KCCL Trip

On Wednesday, November 20th, I went on my last KCCL trip for the semester! We had planned to have a christmas party, so I brought a huge 2 litre bottle of coke and a packet of chips for the kids. I was really excited to see how the party went and talk to all the kids again, but I was also melancholy at the prospect of not seeing them for a whole month.

When we arrived everyone got out of the bus with their food and started to set up a table and chairs. We laid all of our snacks out on it, pouring out drinks into small plastic cups provided, and opening up packets etc. All the kids were sitting on chairs around us, but we realised that it may of been too chaotic if everyone was unleashed upon the 'buffet' at the same time. We decided to pile up plates with food ourselves, and just hand them out. Unfortunately, we soon ran out of plates, so we began to use napkins instead. Everyone seemed really pleased with how things were playing out though, and the kids all had wide smiles plastered on their faces. However, once everyone had a plate we opened up the table for people to just come and take things as they pleased. It was MADNESS. I turned around for two minutes and when I glanced back at the table there were wrappers scattering the ground, and the children had food on their faces and clothes!

The party went on for the duration of our trip - it was very relaxed, kids came and went to get food, and we sat in circles and talked to each other. It was clear that the children didn't often get occasions in which to just sit down with each other, eat, and socialise. It was really loud in the room, and shrieks of laughter emanated from the school!
Time flew by, and soon enough we were clearing up everything and the kids were heading home. It was sad to say goodbye, but I'm grateful that I can return next semester.

Doing KCCL this semester has been really good for me. I've been able to be more accepting of others, and to appreciate how lucky I am to be the way I am. It must be really difficult for these kids, but the level of strength and perseverance that they show is incredible. No matter when or where they are, they're smiling, and that makes all the difference in the world. It really does.

I've been able to develop my leadership qualities and communication skills on the trip - being able to convey ideas and messages to those who see the world in a different light can be challenging, but it allows you to expand your knowledge and self-awareness.

Next semester I hope that we can do a little more painting, and perhaps work on educating the kids a little more about some world issues - like animal abuse for instance (I'm wondering if any of them have been to KSPCA?).

[photos hopefully coming soon]