SRI LANKA
The 2019 CWW trip to Sri Lanka is a 9-day trip for up to 30 students focusing on supporting MENCAFEP. ZIS Upper School has taken groups to Sri Lanka for several years to support the work of MENCAFEP and to encourage sport amongst young children in underprivileged local communities.
The MENCAFEP organization supports a total of 2,500 disabled children throughout Sri Lanka with a center based in Nuwara Eliya. During the school year, Sri Lanka club members work toward raising 4000chf to enable the MENCAFEP to run its severely disabled unit. Participants learn about the needs of disabled children and plan appropriate activities to enable us to interact directly with the children during our visit.
A second focus is on supporting disadvantaged students through sports. Participants run coaching clinics, play friendly matches and distribute clothing collected from clothing drives throughout the year.
Students from the 2018 group say that highlights from the trip included working with the kids and having a day to just play games with them. Some students commented that, “the hotels aren’t bad so don’t worry about roughing it– you don’t have to!”
Sample Itinerary (subject to change)
Day One: evening departure from Zurich
Day Two: arrive in Colombo, check-in. Afternoon coaching clinic. Evening city tour and dinner.
Day Three: Travel to Pinawala Elephant Sanctuary, and then on to Kandy.
Day Four: Travel to Nuwara Eliya. Afternoon orientation at MENCAFEP.
Day Five: Service work at MENCAFEP
Day Six: Service work at MENCAFEP
Day Seven: Travel to Negombo.
Day Eight: Football matches and clothing distribution in Colombo.
Day Nine: return to Zurich
9 Days Friday May 31 – Saturday June 8
*please note that this trip will conflict with the SAT test taking place on June 1. Students planning on taking the SAT on June 1 should not choose this trip.
Co-Payment: CHF 350.-
Trip Coordinator: Mr. Mike Johnston
Target Audience: Grade 10-12 students.
Prerequisites: Participants are expected to form a service club in Semester 2 to plan fundraising activities, conduct clothing collections and plan service activities on the trip.
Max. Group Size: 30 students
Visas: All visitors require a visa. Each student is responsible for purchasing their visa online (follow link)
Health and Safety: Routine vaccinations.
Essential Questions: What do I have to give? What is my responsibility to the global community? What can we learn about ourselves by understanding the hardships and joys of others?
Enduring Understandings: Service matters. By giving of my time and effort I can make a difference contributing to the success of a group project. Despite cultural differences, we are all united in a common bond of humanity.
