Our experience

I know I didn’t blog during the time we were in the Philippines and we have been back home for just over 4 days but all I have done since being home is reflect on our trip and miss the children at PCF dearly, so I though that I would write up a few memories of the trip and just look back at everything that we achieved while being in manila.

The first day at the PCF school was so exciting, no one bar the year 12’s knew what to expect when taking our first steps in to PCF. The atmosphere was so loud and cheerful! We were greeted by huge smiles which was so lovely to see. we were soon given a tour around the school but even after that it was a bit confusing walking around wondering if you were on the right level because at this point every level looked the same due to the no offence boring orange colour on the walls. Not long after having the long but interesting tour around the school we took our first trip to the dumpsite! I don’t think words can even begin to explain what we experienced at the dumpsite but I can say it was a real eye opener and it changed every single one of us to say the least. All we can do is show you pictures and try to explain what it was like but even then you wouldn’t be able to get a real idea of what it’s actually like there. Getting off the jeepnee and stepping foot on to the dumpsite was such a weird feeling because we all got stared at, we just had to realise that they never get visitors from out of the Philippines so they were just interested in who we were and probably a little excited. At first I was quite confused because they all seemed so happy and I couldn’t understand why knowing that they are living like this, it still confuses me but most of them don’t know living life any different.

Another memorable day was the first day of bonding with the kids, they were so happy to see us and to be able to spend time with us. It was hard returning to the school after our trip to the dumpsite knowing that’s how the children are living but as soon as we got to have a proper conversation with them we managed to forget about it for a while, that way we got to see their real personalities. I felt like a celebrity after that day because after telling about 10 kids my name, it seemed as if the whole school knew who I was! It felt as if when one person would say my name everyone would come to say hello which was so nice to think they all liked me, that was a big relief after being a little nervous to meet them. After a couple of days one of the boys at PCF nervously came up to me a handed me a flower then quickly rushed away, its a moment I will never forget because me and that boy became quite good friends during the trip and I miss him loads now being home.

The trips were amazing and the children really enjoyed themselves and probably wont stop talking about them for months to come, I know for sure its something they will never forget. I think its something I will never forget either knowing how much they enjoyed it and for some it was their first time out of the dumpsite or school. the trips were very tiring due to the excitement of the kids and how hyper most of them were all day! some of them were so exhausted they didn’t make it into school the next day. I made some lovely friends due to the trips and I will never forget them, I already miss them tons and will hopefully be able to stay in contact with them and maybe visit them in the future.

I think we can all agree the hardest day had to be the last when we had to leave the children. They definitely had every single TSTC student in tears with their Thanksgiving assembly, I even think some of the staff shed a tear. The final assembly was so heart warming, The children are so talented. The school choir sang us ‘keep holding on’, ‘don’t stop believing’ and a very special song they had written about Sholing. That was followed by some lovely dancing and then some readings by the students to thank us all for our hard work. I’m so proud of our team we achieved so much while being in the Philippines and since being back I’ve had so many messages from the children asking us to come back and them telling me they miss us all! I hope one day I can return to the Philippines and visit PCF again. Sorry its such a late blog but I had to share my experience after giving it time to settle in my mind what we have experienced. Thank you to everyone who was on the trip, I think we can all agree we were the best team yet! I want to also thank Bezza for organising a trip of a life time and the teachers, freeza, mick and mike for looking after us while being half way around the world and making our trip fun as well as emotional. Thank you everyone!
Georgia smith