Cultural Experiences
Habitat for Humanity
Bula!
During the July school holidays, four Year 11 students and two staff members from Endeavour College were part of the eighth Habitat for Humanity (H4H) team sent by South Australian Lutheran schools since 2005 to build houses in the Asia-Pacific region. This service trip occurs once every two years, and this year for the first time, the team, consisting of thirty seven students, youth leaders and staff members from five Lutheran schools across the state, travelled to Nadi in Fiji. Together they managed to complete two T-Shelter houses capable of withstanding up to category four wind speed. This will make a tangible difference in their lives.
While Fiji is normally seen as an idyllic, palm-laden paradise; poverty and inequality continue to be a major challenge, and over 35 percent of Fijian citizens live below the poverty line. H4H envisions a world where everyone has a safe place to live. A house leads to a stronger future; enabling learning, good health, better sanitation, secure rights and safety. H4H also assist in disaster response and prevention, providing water and sanitation facilities to help improve health, and work on projects to support people with disabilities.
In addition to the building that occurred in Fiji, our students put a significant amount of effort into fundraising this year, and with the support of the entire Endeavour community, raised over $6,000 towards the cost of building materials. As we raised above the required amount, we were also able to purchase some much needed stationery and sporting equipment for the Sabeto village school, These items were very warmly received. Our sincere thanks goes out to everyone that assisted us in our fundraising efforts!
This was an amazing life experience for both students and staff, and we were truly blessed and privileged to have been a part of it. Some comments from our students include: "I have a new perspective ... hopefully less materialistic; I have grown as a person; it was great working with people who have a common passion and goal; it was an incredible, once in a lifetime experience."
These students were given the opportunity to authentically immerse themselves in the Fijian culture, and serve others in a truly meaningful and rewarding way. They were also able to form some strong friendships with students from other Lutheran Schools that we hope will continue well into the future!
Natasha Smith
Habitat for Humanity Staff Team Member
Exchange Students
My name is Annika. I am 15 years old and I live in Neuendettelsau, a little town in Germany. My hobbies are dancing, playing the piano and hanging out with my friends.
I am here for exchange and I am going to stay here for nine weeks. One year ago my teacher asked me if I want to do the Australia exchange and instantly I said YES. Now I am finally here and I am so happy that I can take part in this exchange program to Australia. Not only is it an exciting adventure, but also helps me to grow as a person. I arrived only two weeks ago and I have already had so many great and unforgettable experiences and I have learned a lot about myself.
For the next weeks I am looking forward to learning more about the culture, the different school system and meeting new people with different backgrounds.
Annika Schmolz
German Exchange Student
My name is Herbert Sakai. I am half British and half Japanese. I am from Japan and going to stay here for ten weeks. I love cooking and playing sports, especially basketball and handball. Everyone in my school plays handball during the lunch break. It is like the picture underneath. By the way, Mikkel Hansen is my favourite player.
I came to Endeavour to improve my English so that I can use good English for my work in the future. I am excited to know many different cultures which I haven’t experienced or seen. I cannot still get used to students having their ears pierced and using telephones in the school which are both banded in the school which I go to in Japan. I can’t get use to many things like the speed when people talk here or that there are no mountains surrounding me like my Japanese school. But I will get used to them really quickly I think and I hope. I can’t wait to go back to Japan and tell everyone about it.
Herbert Sakai
Japanese Exchange Student