A group of seven Glenwood boys are eagerly awaiting an adventure that they will be embarking on in June next year. Together with their teacher, Tyrel van Reenan, the boys will tour Thailand and Cambodia as part of the World Challenge expedition.
This exciting expedition was open to all grade 9 and 10 boys.
The expedition is made up of three categories; sightseeing and touring where the boys will get to know the countries and visit places of interest, physical challenge and community projects. “I’m most excited about seeing the different areas, especially the jungle,” said Dylan Smith. Fellow pupil, Brandon Rottcher-Nkabinde-Zakwe adds, “I am looking forward to going surfing on the Thai shores. I would also like to visit the orphanages.”
For the physical challenge part of the expedition, the group will trek through the jungles of Cambodia for three days, setting up camp during the night, until they reach Thailand.
Each boy will also choose a community project he would like to support in Cambodia. “The boys have been learning about the human rights atrocities in Cambodia, visiting the country and interacting with the people will give them first hand insight into what they have learnt,” says van Reenan, who added, “whether it is painting a school or building a wall, each boy will complete his chosen community project with the support of the group,” said van Reenan.
Once they leave South Africa, each boy will get a chance to be a leader, where he will be responsible for vital aspects of travelling like budgeting and food.
“This expedition is driven completely by the boys,” said van Reenan. Every two weeks, the group has a meeting with a representative from the World Challenge organisation where they brain storm and strategise fund-raising initiatives, map out an itinerary and discuss possible community projects. The boys will embark on their fundraising initiatives next year.
At the initial meeting, when asked what they wanted from this tour, all the boys expressed their desire to come back with greater insight and more maturity. “This expedition will be a combination of hard work and lots of fun,” says van Reenan.
