Benjamin Simpson- My Cape Town Experience

The first I heard of the CapeTown trip was 2 years earlier when I didn't really know mr McGuckin. He was offering from what I saw a life changing experience that would radically help another school that lived without many of the advantages we had and that would also change us as people for the better. The short video I watched was amazing, it showed just what the trip had meant to other people. So as you may expect I put my name down for it, thinking may aswell, hopingI would get in. Because the trip had been so popular only a few would get in, meaning interviews were used to select the pupils for the trip. After the interviews I was unsure of my chance of getting in, my best friend Nik had also put in for the trip and I was delighted that we were both accepted.   

At the start of the educational excursion I was looking forward to an easy quite relaxed trip. I was wrong. The first day met my expectations with a relaxed nice trip to the aquarium. However what we did next was eye opening. We went to the local township Langa. This is an experience I will never forget. The thing that hit me the most about this trip to Langa was how happy and genuinely overjoyed the kids were even though they were living in dire poverty. The kids treated us to a dance show that they prepared especially for us, which personally meant quite a bit. The show went on for about 2 hours while everyone was singing and dancing. A number of the group, including Nik :) who is an incredibly emotional guy, shed a lot of tears. We then had to do a dance for the kids! Completely unrehearsed and not knowing what to do the group just seemed to connect and we all pulled off a couple off dance together. This was when I first knew the group was perfect for each other. 

Welcome school was also a life altering experience for me. Seeing how kids who had basically nothing would turn up for school every day, in uniform, in some cases to get their only meal of the day was quite shocking. 

James and I mainly stayed in 7A and 7B. For me these were the best classes as they were closest to our age (14-15) and it showed all the differences but also some of the similarities that our lives had had in common. I had a special bond with a kid called Ansaar Lakay. Ansaar is a 14 year old boy who aspires to play rugby. The few days I played rugby with him and his friends was unforgettable. The talent Ansaar had was unreal. I hope he and I stay in touch but if this is not the case I will hopefully see his name playing for the South African national squad. 

The last day was quite emotional for the whole group as it was the last time we'd see the kids. It was heart breaking seeing just how close we had become to the kids in such a short space of time and saying goodbye was upsetting. I hope to stay in touch and keep connected with the kids from Welcome primary. 

The bus trips, short and long were amazing. Everyone was on different buses each day and no matter what bus you were out on you would scream out the words to any song that came on. These times were great as it showed just how well the group got on and the fact nobody was embarrassed to sing and dance in front of anyone. I also loved the tourist stuff we did, Table Mountain, Robben Island and whale watching. However it was working with the youngsters that was the best part of the trip.

The teachers became like family as well, Mr McGuckin, Miss Murray, Mr Clunie and Miss Roslander. Even though I didn't know them that well before the trip the 12 days we spent was great fun and I felt I could tell them anything, no matter how embarrassing. I also thoroughly enjoyed the  5k Park Run that Miss Murray, Mr McGuckin and I did. It was by far the earliest I've been up all holiday but was well worth it! It was boiling hot and hard but we all made it to the end.

 All in all the trip was was just amazing. I wouldn't change anything or anyone given the option. No regrets. The fact that we have already got plans organised to meet up shows just how strong a bond their was between the group we also plan on going back again! The trip as a whole has changed me. I feel like I've come back appreciating the stuff I have more and the people around me more. And I'm not just saying this I really feel as if seeing the major differences in our lives changed my views. TIA 

Benjamin