Student Stories
Bill's Story
Brittany's Story
Taela's Story
Zambia changed and impacted on me in more ways than I can describe. I had my own ideas as to what I might experience in Zambia, as I had talked to a few friends who had previously gone but looking back it has been one of the most rewarding, impacting and fun experiences of my life. We were able to get a glimpse of those living in the poorest parts of the world, who have nothing in the way of education, money and luxury. However, Zambians were the happiest and most friendly people I have ever met. One day, I hope God will lead me back to Zambia or another third world country where I can help those in need and use the resources God has blessed me with for their benefit.
Levi Roslyn
Imagine a school were students graduate with knowledge of the real social issue of poverty; having been made aware of this issue and perhaps having made a significant difference.
I, together with other students and staff from Swan Christian College were very privileged to contribute and give our views at a Social Justice in Education Forum. We were sitting around the table with seven representatives from organisations such as Compassion, World Vision, YWAM, TEAR, Scripture Union and EPYC (Empowering Peacemakers in your Community).
As a school, Swan Christian College offers some amazing opportunities to make an impact. I attended the Thailand Mission Awareness Trip 2008 with 13 students from year 11 and 12 plus three teachers. The trip, for me personally, was strongly confronting. We were based at an orphanage called Seeds of Love where we helped practically by painting and gardening. We also helped with the leprosy feeding program. This taught me to be grateful for EVERYTHING I have; things like having two eyes and four limbs, ten fingers and two feet. This experience knocked me to my knees before my heavenly father. I was then, and still am, so grateful.
The next emotional experience came when we visited the government orphanage. I held a one year old little boy, an orphan, and I felt the way he soaked up the love. He was in a room full of about 20 cots. There were only two carers and it seemed the babies were given no love; the only
attention they received was when it was feeding or changing time. We as a team were all extremely moved. The Thailand Mission Trip was more than a visit to another country; it was an experience that set my heart on fire with love for people and passion for social justice.
In 2008 Swan Christian College also ran a second mission trip to Zambia, Africa. The 15 students and four teachers who attended visited a compound where 400 street kids and orphans were living in what we would call a ‘shanty town’. But by far the most shocking, heartbreaking fact was that these people only received one meal a week! Fighting and shoving, parents pushed their children in front of others in the hope that their own children received food. The team helped with this feeding program; however there was not enough food for all the children and the team ended up giving out bread. The children were so desperate and starving they ended up pushing Mr Hockley (our team leader) to the ground in pursuit of the loaf of bread in his hand. The team felt a strong sense of shock towards this experience; shock combined with confusion, not being able to comprehend, let alone understand this injustice. Why was it that we Australians have SO much and these children have absolutely nothing? Yet we all live on the same planet. We are all equal. We were both born with nothing, so what happened?
Going on a mission trip and seeing the poverty first hand suddenly makes it all real. Social injustice is suddenly not something we think about when an ad comes on TV or when someone asks for sponsorship because they are doing the 40 Hour Famine.
As a Christian, I believe that we as the human race were/are created equally. So I am not better because I have been blessed with riches. But instead I am called to do something! To give; to help! This is the attitude we need if we as the richer culture are ever going to actually help the situation. We need to give of the wealth and blessings we have received. It is that same attitude that these mission trips have created in us. How amazing to see teenagers passionate about conquering social justice issues.
I personally am extremely privileged to be part of a school where so much is happening, where I have such great opportunities to make a difference and see changes for the better. Gaining these experiences and this knowledge of the social justice issue has definitely shaped my future. I plan to study and become a nurse, mainly because with this career the opportunities to help others, especially overseas, are endless. In the future I believe giving and helping when and where I can is so important. I can make a change, even though I am only one person.
