Elinor Bowman and Alanna Coleman are teenagers ready to tackle their first humanitarian missions.
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Elinor, 15, will help a team of students build a house in Vietnam next year, while Alanna, 14, has her bags packed to help build an agricultural plot for a school in Zimbabwe in June.
The Hunter Valley Grammar School students have joined other students and teachers to make a difference to communities overseas.
The school has travelled to Vietnam every second year since 2006. Its next tour will be in April next year.
“I wanted to be involved to help a community, provide shelter for a family and to do something good,” Elinor said.
“I also wanted to gain some independence for myself. After being in the care of my parents and family I want to experience caring for myself.”
Her ultimate goal is to work in orphanages overseas.
Alanna could have gone to Europe this year, but chose Africa.
“For me, this trip is about connecting with a different culture and people. I do not know a lot about the people there and I want to help school children with their agricultural project.
“It is a chance for me to experience a different way of life.
“I am an active person, I want to do things to help, I am not a shopper, I am happy to stay in a hut.”
Alanna’s goal is to work with children in Third World schools.
Teacher Carla Killen and four other adults will escort four students to Zimbabwe.
And teacher Rick Walker will travel to Vietnam with 27 students next year.
It will be Mr Walker’s fourth visit to some of the country’s poorest regions.
“The looks on the students faces when they realise they are contributing something life-changing – that’s why I do this,” he said.
“We work with different ethnic minorities and raise money for a village.
“We build houses with timber frames, half-brick and a roof and it lasts a family 15 to 20 years, compared to the traditional woven bamboo walls and frame, which last five to six years.”