Borderlands Nepal - ACS Week Without Walls

Running concurrently with the ACS Year 10 Week Without Walls in Sri Lanka this year was a programme for ACS Year 11 which was run from our sister property in Nepal.

Have a look at the video  of all the action here:

Day 7: Farewell Borderlands

ACS YEAR 10 - 14th - 21st November, 2012

So the final day at Borderlands finally came about - and leaving us were 46 different individuals - more confident, comfortable in their own skin, with a genuine love and passion for the outdoors which we had introduced them to.
Not that I think for a second that on their return they will be demanding to sleep on roll mats on the floor, in non a/c conditions, but they return to Beirut as more rounded individuals - some less afraid of leeches, some more confident in their abilities to overcome personal limitations and perhaps to even accept their limitations.

ACS Grade 10 - you guys were truly a wonderful crowd - you took on challenges face on with little hesitation or fear, and always with a sense of fun and daring. It comes from the hear when we say that we will miss you guys and you will be a real tough act to follow fro whoever comes to us fr0m ACS next!

Keep in touch and always remember "That Feeling".

Day 6: White Water Rafting

The highlight of many of the kids (and teachers for that matter) on this trip seems to have been the raison d'etre for Kithulgala's existence - and that is the white water rafting. Kithulgala is the only location in Sri Lanka which offers white water rafting, and currently, due to the plentiful rains we have finally enjoyed, the Kelani River is nice and high. Offering great white water on rapids such as "Killer Falls", "Chopper Falls" and "Butter Cruncher" the kids and teachers were split into two groups of Day 6. Whilst one group worked on their skits for the "Talent Show" that evening, the other group were dressed for action, and ready to take on the Kelani River. As always a full safety brief before anyone gets onto the rapids, which ensures that the rafters know what to do in an emergency and reassures them all that Borderlands guides have the skills and experience to deal with any tricky situation.

The afternoon saw the two groups swap over and bravo to Miss Rima for once again facing her fears and heading onto the river this afternoon - I think she would be the first to agree that it was an experience not to be missed. As well as rafting the teams stopped off to play some raft games on the river banks - this adds a really fun dimension to the river experience.

Inevitably there were a few swims as the rafts flipped, and Diana found herself surfing a particularly tricky hole for longer than she may have wished for, but the river was merciful and returned all the participants back to camp on a real high.

The final night at camp the kids enjoyed the skits - particularly impressive was Jad el Haj and his group who made a truly amusing video skit - check it out here:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151320743070930&notif_t=video_tag

Followed by the traditional last night at camp party - dancing, singing, camp fire, roasted marshmallows - just a really great evening and a chance for some of the staff to have a dance too!

Day 5: The Borderlands Adventure Race

It's been another excellent day at Borderlands and I think it's safe to say that the kid's penultimate day at camp was a great success. The kids were divided into 5 teams - Goldie, Domesticats, Mick Jagger, The Lols and Kobeissi - and asked to tackle several mental challenges which would depend on the kids working together in unison and using their best communication skills. Here are a selection of the photos that were taken during the day

The winners of the race incidentally were "Mick Jagger" led by William, and won by a VERY comfortable margin! Congratulations to all the students though, who all did wonderfully. Long day, late night so good night from Borderlands for today!

Day 4: Community Service at Kelani Vidyalaya

Today was an opportunity for the Grade 10 student to meet, interact and learn something about the lives of their counterparts at the local Kithulgala School. Around 50 students from the village showed up on a weekend, in order to share a day with the ACS students.

The day started with an introduction by each individual student, and each ACS student had a Sri Lankan buddy for the day. The girls bonded straight away and an improvisational dance workshop emerged, with the ACS girls teaching the Kithulgala girls the Macarena and the local girls teaching ACS some traditional dance.

The main service element of the day was to help clear the school's main playing field which has become overgrown, as jungle environs are prone to do if not cared for. This playing field is also the volleyball pitch, which is played with enormous fervor and seriousness at the school, by both male and female students.

Despite the searing heat the students did an amazing job, clearing a large patch of thorny brush and high grass. Leaving a substantial area now clear for other ball games away from the volleyball pitch. Just before lunch the kids were treated to a performance of a traditional Sri Lankan dance by some of the female students.

For lunch a very traditional meal - a rice and curry lunch packet, and the ACS students embraced the Sri Lankan way of eating with one's hands.

After a bit of monkeying around the afternoon session included a ceremony where the kids handed over books which had been purchased for the English room through fund raising efforts directly by ACS students. The English master at the school is working hard to try and teach as many kids English as possible in a school where English is not valued as a way of self improvement. His dedication to bettering the education of these children is very inspirational. Th books were really appreciated and will go to very good use.

Following on from this the students from both schools were divided into group where they had to come up with a skit, song, dance which was of cultural significance to one culture of the other, or both! Given the language barriers and a certain shyness from the Sri Lankans, every group produced something unique and to be proud of. Finally there was only way to finish the day and that was to use the newly cleared playground and play some volleyball! The Sri Lankan team I have to admit beat the Lebanese Team in straight sets!

I am sure that for many today will be a lasting highlight of their time in Sri Lanka - after the initial buzz of the canyoning, abseiling and rafting fades, it will be the memories of their time spent with children whose lives are so vastly different to theirs, but with who a connection was made for those brief few hours, which will resonate for years to come.

