True happiness is not found in material possessions but in the support and love people share with others. Students from The Armidale School, New England Girls’ School and PLC Armidale discovered this during their recent school holidays.
The 26 students took part in a service project to St Christopher’s Orphanage, Suva, Fiji, helping the Anglican Sisters of the Community of the Sacred Name who run the home and assisting at the primary school which most of the orphans attend.
“At the orphanage we built an archive room, cleaned all the windows, and created a garden we called Armidale Park,” Claudia Nash, a Year 9 NEGS student said.
“We had ‘buddy’ time every day when we read to the children and played with them; they were just so happy to be with.”
While the group may have taught the locals something about Australia, they also learnt a lot about themselves.
“It opened our eyes to the life of the ‘normal’ Fijian and I don’t think I could go back there and have a nice time in a five star hotel while so many people are living with almost nothing, it just isn’t right,” reflected Harry Wright.
“Seeing how the Sisters have brought up these kids who have had bad backgrounds and given them such a really happy attitude towards life made me think that sometimes I am too greedy and selfish, compared to the Orphanage where everyone is thinking about each other. It really encouraged me to go home and be thankful for what I have.”
Trip co-ordinator Chris Spencer, the Head of English at TAS, said the pilgrimage is a transformative experience for those who attend, and is true Christian service in action.
