Stenden University Qatar Trip To South Africa

Rumors filled the university about the trip but those of us who remained eager about the project knew exactly what was going to happen – we were going to make a difference. The plan consisted of physical labor at construction sites for two schools in Port Alfred together with Stenden South Africa in Port Alfred this seemed like the perfect opportunity to visit the campus and do our part of community service. The project, led by Mr. Wayne Johnson, President at Stenden University Qatar, was keen to do as much as possible. He extended our work to opening a computer lab at another school, John Walton Secondary School, to facilitate and broaden the horizons of the students there.

 

From enthusiastic university students, teachers, parents and companies to the local community, everyone got involved. It was a great collaboration and network of people eager to help in all the different ways possible for our cause.

 

As part of the group selected to go on the trip I was extremely excited and looking forward to raising funds for the computer lab. We collected money by holding BBQ Thursdays, a juice stall, Wednesday movie nights and generous donations. The hype created around the trip and the activities for the fundraising received good word of mouth for us to host a big event we called, Mama Africa Night. Face painting, nail art, hand printing, sale of African goods, neon lit shirts for purchase followed by entertainment and a raffle, were a few things happening at the event. Nando’s Qatar greatly assisted us with catering and supporting us by making a donation. The event was a great success where we sold more than 200 tickets. We also collected school supplies to be distributed to the two schools we were to work at.

 

 

I can speak on behalf of the group by saying we haven’t done a project like this before. It is a unique idea combining university students with the school kids. Being able to assist in a small way to improve their education in the long term gave us a sense of achievement. Bringing down a ceiling, scraping and sanding the walls inside and out, meeting the children at the school, playing football with them, singing, dancing, taking dozens of pictures and posing with each one of the kids are all memories we take back with us and will cherish for life.

 

While at the schools in Port Alfred we did manual work, at John Walton Secondary School we collected a lump sum to aid their computer lab. The inauguration of the lab was upon our arrival at their school. With the greatest hospitality and respect the lab was officially opened by Mr. Wayne Johnson, President of Stenden Qatar. It was a proud moment for us to see the work we had been doing for the past 3 months was all put to good use. We were delighted to make our university proud and spread our name.

 

We witnessed the warmest and friendliest welcome from the people at Stenden South Africa. Everyone was open to learn from us about our culture and traditions in the Middle-East. It was also admirable to see them patiently answering all our questions about the atmosphere in Port Alfred. We met with the SRC president, Ramone who graciously shared his experiences with Abdullah Al- Ghanim, SRC President at Stenden University Qatar. The view from the campus is breath taking and this got us thinking of transferring to South Africa for a semester, to the place we have newly fallen in love with. However, our journey came to an end too soon. We wanted to stay with the children for longer and to sing and dance with the students of Stenden South Africa. Each member’s hospitality and kindness filled our hearts.

 

No one knows what the future holds. We can only hope and expect more trips like these which have a meaning. We have all traveled separately for leisure purposes but not to help someone else. This was the beginning for us where we learnt about the good, bad and the ugly. It was a great learning experience and I wish for all students to encounter such an opportunity. I hope to come back to South Africa to see the schools completed and in action. Until then we will prepare to go to another country, other schools, different students and assist in their education.