Ottery students return from trip to Ethiopia
STUDENT ambassadors fro The King s School returned from a 7000-mile round trip of a lifetime to Ethiopia last weekend.
STUDENT ambassadors fro The King's School returned from a 7000-mile round "trip of a lifetime" to Ethiopia last weekend.
Nine 15 to 18 year-olds made the trip to Africa to "make a difference" in the country and plan, deliver and review a sports festival for elementary school children after raising �900 for equipment.
The trip saw teens welcomed as guests of honour by 5000 students at the Dej Geresu Duki School in Wolisa, 120km south of capital city Addis Ababba, for the festival as well as make appearances on Ethiopian national television.
Deputy Head teacher at The King's School Rob Gammon said it was a "pleasure and privilege" to take the youngsters on the week-long mission as representatives of the school and town and
He said: "The students were outstanding ambassadors for the school and town and I am sad that the adventure is over but am hopeful that the impact of our visit will be felt in our lives and the lives of many others for a long time to come."
Mr Gammon added that students were moved to tears by scenes of poverty and suffering in the country but it was "great" to see students from different cultures able to meet and talk, overcoming so many barriers so quickly.
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Students were given the opportunity to go to lessons and see first hand what the educational experience of an Ethiopian student is like and were also given an interesting incite into an African family planning clinic.
Other highlights saw students enjoy an overnight stay in the Menagesha Suba National Forest where they sampled freshly slaughtered sheep alongside resident baboons who joined them after smelling the meat cooking.
Teens also got the chance to take in the sights and sounds of Addis Ababba. "It's a fantastic place to eat full of colour, great food and music" said Mr Gammon.
See more photos and read a full account of the student's trip in this Friday's Ottery Herald.
