‘They made a cement floor and laid bricks as the new dining room was built’

They trekked for five miles, slept in tents - and then got to work on building a new school thousands of miles from their homes in South Tyneside.

St Wilfrid's students pictured in 2011 as they prepared to visit India to help build a school. Leaders Lynn Watson and Tony Stout are pictured with them. | sg

placeholder image — St Wilfrid's students pictured in 2011 as they prepared to visit India to help build a school. Leaders Lynn Watson and Tony Stout are pictured with them. | sg

Today, we are asking if you are on of the teens from St Wilfrid’s RC College who took on a 25-day survival mission in Southern India, starting 15 years ago this week.

A team of year 11 pupils cooked their own meals during their stay in the poverty-stricken region of Kerala.

Once they got back to South Tyneside, the school’s science technician Lynn Watson said: “It’s been an action-packed time..

“The students acclimatised quite quickly and got used to the cultural changes and different types of food. It was a very challenging visit but they all did very well, and everyone had a whale of a time.”

The Trimmers Arms in South Shields. | other 3rd party

Each of the 16-year-olds had to raise £3,000 ahead of the trip to cover travel, accommodation, and also to donate to the school project in Kerala. They did supermarket bag packs, tombolas, and a music event at the Trimmers Arms in Commercial Road, South Shields.

The 11-strong team had months of preparation, which included lessons in first aid, regular gym sessions and learning about building materials.

St Wilfrid's RC College, Temple Park Road entrance in a 2011 Shields Gazette photo. | sg

“Some of the girls will have their 16th birthdays while we are over there, so it will be unusual for them to spend a birthday away from home,” said Lynn before the team set off.

Once they got to Kerala by plane flights, other transport and a five day trek, they time at a run-down school where they painted, decorated, designed and helped to create a new dining area.

Lynne added in 2011: “We spent some time staying with a local vicar, and the students learned a lot about Indian cooking from his wife.

“The pupils soon got to work on two building projects. They made a cement floor and laid bricks as the new dining room was built, while the construction of new toilets enabled the students to learn about plumbing.”

We would love to hear from the students who went on the epic adventure which was made possible by World Challenge. Share your memories by emailing [email protected]