Saint Norbert College students have last month immersed themselves into the Bali life delivering 230 kilograms of donations collected at the Queens Park school throughout the year.
The immersion, which took place during the two weeks of school holidays in October, saw 11 students and five teachers venture beyond the tourist track.
During the immersion trip, teachers and students spent most of their time at a children’s refuge called Samitania Rescue Home, a school purpose-built at a Sanur tip called Paul Samitania School 2, Sidhi Astu Tuka Orphanage run by the Franciscan sisters, a foundation for people with craniofacial disabilities, a cancer hospice and other agencies supported by the Helping Hands Across the Sands charity group.
Identified by their navy blue and gold school uniforms, the Year 10s and 11s handed out clothing, toiletries, games, shoes, mops, buckets and fresh food supplies, including Vegemite sandwiches, to impoverished locals young and old.
Best of all, they worked compassionately to help those less fortunate than themselves.
Year 10 student Sydney Midgley described the immersion journey as “one of the most amazing experiences” of her life.
“It was inspiring to see the children’s happiness, gratitude and presentation at the school despite their situation,” Ms Midgley said.
“I have learnt more about myself and made real bonds with people.’’
Fellow student Liam Baxter, added that giving donations at the school was “fun and a real eye-opener.”
“It made us realise how privileged we are to live the lives we do,’’ Mr Baxter said.
The ‘St Norbert College Indonesian Immersion 2019’ organiser Margaret Kyd, co-ordinator of the College’s Student Ministry, said students formed bonds quickly and were selfless in their service.
“The students often said that these people had nothing and they are happy, and we have everything and [yet] we complain,’’ Ms Kyd said.
“I think it enabled them to appreciate the blessings that they have in their lives and their families.
“For some students, it reaffirmed what they wanted to do after high school in terms of further education and careers, and I think they also learnt that when you give of yourself 100 per cent, you actually receive so much in return,’’ she continued.
The St Norbert students’ reaction to meeting children at the Sidhi Astu Tuka Orphanage, run by the Franciscan sisters, was also overwhelming.
“Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces warmed my heart,’’ Janista Naokhunthot said.
Her classmate, Ruby D’Castro added that the experience has changed her view on life and “will never forget it”.
One highlight was the connection made with elderly patients at Cancer House, in Sanur.
“I walked in to see our students massaging the patients’ hands and arms – much to the absolute delight of the patients,’’ Ms Kyd said.
“It was so lovely; we played some music and some of the patients danced with some of our students. They really gave these people a lot of joy and in return, our students enjoyed the experience.
“Our leader, Leon from Helping Hands Across the Sands charity, said on numerous occasions ‘I love your kids, they serve from the heart’. We can’t ask for much more than that,’’ she continued.
The journey gave students an opportunity to act out their faith and to live as part of a Christian community in penurious conditions.
“It was often hot, as the places we visited had no air conditioning, but it didn’t stop our kids, they just kept on giving,’’ Ms Kyd said.
“Our nightly reflections provided us with an opportunity to talk about what we had seen and how we felt each day.
“Often things really touched the students and some of these reflections were quite emotional for the students,’’ she concluded.
A first for the College, the Indonesian Immersion will now become a biennial tradition for St Norbert students to enable them to carry out the school motto of being ‘Prepared for All Good Works’.