KUCHING, Feb 2: Fifteen Lodge National Secondary School students delivered a total of 1,500 briquettes to three low-income families in Pyeongchang, South Korea recently on Jan 23.
To survive the cold winter, the families rely on coal briquettes as they are the only option they can afford to keep warm. The team endured the freezing temperature as low as -17 degrees Celsius for six hours to complete their tasks of delivering the briquettes.
According to a press release, the delivery which was implemented together with 25 South Korean students was among the activities carried out in the Korea-Malaysia Youth Exchange Project which lasted from Jan 20 to 25. The project was jointly organised by Korea Youth Work Agency, Duke of Edinburgh (DOE) Malaysia and Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award of Lodge National Secondary School.
The Malaysian delegates comprised Form Four and Form Five Lodge National Secondary School students, teachers Willie Liew Yu Yung and Wong Jade Chian, Youth and Sports Ministry officer Carl Sherman and DOE Malaysia CEO Ravichandran Subramaniam.
The delegates stayed in Pyeongchang National Youth Centre with their South Korean counterparts where they carried out numerous activities together such as visiting the Winter Olympic Park in Pyeongchang and Dogye Youth Centre, making glass jewellery, making ‘bibimbap’ and attended a K-pop dance workshop.
“It was a truly eye-opening event where I learnt so much. I find this to be a rare chance to come by and the learning could never be acquired by sitting in the classroom,” said Lodge National Secondary School student Bong Wun Cheng.
Additionally, Lodge National Secondary School students collaborated with the Junior Awards Scheme Korean participants aged 10-14 in team building games and community services around area of Pyeongchang.
“I had so much fun with the kids. Even though, this is my third time participating in the DOE International Youth Exchange Project, I find it fulfilling to serve as mentor to my fellow friends and enjoyed it tremendously,” said Lodge National Secondary School student Edwin Jaden Fabian.
The Youth Exchange Project provided the opportunity for Lodge students to share their DOE Award experience and Malaysian cultures with the South Koreans. Lodge Group of Schools director Thomas Huo Kok Sen expressed his gratitude to the School Board of Management for their support as well as to their South Korean counterparts for their great hospitality. — DayakDaily
