Discovery Week Trips 2016 - Garden International School

 Trip & Trip Leader Description & Photos Belum Mr Ric Faulkner This is the second year of running this project. Last year we installed a solar powered pump, in a float device of our own design, in the lake at Belum to provide fresh water for an Orang Asli village. This year we intend to take it a little further and install a shower head too. We live on a houseboat for a week, get great food cooked for us, get to raft in the lake and generally have a fun but relaxing week. Leave Monday morning, back Friday in time for dinner. Rafting race Walk to waterfall The solar panel works!! Unrolling the pipe Rafting is easy if you start young Cambodia Ms Emma Newton Discovery Week Cambodia, or Disco Cambo as it is affectionately known, has run successfully for 7 years. On this trip, students will spend most of their time between two centers, the ARCEP (​
www.arcep.kh­org​
) and Savong’s School (​
http://www.savong.com/Gallery/tabid/104/Default.aspx​
), where they will be teaching English, Maths and other valuable life skills such as dental hygiene. ​
As well as this, students will also visit Anjali House http://anjali­house.com/ to donate books and clothing. Every year, there is some building work involved where we turn the largely attap building into something more sustainable for the children. This year we will be sponsoring the cooking school’s kitchen and we will paint wall murals to create a positive learning environment for the students. Previously, we have sponsored the salaries of local teachers, donated bicycles, built a toilet and created a library. Students will also get the opportunity for some cultural experiences at the Siem Reap night market and old market along with the major Unesco heritage temples such as Angkor Wat, Ta Phrom and Bayon. Chengdu Ms Sally Cheah This Discovery Week trip will take students to the ​
Dujiangyan Panda Reserve in Chengdu. It is a unique opportunity, as the students will have a chance to see areas of the reserve that are not normally visited by the general public. We will be working as volunteers at the reserve cleaning panda enclosures, delivering bamboo, preparing meals and cleaning the reserve. We will also have a chance to visit the panda hospital as well as observe how the panda’s bread is manufactured. Students will also visit Chengdu Panda Eco­park (the largest research base of giant panda, where the students can see the red pandas), explore ​
the wide and narrow alleys [Kuai Zhai Xiangzi] (two ancient streets restoring the old archetecture in ​
Ming [1368­1644] and ​
Qing​
[1644­1911] styles) ​
and tour the ancient water village, Huanglongxi (an ancient town with a history of more than 1,700 years). Feeding time Cleaning the inside of the enclosure Cleaning the outside of the enclosure Making dumplings for dinner New born panda Chiang Mai Mr Peter Melicher Students opting for the Chiang Mai trip will have a unique opportunity to help out with the local community as well as experiencing the vibrant culture of northern Thailand. All activities are organised and lead by staff from TRIADHOS centre, (A ‘Three Generation’ organisation, which is fully accredited with qualified and trained staff). Students will first head to an International School in Mai Rin, located 45 minutes north of Chiang Mai. Here, students will get to experience some Thai culture such as going to the night market, visiting the fantastic Elephant Nature Park as well as kayaking and trying out some Thai art and craft. After this, students will partake in a community project. Last year, students managed to renovate a school, including painting a huge mural for the community. This trip is open to all year groups from 7 to 13. The total cost will be RM3,650 and will include transport, accommodation and food. Philippines Ms Renie Leng Discovery Week­ Enchanted Farm The Philippines A week of experiential learning coupled with community service experience within the Enchanted Farm, where students will get a chance to learn about the long­term benefits of social enterprise, by having a hands­on approach with the community at the farm, from poultry(duck) farming to fruit(mango) planting to processes of a soft toy factory and a juice factory with fresh produce from the farm. The Enchanted Farm in Bulacan( 90 minutes from Manila) offers a Discovery Week ​
with a difference­ ​
