A once in a life time trip during the April school holidays for Nayland College students, who participated in a range of activities, community projects and jungle immersion experiences. All of which was student-led, with decisions made from budgeting to logistics.

20 brave students signed up for an adventure to remember, in the very hot, humid and beautiful island of Borneo in Malasyia. The trip began in Sepilok, where they visited the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (where Macaque monkey's also roamed), Sun Bear Conservation Centre and visited the Rainforest Discovery Centre.

Students then travelled eight hours to Tampat Do Aman and stayed in long-houses, which were eco lodges to promote environmental sustainability. During this stay they did two community projects, which are a part of the Sustainable Cities and Communities initiative. Students concreted stairs on a village hill, which is usually slippery during the wet season and made a chicken coop for a family.

After this, they then met with the local guides who accompanied them for the Jungle Immersion for two nights, where they slept in open hammocks.  During this time, they were taught how to make tools out of bamboo, traps, plant uses and learnt about wildlife. 

The final stage was three nights in Kota Kinabalu, where they experienced a range of markets, street food and snorkling. There were beautiful clear waters and views of turtles, rays and a range of tropical fish. 

Student comments:

"Would highly recommend! It was an amazing trip filled with once in a life time experiences and friendship. Seeing and experiencing a new way of life really made me appreciate how fortunate we are here in New Zealand. My favourite place we stayed was at Tampat Do Aman where we were looked after by Howard, he was so inspiring and welcoming, it soon felt like a second home. We were staying in a remote area right in the middle of nature, with lizards, monkeys, squirrels and snakes; we even had a bat fly through and poo on someone the first night. If you get the chance take it, World Challenge was awesome, as Howard would say "go grab life by the short and curlies!"

"It is amazing how this trip could bond everyone together. Because of such different and harsh conditions that we ended up in, we all grew and made long term friendships, and that is the real world challenge, overcoming your fear of change and embracing it with new or not so known people around you that become your trusted friends in the end. Trust the process, and never give up."

"This World Challange trip that I went on with 22 others (2 teachers and 1 WC leader), was one of the best school related adventures I've been on so far. All the people who went on this trip with me were so caring and I'm glad some friendships came out of this wonderful experience."