World Challenge

What is a World Challenge expedition?

World Challenge expeditions are educational expeditions run through school, that head to developing world communities for four weeks. The expedition comprises of four sections:

1. The acclimatisation phase: prepares challengers for the rigours of trekking in the destination country
2. The trekking phase: a challenging trekking destination in remote areas, challenging team members physically and mentally
3. The community project: a week spent working on small-scale projects in local communities, working in schools or on projects such as local conservation
4. Rest and relaxation: a couple of days to unwind indulging in activities such as sightseeing or white water rafting

“A life changing experience”: Signing up to an expedition means so much more than simply the four weeks abroad. It involves fundraising the money, expedition planning and organising. World Challenge expeditions differ from normal school trips as students are in control of the trip. They plan the itinerary, manage the budget and sort out all the logistical issues in country, such as transportation, food and accommodation. Students will learn money management skills, develop social skills, lead teams in challenging circumstances and build confidence whilst exploring a fascinating country.

For more information on World Challenge, see here: http://www.world-challenge.co.uk/expeditions/about_wc_homepage.asp

WORLD CHALLENGE EXPEDITIONS AT LAWRENCE SHERIFF SCHOOL

APPLICATION: When an expedition is launched at Sheriff, it is open to those who are in Years 10, 11 and 12 at the time of launch (who will beY11, Y12/Y13 when on expedition).

HISTORY: Sheriff has a long history of taking successful World Challenge expeditions around the globe. Previous expeditions have been to Peru (2000), Canada (2002), India (2004), Tanzania (2006), Chile (2008), Nepal (2010), Uganda (2012),The Silk Route (2014), Myanmar (2016) and India (2018). Unfortunately, the expedition to Ecuador that the teams prepared for, for 18 months was cancelled due to Corona virus.

STAFF: The World Challenge expeditions are run through the Geography Department and lead by Miss Woolliscroft with the help of Mr Brown and Mr Littler.


COST: The expeditions are not cheap. They cost challengers several thousand pounds. The whole ethos of the trip however is that team members fundraise as much of the money as they can in the two years of build up before departure. Some enterprising and hardworking students will raise every penny themselves. Generally students manage to raise about 85% of the total. The challengers who raise the money individually get a lot more out of the experience.

FUNDRAISING: With help from World Challenge and the staff at school, students raise their money however they can; washing cars, packing bags at supermarkets, running quiz nights etc. Some hold down part-time jobs for the two years before going, others plan large one-off events. Some plan a careful mixture of both.

So are the World Challenge fundraisers in school paying for these boys ‘holidays’?

NO! This is a common misconception about school fundraisers. Any fundraisers that are run through the school (such as cake sales, discos and quiz nights) raise money for ‘team funds’. These are completely separate from the students’ personal fundraising which they do outside school. These group fundraisers raise money for taking out to spend on developmental projects in the developing world communities that we visit. For example, teams may decide to spend group funds on additional materials for use when we are painting a school; thus aiding both a local painting firm and the school.

Recent trip: SILK ROUTE 2014

An astonishing 65 students travelled to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan along the Silk Route in the summer of 2014. The students were split into 4 teams, lead by Mr Riley, Miss Handley & Miss Kelsey, Miss Bruce, and Miss Woolliscroft & Miss Burden for the month; we were joined by a World Challenge Leader and multiple guides throughout the experience. Treks completed by the teams included the Utichel Peak in Kyrgyzstan which reached an impressive 4500m, and 3300m up Chimgan. As the groups completed different itineraries, the achievements for the groups varied, although the accomplishments were equally substantial for each team. The projects included installing irrigation systems for local families and villages, and painting local school rooms. However, the fun didn’t stop there, rest and relaxation allowed students to visit Yurt Camps, Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent- fabulously beautiful Silk Route cities to experience cultural and architectural brilliance.

“World Challenge has changed me in every way; nowadays I'm more organised, more responsible for my own actions and able to be independent which I can put into whatever situation I'm in - be that at school or at home.”

“World Challenge was a life changing experience. Reaching the top of Utichel Peak (4500m) was an amazing accomplishment.”

Myanmar 2016

“Myanmar is a truly amazing place to visit. The four weeks our team spent travelling this secluded, intrusive country were easily some of the best weeks of our lives. One of the challenges was the culture shock that hit us immediately in Yangon, everything seemed to be moving rapidly, which was originally quite overwhelming, especially in the stifling heat. The hustle and bustle of the markets was fascinating and it was not long before the team dived into local delicacies, the whole team enjoyed cripplingly hot chilies and, with some encouragement, everyone ate the fresh crickets.
During the expedition we visited countless amazing places but a highlight for the group was our visit to Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp, which is a camp for retired logging elephants. We were presented with the opportunity to feed, wash and play with these magnificent creatures in an environment where it was clear they were truly cared for. This experience was closely followed by the beautiful sunsets and sunrises that were waiting for us in the picturesque plains of Bagan. Although it was quickly discovered that some members of the team certainly weren’t morning people, I believe I speak for everyone when I say that the early morning starts were certainly rewarded. The views we experienced were truly breathtaking and simply cannot be articulated.

Perhaps the most bizarre experience of the trip was the local’s incessant interest in our group. At large tourist attraction some members of the group would actually attract crowds asking for photos. When watching an international football game in Mandalay the entire group spent the best part of an hour taking photos and dancing with locals outside the stadium in a carnivalesque style atmosphere. It was a truly bizarre situation we found ourselves in but it goes without saying we reveled in the outpouring of attention we received.

The trekking phase along with the project introduced us to the working classes of Myanmar. In the trekking phase we stayed in mountainside monasteries and village farmhouses, which laid claim to stunning views and tranquility unlike anything I have experienced before. Everywhere we stayed our hosts treated us with unending kindness and affection, ensuring we were always without want. Our project phase was spent at the ‘Full Moon’ Orphanage just outside Yangon where we helped furnish and paint a girls dormitory that had been destroyed in a storm a few years previous. In addition we repainted their canteen and kitchen areas with the excess group funds we had raised. Throughout our stay with the community the team joined in with the children’s recreational activities, playing various games such as football, badminton, hop scotch and their traditional game chin-lo. The connection the our group made with the children was humbling and the last night proved quite emotional, as the children began to give personal gifts like their teddy bears and bracelets as parting gifts.

It is simply impossible to truly explain the life changing experience our team had on expedition and its certainly one that none of us will ever be able to forget. Our personal skills of organization, leadership and independence have improved greatly throughout the expedition and have left us well equipped for the challenges we shall face later in life. Although the most valuable benefit of this experience is the bond that was created within the team and the unforgettable memories we created.”

 

For more information, please see Miss Woolliscroft or visit http://www.world-challenge.co.uk/    

World Challenge Mozambique and Eswatini 2024

Lawrence Sheriff School World Challenge is travelling to Mozambique and Eswatini in 2024.  Please click here to view more information and the Itinerary.

Print Email