News Detail
Student Reflections
EDGE Thailand
It was such a privilege for all of us to be able to make the journey to China and visit the Shepherd’s Field Orphanage for special needs children.
For myself, and many of the others, stepping off the plane and into a completely foreign culture was a bit of a shock, but it was a wonderful shock. We met so many incredible people, saw amazing architecture, and ate strange and interesting foods – like starfish and, of course, delicious Peking Duck! We also visited the markets, and tourist shops, and even had local people ask to take pictures with us! We watched the townspeople sing and dance in the parks and we sometimes even joined in!
When we visited the Great Wall of China, we couldn’t have imagined just how GREAT it really is. Some of us ran along it to make it as far as possible in the time we had while others walked. We also had moments of quiet and thought about what EDGE meant to us and why we were there.
When we first set out on this trip, we didn’t know each other very well, but I think everyone on the team will agree that by the end of the trip, we were truly a team, and also, much better friends. This trip was an eye-opening experience, but it was so much more than that -- it was a HEART OPENING experience. We traveled there with the intention of helping those in need.
I think we all felt something big was happening from the moment we stepped through the gates at Shepherd's Field. We were met by children who were so welcoming. Our hearts opened wider and wider as the days went by. As we worked through our daily duties -- cleaning buildings for government inspection, and helping with administration, what we really looked forward to was the next time we would see the children.
These kids are incredible. They gave us so much more than we could ever give them. You could hardly see their challenges behind the huge smiles they wore every day. Every single child at Shepherd's Field made such an impression on us.
The person who made the greatest impression on me is a small 12-year-old boy named RanRan. When he first arrived at the orphanage, he was in a wheel chair because he had clubfoot and tethered cord syndrome. None of the staff and doctors thought he would ever walk. Eventually they found a surgeon who was able to operate on his feet and legs. He went from a wheelchair to a walker and now, he can walk with crutches. RanRan inspires me so much, because despite his situation, every morning he walks to school with a smile on his face while others run past him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he walked without any help one day! He has an amazing will and is such a happy kid. If I ever have a goal that seems unreachable, or even just a bad day, I will think of him. His determination and optimism will inspire me to persevere no matter what the situation is.
When people say they have been somewhere that has changed their lives, I think we can honestly say that we have been to such a place!
We would like to thank Mr. Robertson and the School, and especially Mr. Loiselle and Ms Russell for making this incredible, life-changing experience a possibility for all of us.
– Tai W.
Photo by Stephen Lane
Back
For myself, and many of the others, stepping off the plane and into a completely foreign culture was a bit of a shock, but it was a wonderful shock. We met so many incredible people, saw amazing architecture, and ate strange and interesting foods – like starfish and, of course, delicious Peking Duck! We also visited the markets, and tourist shops, and even had local people ask to take pictures with us! We watched the townspeople sing and dance in the parks and we sometimes even joined in!
When we visited the Great Wall of China, we couldn’t have imagined just how GREAT it really is. Some of us ran along it to make it as far as possible in the time we had while others walked. We also had moments of quiet and thought about what EDGE meant to us and why we were there.
When we first set out on this trip, we didn’t know each other very well, but I think everyone on the team will agree that by the end of the trip, we were truly a team, and also, much better friends. This trip was an eye-opening experience, but it was so much more than that -- it was a HEART OPENING experience. We traveled there with the intention of helping those in need.
I think we all felt something big was happening from the moment we stepped through the gates at Shepherd's Field. We were met by children who were so welcoming. Our hearts opened wider and wider as the days went by. As we worked through our daily duties -- cleaning buildings for government inspection, and helping with administration, what we really looked forward to was the next time we would see the children.
These kids are incredible. They gave us so much more than we could ever give them. You could hardly see their challenges behind the huge smiles they wore every day. Every single child at Shepherd's Field made such an impression on us.
The person who made the greatest impression on me is a small 12-year-old boy named RanRan. When he first arrived at the orphanage, he was in a wheel chair because he had clubfoot and tethered cord syndrome. None of the staff and doctors thought he would ever walk. Eventually they found a surgeon who was able to operate on his feet and legs. He went from a wheelchair to a walker and now, he can walk with crutches. RanRan inspires me so much, because despite his situation, every morning he walks to school with a smile on his face while others run past him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he walked without any help one day! He has an amazing will and is such a happy kid. If I ever have a goal that seems unreachable, or even just a bad day, I will think of him. His determination and optimism will inspire me to persevere no matter what the situation is.
When people say they have been somewhere that has changed their lives, I think we can honestly say that we have been to such a place!
We would like to thank Mr. Robertson and the School, and especially Mr. Loiselle and Ms Russell for making this incredible, life-changing experience a possibility for all of us.
– Tai W.
Photo by Stephen Lane
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