community service opportunities while learning how to help critical communities in need in the Philippines by creating empowerment and wealth for long­term sustainability. Students will stay in the Enchanted Farm student dorms and have a chance at seeing how creating wealth amongst the poor helps to empower them in the long run. There will be a mentoring session with Tony Meloto, the founder of Gawad Kalinga. There will be one visit to a school sponsored by Gawad Kalinga and a visit to a GK community. Fly AA from KL to Manila return, with a highly secure transfer to the Enchanted Farm in Bulacan. All room and board within the Enchanted Farm. http://gk1world.com/gk­enchanted­farm Mesilau, Sabah Ms Vijaya Ratnam We will be spending 5 days doing community service with the Dusun Tribe and Mesilau local community school. We will build a volleyball court for the school and perhaps a bus stop for the community. Students will learn more about another culture and their values. We will have sporting activities with the local school students, jungle trekking, visit a dairy farm and even learn to plant vegetables alongside the community farmers. Panorama view with Mount Kinabalu in the background Where we will be building volleyball court here. This is the school we will be helping This is the accommodation where we will be staying Vietnam Mr Adam Robinson and Ms Jasmin Kaur Vibrant Vietnam ­ Ho Chi Minh City On this trip, we believe that when you go overseas to do community service you should come back with a better knowledge of the country and its history, have spoken the language, tasted the foods and met and helped the people. Join us for 5 days in the beautiful Vietnamese city of Ho Chi Minh. One of the most dynamic cities and cultures in Asia! This is the 3rd Year this trip has been led by Mr Robinson (Head of Year 11)and will include once again Ms Jasmin Kaur, both very experienced teachers at GIS. During our time we have made very positive friendships with a number of orphanages in the city. Working with the Reach­out team from The British School Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) we will be working with orphans and street children from 3 different organisations. All of the children we work with are orphans, many are working on the streets. Similar to the Reach­out program at GIS we aim to befriend and build a relationship with them. What kind of things can you expect to be doing on this trip? Well, first we need to orientate ourselves in this dynamic city ­ so we will be taking a tour and visiting the the main tourist sites including the former presidential palace, old post office as well as the military museum. We will learn a lot about the recent turbulent history of Vietnam. Then, over the next 3 days we will be working with children from the 3 different Orphanages. Spending quality time with them, teaching them some English and hearing them laugh is what this trip is all about. Spending time with the orphans at a cooking school Mini­MUFTI afternoon at the British school Vietnam Over 3 packed days you will learn how to cook Vietnamese foods, learn how to dance, learn some Vietnamese words and more importantly get to know the orphans. Professional hip­hop dance class with the orphans During our trip there will be a chance to see more of the history of the city with a visit to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels in the jungle to hear more about the Vietnam war. You can climb on the tanks and scramble through the tunnels. Join us on this trip if you like working with young children, exploring an amazing city and enjoy learning about different cultures and foods found in Vibrant Vietnam. India Ms Mika Koelma Hathiyar Village, Location of AoZora School, Bodh Gaya
INDIA: Creative & Cultural Experience in Bodh Gaya & Varanasi!
Students attending the India DW Trip
will be a part of a new and exciting
creative arts community development
project, working in an orphanage
school in one of the most
disadvantaged rural villages in Bodh
Gaya, India.
Students will spend 3 days at AoZora
School:
- Painting the inside of the
school classrooms & building.
GIS students will need to work
as a team, painting colourful,
culturally sensitive and fun
murals for a positive learning
environment in AoZora School.
- Running creative workshops, teaching songs and running art
activities in classes. Working with students who are 4 to 16
years of age, who live in the surrounding rural community in
Hathiyar Village.
- Sharing Indian cultural activities- Visiting amazing temples,
markets and pilgrimage sights. Oh and of course playing
cricket with the locals!
AoZora School is located in Bodh Gaya, an amazing rural village and
one of the most spiritual places in the Buddhist culture- It has the
Mahabodhi Temple and the Tree of Enlightenment, where Buddha
attained nirvana. There are many monks on their Pilgrimage to the
Tree and it is culturally fascinating. A very unique place to visit in
the world!
On The Ganges River, Varanasi
The DW India team will also get the opportunity to travel on the
famous Indian railway system to one of the most ancient and
holiest cities in India, Varanasi. Here students will spend 2 days
exploring the old city- Taking a boat at sunrise on the sacred
Ganges river and wandering the ghats system, capturing the
reverence and beauty of the place through photography. It’s
awesome to observe the daily life on the Ganges river and learn
about the ancient sacred customs still performed on the Ganga
today. We will be spoilt, as some of the best curries, breads and
sweets come from the Northern Bengali Indian culinary culture.
