Inveralmond pupils return from India challenge

Aug 26 2010 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A TEAM of intrepid pupils from a West Lothian school have just returned from a charity mission to India.

The group from Inveralmond Community High in Livingston, visited Jaipur where they worked in a local primary school helping teach the children and maintaining the building.

But they also had the chance to see some of the country by visiting the Taj Mahal and trekking into the Himalayas.

The scheme was part of a World Challenge project and it proved to be such a success, that it’s hoped the school will be able to carry out a similar visit in two years’ time.

Teacher Claire Hutchby accompanied the teenagers on the three-week trip and she said: “I am really proud of the group of eight Inverlamond pupils. They worked so hard and demonstrated a level of maturity that was great to see.

“They now see the world from a new perspective.”

Eight S5/6 pupils took part in the challenge – Aimee Agnew, Gavin King, Peter Hudson, Amy Stewart, Jasmine Watson, Michael Mitchell, Abbie Leitch and Tamara Miehe.

They spent the first week of their visit trekking in the Himalayas, and climbed to a height of 4100m and saw Briggu Lake which is a holy lake for the Hindu community.

However, the main phase of the expedition saw the group work in Parshuramdwara Primary School in a poor area of Jaipur.

Claire Hutchby said: “The school helps to provide education to many in that particular community. As you would expect the school had very little in the way of supplies or equipment.

“However, the pupils were very friendly and welcoming. At times the Indian pupils didn't even have any teachers so our Inveralmond pupils were able to lead lessons in PE and Music.

“On the last day at the school we handed out a supply of educational books, pencils and pens to each of the Indian pupils. They were extremely grateful as were the various members of staff at the school.”

After their work at the school, the Livingston students had time to visit some of the country’s sights, such as the Amber Fort in Jaipur and the Taj Mahal in Agra, as well as seeing some of the country’s wildlife, including its elephants.

And the students who took part in the trip said they thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.

Aimee Agnew said: “It was an absolutely amazing experience and I'm definitely thinking of going on another expedition with Miss Hutchby and World Challenge.”

Fellow Inveralmond student, Peter Hudson, added: “It was the experience of a lifetime and one that I will never forget.”

To raise money for their trip, the pupils carried out a variety of challenges in West Lothian in a bid to help the community, while they collected cash.

They held a bag-packing event and a coffee morning to help raise funds, as well as fun events such as Inveralmond Teachers Have Got Talent and a non-uniform day.

And Claire Hutchby said all the help which pupils were given was greatly appreciated.

She said: “Thanks to everybody who supported us during our fundraising for the trip.

“It was very much appreciated and they can rest assured that any donated funds were spent well.”