Pupils return from Raleigh challenge in India

Pupils return from Raleigh challenge in India

3 November 2008

Eleven pupils from Henry Compton Boys School (HCBS) have returned from a life-changing expedition in India, organised by youth and education charity Raleigh. The pupils were selected by their school to participate in a community project shortly after finding out their GCSE results in the summer.

The group spent ten days living and working alongside villagers in the remote settlement of Telegu Massahilli, in the Mysore region. During this time, the group constructed 16 sanitation units which improved the quality of the water for the local community. The pupils visited India during the Diwali festival, where their close contact with the local people gave them a unique experience of India's culture and traditions.

Pupil Ali Freek, 16, said: "The community project was great. It gave us a chance to establish and explore different people's culture and thoughts. We became very close to all of the community. We also could see that they appreciated our work and were proud of the outcome. It was a life changing experience, a history to be written in our hearts."

Sam Reid, 16, said: "My highlights have been getting to know everybody well, learning about myself, and what I need to do to better myself. I enjoyed seeing the impact we made on the community." Anas Kusseibati, 16, said the experience was "a big wake up call to the life I'm living back home," while Eric Basra, 16, said it was "the best part of my life so far".

Raleigh Chief Executive, Stacey Adams, said: "Our aim today is the same as it has always been: to inspire young people from all walks of life and nationalities to become confident, global citizens. Raleigh's expedition programme with Henry Compton Boys School has helped the pupils to gain practical skills and cultural insight that complements their educational achievements."

HCBS Head Teacher, Dinesh Ramjee, said: "Trips like these are so important as there is such a contrast between what they saw and their own lifestyle. It's very humbling and enriching for pupils and staff. The appetite for education in India is great, it's a lesson our boys can learn from."

The school selected the boys for making educational progress throughout their courses as part of the Key Stage 4 Incentive Award Scheme set up by neighbourhood regeneration programme North Fulham New Deal for Communities (NDC) designed to reward educational improvement.

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Anne Grenyer
Press and Campaigns Manager
Raleigh
Tel: 020 7183 1298
Email: anne.grenyer@raleigh.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

Raleigh

Raleigh is a youth and education charity. Since 1984, our expeditions have inspired 30,000 people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages to be all they can be, helping them develop new skills and friendships and make a difference to communities and environments across the world.

We all have an expedition within us. Find yours at raleighinternational.org

North Fulham NDC

North Fulham NDC is a government funded community partnership that works to improve the North Fulham area. For more information about North Fulham NDC visit http://www.northfulhamndc.org.uk/ or contact Penny Stothard on 020 7471 0361, 07768 067219 or email penny.stothard@lbhf.gov.uk