Typical streets in India
However, this trip is ​
very challenging​
and not for the faint hearted.
We will be travelling in peak dry season heat. It can get up to 40
degrees heat everyday. Our accommodation will be simple, clean
and with air conditioning to ensure students get a great night sleep
after long days working and travelling in the heat.
Travelling the Northern West states of India is also a very culturally
confronting experience. Students will observe communities that are
extremely disadvantaged, including immense poverty,
homelessness and begging. This is a very realistic image of how
many people in India live to
survive.
It is emotionally challenging and
eye opening- but highly
rewarding to be able to work in a
rural community, making a
difference in the lives of young
students, so they can have a
brighter and more positive future.
The India DW trip for 2016 is only
offered to Year 9 to Year 13
students. We are looking for
creative, positive and courageous
young people who want to make
a difference in a place that needs
lots of compassion, action and
support.
The total cost to be a part of this unique trip, everything inclusive is
RM3,500.
If you are interested, ​
please fill in this google form​
and tell us why
we should choose you to be a part of this amazing opportunity to
travel to India and support AoZora School in Bodh Gaya.
Life changing experiences working with gorgeous students in AoZora School
Sepilok, Sandakan Ms Yap Chin Fui The students will experience nature in its natural form. For two days, we will take part in the restoration process of the forest and clean the lake. They will hear music made by insects and animals, take a river cruise to observe primates and spot proboscis monkeys. We will visit Gomang Tong caves, which have a wealth of history and culture and also the home to the world famous swiflet population. We get to work at the Sun Bear sanctuary and visit and feed the orangutan in its natural environment. Visit the orangutan in Sepilok Cleaning the lake Gomang Tong caves Pangkor Mr Mah Keng Hoe For this trip, students will be doing their part in environmental conservation and community service. Apart from that, they will also get to experience and learn the language, culture, history, environment and economic activities of the community in the areas visited. Of course there will be time for fun under the sun too. Tioman Mr Dan Norbury This trip is for Y7 & Y8. It has been successfully running for 8 years in conjunction with high quality Outdoor Education specialists www.ourlittleplanet.org​
Participants will get the opportunity to go jungle trekking, kayaking and snorkelling and do team building activities on the beach. The community service element of the trip is mainly carried out at the very worthwhile turtle conservation project. www.juaraturtleproject.com​
Another focus last year was on creating a waste management system for the village using reduce, reuse, recycle principals. Perhentian Mr Jonny Casalis de Pury During this trip we stay on the beautiful Perhentian Islands at Flora Bay resort, truly paradise! If you want to giving Scuba diving a go, or if you already can, then you will have the chance in the crystal clear waters, coupled with some of the best snorkeling in the world! For our community service we will work with Ecoteer to carry out crucial marine environment research (turtle identification and reef checks) and work with the local school to promote the importance of preserving the incredible ecosystem of our oceans. FRIM Mr James Donaldson We will be spending four days with our friends from a local Myanmar refugee centre at FRIM, where we will be enjoying nature­trails, treasure­hunts and the wonderful canopy walk! GIS students will be organising a wide range of games and teaching activities for our Myanmar friends.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/o0B5hkYqZFOVW4NzZocWY
yQ0ZhVW8 Animal Welfare Ms Katie O’Neill This is a trip for students who love animals. The students involved in the Animal Welfare Discovery week trip will spend 2 days at ‘Furry Friends Farm’​
​
http://www.furryfriendsfarm.org.my/​
and 2 days at the SPCA​
​
http://spca.org.my/v51/​
