In July and August, a team of 13 boys and 2 members of staff from the School travelled to Madagascar. The aim of the trip was for the boys to experience living and working in the local community and also to participate in some adventure training.

Prior to the trip, the group raised money through a series of raffles to help support the local community in Madagascar.  They spent time living and working at the Akany Avoko children’s home, which is situated on the outskirts of the capital city Antananarivo. This proved to be a very moving experience. The children were of all ages and the group spent time playing with the children, trying out their language skills and helping out around the home.  Before leaving, the boys were delighted to make a donation of £485.84 to the charity ‘Money for Madagascar’.

The group also spent 3 days living and working in a very poor rural village called Sendrisoa where they helped build a library for the village school. This was really enjoyable but quite hard work. Whilst there the group were looked after (fed and entertained by a local family). On one occasion whilst moving some stone which was to be used as hardcore the group were shocked to discover a snake in amongst the stone , however the locals soon returned it to the wild and no harm was done. The group presented the village elders with a new flag for the village and a soccer strip for the local school. The group also made a financial donation of £350 to the charity ‘Feedback Madagascar’, which supports work in the local area.

The boys also climbed the highest accessible mountain on the island; it took 3 days to reach the summit. They spent several days living in and exploring the rainforests and the wildlife it offered.  They studied several of the Lemur species that exist on the island. And finally, they spent some time at a rescue centre for the Lemurs where they were able to handle the animals.

This was a truly once in a life time experience for the boys.