It's beauty was unlike anything I had ever seen and the lemurs were incredible. Such beautiful animals. It was great to see the pride the people took in their environment and its natural beauty. As part of this phase we participated in a 5 day mountain climb up Pic Boby, Madagascar's highest accessible point. This was probably the most challenging part of the trip physically and mentally. I will never forget those 5 hours of stairs surrounded by trees. I had never done anything like that before, not even close, so I underestimated the mental strength it would take to climb. After some tears and hard trekking all 16 of us made it to the top. We were so proud of ourselve. An unforgettable achievement.

Before we knew it the month was over. Saying goodbye to the people I had lived with for a whole month was extremely hard. We had formed a strong bond that was unbreakable. That was definitely one of the hardest parts of the trip however, it was an experience I will never forget and I am extremely grateful for it.

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