Bec Peters
Zambia was really different to what I had expected. After seeing footage of other trips, I thought I had a good idea of what to expect but when I was actually there it was a whole different story. Some of the main things that impacted me from the trip was not the poverty that they live in, as this was something that I had been expecting. Instead, I was struck by the amazing generosity and faith of the Zambians: for people with such little, they had the biggest hearts and the deepest and most extensive faith in God that I have ever witnessed. Zambia really opened my eyes to what was really important in life, things like the love and affection that we take for granted in Australia and it is an experience that I wouldn’t change for the world. Through being in Zambia and helping with the beginnings of the school in Kantalomba, I have gained knowledge and friendships that I will keep forever. The trip was one of the best things I have done in my life and it is something that will impact on me forever.
Kelbie Stanbrook
When I first signed up for the 2009 Zambia mission trip, I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into, although the thought of going to Africa was good enough for me. I was finally going to embark on an adventure without my parents but as the trip drew closer and closer the nerves began to kick in. It wasn’t until we arrived at MMM did I want to cry. I was away from the home I loved and all my friends and I wasn’t sure who to turn to, but as the days went by I gradually adapted to my new surroundings. As each day went on I made new friends, I got addicted to speed (the game of course) and I couldn’t stop saying cool beans.
But the one thing that challenged me the most was realizing how much I had changed. You see ever since I was little, my Dad had either been away in the army or travelled interstate/overseas with work. This year when I changed schools, I found it difficult while my dad was away several weeks at a time. It got to the point where I had enough and refused to talk with my dad. Even though it wasn’t his fault, I blamed him for being away, but thankfully for me by going to Zambia all that changed.
It was when the team and I visited Kantalomba and interviewed the guardians for the children who would be sponsored back at home, God made me realize that my actions towards my Dad had been hurtful and unfair. While I was visiting these children without their fathers, it made me appreciate my dad so much more. It wasn’t until then did I realize how fortunate I am to have a Dad in my life. I realize now how grateful I am for my dad to go out and make so many personal sacrifices in order for my family to live the way we do. Since being home my relationship with my dad is different but in a good way and I now treasure each moment I share with not only him but my Mum as well.
Overall, by going to Zambia I experienced a whole new way of life. During my stay there I learnt so many new things about myself which I could apply at home. My mission trip to Zambia healed my relationship with my Dad and also brought me closer to God. I like to thank my parents for their support and if I could do the Zambia mission trip again, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Taylor Drew
Zambia was incredible! No words can truly describe the experiences that we had whilst over there. We were involved in a variety of activities and each of them had a different impact on my life. Apart from the beautiful scenery, the first thing I noticed when I got over to Zambia was how friendly and loving the people there were. It was like the complete opposite to Australia. By just driving down the street we got waves from everyone. They all seemed so happy as well. Even though they had barely anything, they were still content with the way they were living. When I got over there I really had to ask myself, how can they be so happy? But I soon found out that they live in a completely different world to us. We are so focussed on getting the best material possessions, but they are just trying to get the basics. Now I couldn’t work out how they could all be so happy, with so little. And the answer was love and faith. They have such a strong love for each other, and this is far more important than any material possessions. They also have a massive faith which I got to see more of as the trip progressed.
Building the school in Kantaloomba was one of the highlights of the trip for me. Getting to interview the children who could possibly be going there was so eye-opening and inspirational. Although all of the stories behind these children were very sad, it really gave me a sense of hope because we were actually helping not just one child, but a whole family and community. Going to the churches was also a great experience because I got to see how open these people are about their faith.
The trip to Zambia has really impacted me. Even though it has been several months since we have gone, I still love to go back through the photos trying to experience it again. Zambia really helped me to get my priorities right and to start focussing on the important things like my school work, friends, family and my faith. I really believe that Zambia helped me more than I helped them. I went over there and did just a little bit for them, but they did so much for me. I’ve come back to Australia and I’ve changed my attitude towards many things. I used to complain about little things and of course I still do at times, but now every time I do I just have to think back to the smiles on the kid’s faces in Zambia.
I know that I was very quiet while over in Zambia, but I really did love the company of the team. The team leaders were great. I believe my faith has grown so much since the trip. Thanks so much to Helen, Monique, Mr Hockley and the team. I’ll never forget Zambia!
Emma Clarke