Day 3: Abseil and Yoga-tastic Day

Today was a pretty full on day - after our usual morning stretches the students were divided into two teams - team one were kitted out in their gear for the morning abseil - helmets, life jackets and ready to go. Team Cavemen were bound towards Belilena Cave on a 2 hour hike through rubber and tea plantations. Luckily "Mother" and "Alfa-Whiskey" could maintain constant contact whilst separated via the walkie-talkie system, which have become crucial survival kit for some of the boys on this Borderlands mission! Special thanks to Charles for helping our guys out with the rope work. And to Ferial who really overcame all her fears and took that huge leap of faith in herself in stepping over the edge.

Over at Belilena Cave (where the remains of a civilisation dating back 32,000 were excavated)the "Cavemen" Team were enjoying yoga with a spectacular view. Fiona Raymond, a great friend of Borderlands organised a 60 minute yoga session especially designed for the ACS students - helping to focus the mind on overcoming fears and insecurities, and self acceptance.

Post lunch the teams swapped over and the "Cavemen" turned rappelers, and again the kids showed such courage and determination - William and Faisal excelled with the belay work.

The second team hiked to the cave and took a while to settle into the yoga, but with Fiona's expert instruction she soon had them chanting and and doing deep breathing exercises which hopefully prepared them for the long walk back to camp at the end of the day!

Whilst the abseiling certainly posed a psychological challenge for some of the students the most overwhelming challenge to overcome was the fear of our little friends who come out to play when it rains. The jungle leeches were undoubtedly the biggest emotional struggle for the majority of the kids, and today they were out in force after the rain! Special mention to Wael who had 15 leeches on the hike back along - getting on for a record there I think, Jad el Haji whose belly-button became the temporary home of a very hungry leech, Joanna whose boot literally turned red and Jenna's leech was definitely the largest and most sated of the day! Guys you were amazing today - we are all proud of you, and you should be really proud of yourselves! Tomorrow is the community service day at the local Kithulgala school - so a very different but very rewarding day ahead.

ACS Day 2: Canyoning and Birthday Celebrations

So welcome to Day 2, and early morning start for the kids, many of who (particularly the girls!) seemed to have chatted into the early hours of the morning! Still there was only one who had to be woken up and dragged from his tent for the morning stretches! Nathan gave them a good morning work out with a Sri Lankan/British/Lebanese version of the hokey kokey!

A 30 minute run so early in the morning and in such humidity might have finished off less hardy kids, but these guys went on to spend the rest of the day in our wonderful canyon. But first there was the river crossing and a hike to the canyon to content with, which everyone enjoyed thoroughly.

The canyoning involves sliding down natural waterslides and jumping into deep rock pools created over millions of years. Everyone impressed the facilitators with their willingness to embrace all challenges, some overcoming their fear of water and of heights, and some simply doing what felt completely naturally to them. Well done to Miss Rami who faced her deep seated fear of water in the canyon - a great role model!

A leisurely float down the river back to camp was a perfect way to end a really exciting and active day. A special mention for Rashan, who celebrated his 15th birthday at Borderlands - it's always great when a student celebrates a birthday with us, and I hope that it's one he remembers for the rest of his life!

To end the blog here's some of the staff attempting, quite poorly, to do a traditional Lebanese dance! We've got 5 more days to get it right though!

ACS Year 10 - Week Without Walls

It was a long flight for the latest group from ACS Beirut to come to Sri Lanka, but at 9:40am there they were in the arrivals hall, ready for their adventure. After 6 months of meticulous planning with Steve Coffey, the trip coordinator, the start of their Borderlands Sri Lanka experience started with being greeted by a blast of hot, humid air as they left the airport. 46 students, 5 teachers have traveled all the way from Beirut to spend a week with us at Borderlands - after a hugely successful Year 8 programme back in May, we are delighted to welcome our second group of students from the school. Exhausted after their long flights most of the kids slept on the journey up to Borderlands, but amazingly they found the energy to have a full afternoon of challenges and team building exercises led by our excellent group of facilitators.

The afternoon ended with a refreshing and much needed river swim, followed by dinner and a camp fire. As I write the girls seem to still be gossiping away - I fear their early rise tomorrow will be a struggle! But tomorrow brings a full day of new adventures - so tune tomorrow to catch up on Day 2's events.

Borderlands' International Raft Guide - Welcome Diana Harl

The water was running fast this weekend on the Kelani River, and Diana, or newest raft guide, was ready to tackle the Class II and Class III rapids. She had just arrived from Germany tired after a twenty hour flight which included a missed connection. Nevertheless, she was determined to participate in rafting the day she arrived. Recent storm surges had made the Kelani deeper and more turbulent – and also, more fun. So Diana got a chance to use her training and skills when the raft got stuck on a series of rapids, and nearly everyone fell out.

Diana is from Nuremburg, Germany, and holds a degree in sports science from Technical University-Munich. She began her career as a raft guide in Austria, where she was certified in the trade. With two years of rafting in Zambia, India, Switzerland and Austria, she is truly a world traveled guide. Her favorite rafting experience occurred during her first trip at Borderlands on the Kelani river. With the water level low, the raft got stuck five times: three “pins” (when the raft gets stuck on top of a rock) and two “wraps” (when the raft wraps around the side of a rock). Luckily, “the clients took it very well” and the trip turned out to be a success.

Her foremost concern is “good safety standards,” as she believes that once safety is taken care of, everything else falls into place. She has the utmost confidence in the other guides at Borderlands, who she says Wade Campbell (Borderlands' founder) has trained well. Diana's discovery of Borderlands was serendipitous. She was working as a raft guide in India and needed a place to go for the off season. “I opened a map and said, 'What's this little island down there?' So I went and was running out of money pretty quick.” Fortunately, moving to Sri Lanka turned out to be an excellent decision for Diana, and she found Borderlands. Now, a year later, she's back here again with us. If you are here this season, look out for her. She's a great raft guide and a pretty cool person to be around!