Day Five: Hong Kong Explorer

#HKCST14

Awakening to day 5 of the service trip we were greeted with the familiar warmth that is Hong Kong weather and the first whole day in which we were able to head off and explore this great city. In an odd turn of events the students found a usable washing machine and proved to us that all the rumours of their limited domestication are false, so with any luck when they return they'll bring these life skills home.

Our day together started at 9:30am as we gathered for a morning devotion in which Mr Conoulty reminded us that we are faced with the opportunity to develop our character through finding the good, the excellent, and praise worthy things to dwell on despite the tired bodies and sore limbs that are being felt (along with some cases of sleep deprivation) Phil 4:4-9.

At this time the heavens, appropriately, opened up and we were able to experience the cooler side of Hong Kong. So as we ventured off to catch the bus. I think everyone was just pleased to be walking around and getting wet from something other than sweat.

Our first destination was the Victoria Peak Heritage Tram Ride. Upon having caterpillared our way through the queue of tourists and locals we rode an old tram up the side of a mountain from which we were able gain an amazing view of Hong Kong, upon arriving at the top we had some additional views into shop windows.

After lunch we headed to our next destination, Stanley Markets, which involved an exceedingly turbulent and speedy bus ride down the mountain. The markets were a lively destination and although they weren't overly large, they contained a range of goods. You will be pleased to know that while there, some students selected presents for their family and friends back home - and not just fridge magnets either!

Our third and final destination was Hong Kong itself where we had the plan to see, with much anticipation, the city light show. We made sure everyone was well fed and rehydrated before we headed up to the observation deck and saw the city brought to life in a new way. Between the laser lights, changing colours and images projected onto the side of the buildings, we had an array of elements to take in.

As we journey home from a massive day out exploring China the students are sharing good stories from the day and they continue to make this trip a lot of fun and beneficial for all.

Day Four: Crossroads Container Packing

We chose one of the hottest, sunniest and most humid days of the year for our container packing exercise! At least it was not raining! 

Our day commenced with one hour of CHAOS. This is a Crossroads Team activity where members assist each other with various cleaning, tidying and minor maintenance activities. Our team were divided into small groups to assist with a vast array of tasks from folding clothes to shifting bedding. 

Following CHAOS, we moved on to the container loading. We first learnt a little about the container loading exercise - it is a bit like the game of tetras as you need to be able to fill in every space in the container. Our container is going to Zambia to a project that has asked for additional assistance. We packed all manner of items into the container with everything from school textbooks, desks, chairs, clothing, furniture, electrical goods and computers. 

Our group was a little large, so some people were sent to other projects so that there were no idle hands through the day. 

All team members were able to be involved in some aspects of the container loading which was a highly satisfying activity, knowing that these goods will soon be arriving in Zambia to assist with much needed projects. 

After a long day of hard work, showers, a visit to the shops across the road for dinner and then an early night to bed were the final orders of the day.  

Day Three: Crossroads Volunteer Program

We woke up to another warm and sunny day and started with a devotion time with the Crossroads team before being split up into different volunteer groups, working at various locations around the site. Some were fortunate enough to be located inside and with air conditioning. Others found themselves inside without air con and the very brave worked outside in the sun. Many water breaks were required. Volunteer activities included: electrical goods stock control (cleaning, testing and cataloging electrical goods); book stock control (sorting and cataloging books); painting and decorating of a toilet block; clothing accessories stock control (belts); and stock control of a large shipment of flat packed bunk bedding stored in containers in readiness for shipping.

Our team of staff and students worked remarkably well, many coping admirably with the very tough conditions of heat and humidity. The Crossroads team were very impressed with our commitment and energy.

Lunch was an opportunity to sit and replenish. The afternoon session included two simulations, the Blind Experience and the AIDS Experience. Both of these sessions challenged participants to walk in the feet of those who experience AIDS or blindness (river blindness) while also living in poverty. This was quite a sobering experience. 

After a busy day and some showers, our group ventured off in a double-decker bus to the Ladies Market, a night market in Kowloon. This is a general market place where we were able to enjoy dinner at a variety of eateries and some shopping, which included the challenge of bargaining for a good price. 

