A team of 22 Bedalians and five teachers went to Swaziland, a small landlocked southern African country, this half term to install a water supply in a rural primary school called Mafutseni. Bedales students and staff began the project by digging trenches to lay the pipe, and as the week progressed we were joined by the students from Mafutseni and the local community. By the end of the week we were able to see running water for the school which was amazing. Both the kids and teachers at Mafutseni were incredibly giving, kind and welcoming - we were all so lucky to meet them. Living together in a very removed situation from what we're used to was surreal and really enjoyable. We had to cook, wash up, and shop for each other and that was great - I think it made us more willingly to help each other out at the school, and that meant we could complete our project and give the school two new murals and a gate as well. Every student on the trip would agree it was incredibly fulfilling to be able to give back and continue our connection to the schools in Swaziland. Thank you to the staff who made it such an incredible and life affirming experience. View Sophia's film about the visit here.
By Eve Allin, 6.2