Learning Through Service in India
In March 2018, nine Upper School students from Crescent travelled to India on a two-week journey that we didn’t know would be one of the best trips we would ever take. We were lucky enough to be accompanied by 13 girls and one boy from other Toronto high schools. After months of preparation, lunch meetings, and 28 hours of travel, we arrived in Kolkata, West Bengal.
We spent our first four days in Kolkata, playing with “Rainbow” children – children who are not able to be taken care of by their parents (equivalent of Junior and Senior Kindergarten) – at various local Loreto schools. In Kolkata, we were lucky enough to travel to various Brickfield sites as well. These sites employ families to work in the 40-plus degree heat, seven days a week, to make about $5 Canadian for the creation of 2000 bricks. Half of that money gets taken by an intermediary, leaving families with $2.50 for a day’s worth of work. This was an eye-opening visit that taught us the importance of gratitude. The Brickfields project allows the younger members of the family to attend school and receive a basic education. We were fortunate to observe various teachings and get to play games with the children. After a visit to Mother Teresa's tomb, the Child-In-Need Institute (CINI) and a great closing dinner, we flew from Kolkata to Bagdogra.
In Bagdogra, we hopped into a fleet of Tatas (very similar to Jeeps) and travelled to Matigara. Our accommodation in Matigara left us with a large area to relax, hang out, and play frisbee. In Matigara, we visited a leprosy centre, something that was very hard for us to see. The following day we travelled to Darjeeling, which included a stop at the Hansqua Tea Garden and Factory, and a four-hour switch-backing drive up the mountain. We spent three more days in Darjeeling where we climbed Tiger Hill at 4 a.m. to see the sun rise above Mount Everest, visited the Darjeeling Zoo, and took an afternoon hike to an amazing waterfall. Our group from Crescent separated from the other group and travelled to Lolay, another mountain town similar to Darjeeling, although significantly smaller.
In Lolay, we spent an amazing two days teaching the children at a school of 100 students. We were welcomed with a breathtaking assembly presentation. Our group taught subjects such as math, social studies, science and chemistry. After school was over, the students took us on various walks through the town to their houses where we got to experience the living conditions of the students. Some students would walk three hours a day, in the morning and afternoon, to get to and from school. This was one of the most eye-opening experiences for the group and it really left us with a lot to think about.
On our final day in Lolay, we competed in a Canada vs India soccer match with a group of students from the Lolay School. We thought it wouldn’t be too difficult to win (given they were in Grade 5), but when we arrived the students were geared up in soccer uniforms, ready to win. We had a tough game, and a ball or two flew over the fences down the mountainside, but we came out on top with a 3-2 win.
Our next stop was Delhi, where we took a morning tour of Old Delhi, the Lotus Temple, and the Gandhi Memorial. On our final day, we took a three-hour train ride to Agra and visited the jaw-dropping, world-renowned Taj Mahal.
We would like to extend our gratitude to our travel peers: Tess H., Mackensie D., Orla R., Rachel B., Clare H., Daniel S., Keza M., Dana F., Justine M., Elle D., Samantha L., Sophie H., Caroline P. and Jordan S. Thank you for our newly formed friendships that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. Thanks to TCDSB teachers Ms. Elizabeth Wicik and Ms. Jennifer Giancola for leading us through India. Thank you to Mr. Green, who was a fearless yet humble trip leader, always lending a hand or wanting you to eat a healthy banana. He was always quick to provide aid to students who got sick and stayed by their side to make sure they were okay. Lastly, thanks to Ms. Graca, the most supportive and friendly trip leader, who stayed behind multiple times to support and care for sick students.
Back
In Bagdogra, we hopped into a fleet of Tatas (very similar to Jeeps) and travelled to Matigara. Our accommodation in Matigara left us with a large area to relax, hang out, and play frisbee. In Matigara, we visited a leprosy centre, something that was very hard for us to see. The following day we travelled to Darjeeling, which included a stop at the Hansqua Tea Garden and Factory, and a four-hour switch-backing drive up the mountain. We spent three more days in Darjeeling where we climbed Tiger Hill at 4 a.m. to see the sun rise above Mount Everest, visited the Darjeeling Zoo, and took an afternoon hike to an amazing waterfall. Our group from Crescent separated from the other group and travelled to Lolay, another mountain town similar to Darjeeling, although significantly smaller.
In Lolay, we spent an amazing two days teaching the children at a school of 100 students. We were welcomed with a breathtaking assembly presentation. Our group taught subjects such as math, social studies, science and chemistry. After school was over, the students took us on various walks through the town to their houses where we got to experience the living conditions of the students. Some students would walk three hours a day, in the morning and afternoon, to get to and from school. This was one of the most eye-opening experiences for the group and it really left us with a lot to think about.
On our final day in Lolay, we competed in a Canada vs India soccer match with a group of students from the Lolay School. We thought it wouldn’t be too difficult to win (given they were in Grade 5), but when we arrived the students were geared up in soccer uniforms, ready to win. We had a tough game, and a ball or two flew over the fences down the mountainside, but we came out on top with a 3-2 win.
Our next stop was Delhi, where we took a morning tour of Old Delhi, the Lotus Temple, and the Gandhi Memorial. On our final day, we took a three-hour train ride to Agra and visited the jaw-dropping, world-renowned Taj Mahal.
We would like to extend our gratitude to our travel peers: Tess H., Mackensie D., Orla R., Rachel B., Clare H., Daniel S., Keza M., Dana F., Justine M., Elle D., Samantha L., Sophie H., Caroline P. and Jordan S. Thank you for our newly formed friendships that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. Thanks to TCDSB teachers Ms. Elizabeth Wicik and Ms. Jennifer Giancola for leading us through India. Thank you to Mr. Green, who was a fearless yet humble trip leader, always lending a hand or wanting you to eat a healthy banana. He was always quick to provide aid to students who got sick and stayed by their side to make sure they were okay. Lastly, thanks to Ms. Graca, the most supportive and friendly trip leader, who stayed behind multiple times to support and care for sick students.
