Hilversum International School Study and Service Trip

wall painting

Mural Painting

For the third year in a row, Andaman Discoveries was happy to welcome back the International School Hilversum group for their annual study and service trip.   This service trip for the students focuses on community service, culture and nature.  The group of 23 from the Netherlands visited the North Andaman Coast for a ten day tour that included a night in Phuket, a homestay at Ban Talae Nok, three days at the Burmese Learning Center, and three days at Home & Life Foundation to complete the service trip portion of the program.

fixing

Desk Fixing

The work at the Burmese Learning Center included the outside of the buildings receiving a fresh coat of paint for the first time since its opening in 2012, a ‘Healthy Food Journey’ mural was painted on the outside of the kitchen and an afternoon of fun included traditional Dutch games and English language classes. Thanks to service trip groups like Hilversum, the BLC is able to develop in a positive and meaningful way each year. Without service trip group help, all of the extra things at the center that make it more safe, more comfortable and more fun would be missing. This group also initiated the featured toothbrush campaign that is still working well with the teachers support!

 

At Ban Talae Nok the students enjoyed making batik and Thai snacks, visiting the beautiful and natural Gam Islands for snorkeling and picnic lunch, as well as fishing from the beach before a local barbecue .  Their time at Home & Life focused on building a small check dam in the river next to the home and laying concrete to help complete the floor renovations at the home.  Through all of the activities the students were able to immerse in local culture, connect with nature and have fun!

Hilversum homestay

Culture Exchange

This group also fundraises each year to donate to the projects they visit, and the BLC was the fortunate recipient of a 100,000 Thai Baht donation! An extra special thank you goes out to the hard work and dedication of this Hilversum group!

Dutch games

Dutch games