Page 74 - OM Newsletter - Issue 43 - 2020

THE COLLEGE YEAR
Lower Sixth Service Expedition
On the final day of the Summer Term, ten Lower Sixth pupils left for South Africa on a conservation project. Their focus: rhinos, in particularly the critically endangered white rhino. After twenty-five hours in transit, we arrived at the ‘Care for Wild’ rhino sanctuary, an incredible place in a location that we
cannot disclose, for anti-poaching reasons. Upon our arrival, we were shown to our cabins for the week, and were in the process of unpacking and assimilating ourselves with our surroundings, when chaos ensued. “Run! Run! Run!” was the shout from the sanctuary staff, who were themselves sprinting towards the viewers (the safari vehicles). Within minutes of being there, we found ourselves whisked off at break-neck speed down to the helipad, where we were just in time to watch an injured,
orphaned, baby rhino arrive by helicopter from Kruger National Park. It had been found wallowing in the blood of its mother, that had been killed by poachers for her horn. The baby itself – without its mother to protect it – had been mauled by hyenas, and would not have survived without the intervention of the sanctuary. To see such a harrowing sight quickly brought us up to speed on the importance of the work that the volunteers at ‘Care for Wild’ perform on a daily basis. And for a week, we had the opportunity to muck in and help as well; it proved to be an unforgettable privilege. From cleaning out the ‘bomas’ (the rhino pens), to preparing the bottled milk, to actually bottle-feeding the babies themselves, we were involved in the rehabilitation process, and the pupils on the trip all felt as though they had made a significant impact; indeed, many are considering going back to help of their own accord in subsequent summers or on their gap years. The group were outstanding, and all immersed themselves entirely in the experience, including 5am physical training sessions with the anti-poaching unit, and a game of football with all of the volunteers and staff at the reserve. Their courtesy and enthusiasm were remarked on by all they came into contact with, and Malvern College have been invited back to ‘Care for Wild’ next year as a result. The two days on safari in Kruger itself, at the end of the trip, was a well-deserved reward after all the effort at the sanctuary, and everyone returned home safely having had a truly formative experience.
GFB and FHHS
Malvern to Paris Expedition
In the summer of 2019, 10 Malvern College pupils, assisted by Mr Jay Watts and Mr Simon Woodward, travelled from Malvern to Paris by kayak, paddle-board, and bicycle, unassisted by any other form of transport. This included a crossing of the English Channel by paddle board – the first crossing of its kind.
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