. At these Selangor and Kuala Lumpur based shelters we will be spending time with rescued dogs, cats and other animals giving them much needed exercise, attention and supplies. We will also have the opportunity to help clean and fix the shelters, as well as taking photographs of the animals to help publicise the shelters, raise awareness and funds, and increase the chances of adoption for the animals. So if you love cats and dogs this is definitely the trip for you. The maximum number of students the shelters allow on a visit is 30. Back to Nature Ms Noriza Idrus Back to Nature will be focusing on the sustainability of nature. ­This trip will first take the students to Sepang Goldcoast MNS Interpretative Centre (EIC) where students will learn about the conservation of mangroves and the Sepang river. Then they will take part in Mangrove Planting Site Clean­up and Mangrove Tree Planting Exercise. ­On the next day, students will visit the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary where they will work as volunteers at the sanctuary. Their volunteer work will involve cleaning the elephant cages/confinement, preparing food and cleaning the surrounding area at the sanctuary. At the centre, students will learn about the purpose of the centre and efforts that have been done to save these orphaned elephants.The centre is responsible to locate, subdue and translocate problem elephants from areas where their habitats are being affected by development. ­ On the last two days of the week, students will visit the Turtle Information Centre (TIC) in Padang Kamunting, Malacca where they will stay overnight. At the centre students will learn about turtle conservation (Hawksbill Turtle) and factors that are threatening the turtle species. Students will have the opportunity to release hatchlings and take part in beach patrol to monitor any turtles which may come to lay eggs. Students will be collecting rubbish at the nearby beach area as well as cleaning the area surrounding the centre. ­ The following day before going back to KL, students will visit the Malacca Zoo and take part in the volunteer programme where they will be doing a Gotong­Royong activity. This will involve cleaning up certain areas within the zoo or preparing food for the animals. After doing their part as a responsible member of the community, students will have the opportunity to explore the zoo before heading back to Kuala Lumpur. Reach Out Day Trip Ms Natalie Clark You take 20 different refugee children on 5 different day trips around KL. You will partner up with one child to visit great locations around KL for a fun learn Open to Years 7­13 Maximum number of GIS students: 40 COST : RM500 Reach Out Painting An incredibly rewarding and worthwhile experience; volunteers will Mr Mark Solomons be responsible for painting, helping with minor maintenance and the general renovation of some of our KL based refugee centers. Open to Years 9 ­ 13 only Maximum Number of GIS students: 40 COST : RM400 Reach Out Teaching Ms Anna Berney This is an exciting opportunity for you to work with our community partners from the KL based Refugee centers to develop team working, communication and organisation skills to create quality learning experiences for all. This will be linked to Global Goal 4. You will work with your teacher facilitator to create and provide and deliver quality age appropriate Science, Math, English, Coding, Arts and Sports based lessons. This is a 4 day programme based at GIS following normal school hours. Open to Years 7 ­ 13. COST : RM200 Kuching Experience Mr Andrew Sharpe Experiences that will last a lifetime The Kuching Experience has been a popular and successful discovery week trip for many years. Time on the trip is split between going on excursions with the amazing less privileged children from Kuching and a journey much deeper into the jungle to spend a day in the life of the indigenous Iban tribe. Working with children There are many opportunities to spend time with our new friends and hopefully help them to have an experience they will treasure for the rest of their lives. To help this happen we will head out on trips that have in previous years included seeing orangutans, playing games and sports, going bowling, going to the cinema and even visiting a theme park or the zoo. We will be finalising this year’s excursions closer to discovery week. Helping the environment If those memories and experiences aren’t enough we will have chances to leave a more lasting effect on the community by helping to develop the environment at local orphanages. Last year our students spent a rewarding day painting and rejuvenating a playground. Staying with the Iban tribe We will travel out from Kuching and canoe up a meandering Sarawakian river in order to spend a day at Lemenak Longhouse with the indigenous Iban people. They are happy to share their culture and you should expect to receive a traditional welcome dance from the warriors and maidens, learn how to cook a local lunch (and eat it!) and use their traditional blowpipe weapons. Enjoy every minute This is an action packed trip yet there should still be time to fit in a visit to the Sarawak cultural village, known as the living museum. Ask anyone who has been before and they will say they had a great time! So come join us for this unique experience and get closely involved with a gorgeous community where you can really have an effect and gain an invaluable insight into the culture of Sarawak.