Year 8 TAS students Sambavan Jeyakumar from Guyra and Thomas Morgan from Llangothlin were part of a contingent of students from who spent 10 days at St Christopher’s Orphanage in Suva, Fiji.

“We pulled up old floor tiles from two of the dorms and a hallway and replaced them, and fixed 15 pushbikes, replacing tyre tubes, chains and seats as required,” Sambavan said. “The kids were pretty excited at that, as they hadn’t been in working order for some years.” 

“We also did some gardening, taught Kindergarten students and cleaned and re-ordered the library. Otherwise we just played with our ‘buddies’, including taking them to the movies.” 

The boys said they learnt much about the kids at the orphanage, but also a lot about themselves.

“The work was important for the sisters because they have no money to spend for the home. This year we raised $8,500 for the home, and when the kids came home from school and saw the tiled floor they were so happy,” Thomas said. 

“I learnt that money can’t buy you happiness. These kids at the home have practically nothing but they are probably some of the happiest kids I have ever met considering what some of them have been through.”

The service trip is offered annually to senior TAS students as part of the school’s Leadership, Service and Adventure program.