College News

Expedition to Costa Rica

A group of 30 students from QE recently returned from Costa Rica where they were involved in voluntary work in the community. This was no ordinary visit. The students fund raised to travel to Costa Rica and whilst there helped to renovate an orphanage building and took part in a tree planting project.

One of the students’ many tasks was to clear huge storm drains around the orphanage.  They then renovated a building which will be used to teach the children life skills, such as cooking, before they leave the orphanage to make their own way in life.  In addition, the students taught English to the children, organised sporting activities and distributed toys and educational materials that they had brought from England. .

The tree planting was carried out as part of a reforestation project to counteract the illegal removal of trees to increase farming land.  Hosted by a local farmer, the group planted flowering plants to attract insects and enough trees to make their visit to Costa Rica carbon neutral. To round off their adventure, they trekked through the Cloud Forest at night and were lucky enough to see snakes, tarantulas and a sloth.

Nancy Wall, one of the teachers who led the expedition, said:

‘The students learned a great deal about life in a less developed country and saw how much can be achieved when people work together.  The project was successfully completed with a classroom being handed over – a real achievement.  The students were an absolute credit to themselves, the College and Darlington.’