Our team are travelling remarkably well. The staff have been very impressed with their attitude of helpfulness, respect and care for each other. We are really looking forward to what the upcoming days are going to bring us, particularly tomorrow's challenge of packing a container of supplies to be sent to Zambia. 

Day Two: Crossroads International Centre

After an interesting nights sleep working out the appropriate balance of air conditioning and fans within our rooms, our groups prepared their own breakfasts and then we set off to an introduction to Crossroads with DJ Begbie, one of the sons of the founders of Crossroads. DJ told the compelling story about how his family were confronted with need in various parts other world, but did not have the ability and knowledge of how they could really help. Crossroads was founded after a phone call from someone in China saying that they needed blankets and clothing for two million people who were displaced by flooding and who would die in there Chinese winter without these essential items. The Begbie family were understandably left thinking "I wish we could help but, what can we do?". Following this phone call a stream of miraculous events took place, from meeting people wanting to donate clothes to retail stores having unused stock and they were able to then meet the need of the Chinese people. From this more calls started to come in from communities and organisations that needed help and the Begbie family, in the midst of seeing these needs met started to wonder surely there was an organisation that would be able to start connecting the needs of the people with others who had the necessary resources. They were looking for the 'eBay' for global community need. They were to find out it didn't exist but from a conversation with the United Nations (UN) they were to learn there was a need for it and from this the dream of Crossroads was born.

With great passion and beautiful stories, DJ painted the picture for us of just how far reaching the hand of Crossroads is and more so that in our experience here, the reason we get out of bed in the morning "is not because of the work you will do, but because of the people that the work will serve". 

The days activities took us through a range of experiences which took us out of our comfort zones and into the world of families living in poverty through the 'Poverty Experience' where we were put into groups with other schools and as a 'Family' worked to literally make paper bags from newspapers, which we needed to then sell to shop keepers in order to make a measly wage. We were all challenged but it was incredible to see students start to see that the effect of poverty is not just a matter of no money but you start to realise that the things we call 'necessities', like medicine, sanitation, and education, are a just not options for people in these curcumstances. 

After lunch we went on a tour of CrossRoads in which we were able to see elements of the operations they have here in China and also hear some stories of the needs that are being met around the world.

Following on form this we went to the 'Fairtrade Experience' in which everyone looked at the way fair trade works and in industries such as coffee where it's not all fair trade how much different people in the supply chain earn. Students were left negotiating what they though their work deserved as farmers, or exporters and roasters which in the end turned out to be far less than anyone expected. Students left with a greater appreciation of the value in fair trade and how it leads to more equality for all people involved in the production of goods they enjoy every day, such as chocolate.

We visited a local beach, and appreciated how clean and spectacular our Australian beaches are. Dinner at the local shopping centre rounded off a busy day. Overall, day two has been incredible and only excited us all to the experiences we will have tomorrow!

Day One: Sydney to Hong Kong

After a very early start, and despite closures of the Lane Cove Tunnel and the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, our group of 35 intrepid travellers embarked upon the first leg of our 2014 Service Trip. Students and staff enjoyed catching up on some inflight movies, games and some managed a nap as well. Meals on the flight were interesting, particularly a grey and rubbery form of scrambled eggs - delightful!

On arrival in Hong Kong, our group was invited to inspect the cockpit of the Airbus 330, which was a real treat. The weather in Hong Kong is humid and damp. 

We were warmly greeted by the staff at Crossroads on arrival at their centre. Following a brief introduction, we were sent to our apartments, and most quickly found the switches for the air conditioning for their bedrooms. 

We then joined the site team at Crossroads for their weekly team dinner, where were able to meet several of the team volunteers and talk about why they are working at Crossroads. As we cater for our own breakfasts, we took the group for a walk across to the local shopping centre where our students had their first experience of grocery shopping working with Hong Kong currency. The exchange rate is approximately 1 Australian Dollar = 7 HK Dollars. Their memory of their seven times tables got a work out!

After a long day, we returned to our apartments to hopefully enjoy a good nights sleep.