Each year, the humanitarian trip organised through the Champittet Foundation enables students to volunteer abroad, step beyond their comfort zone and expand their worldview. This autumn break, a group of students in grades 11 to 13 from Collège Champittet travelled to Madagascar to help build a new home for children attending the Foundation’s school in Andrafiabe. The young volunteers discovered the joy of making a meaningful difference through hands-on effort as they contributed to the construction of the new children’s home. They worked side by side with the local community and Father Stefano, a doctor and Capuchin priest who has led humanitarian initiatives in the area for three decades. As the students carried materials and helped to build the new lodgings, they also formed friendships with local citizens, including the children in need who will benefit from the new home. “In the afternoons, we would visit the orphanage, play games, sing songs and spend quality time with the children. Those moments were some of my favourite parts of the trip,” said Isabella, in Grade 13 (FLE). Grade 12 student Timeo agreed: “The children became like a family to us.”
Beyond their volunteering work, the young travellers deepened their understanding of the culture and landscape of Madagascar through visits to local towns and schools and activities in nature such as snorkelling and whale watching. “The trip opened my eyes to another reality and gave me a greater appreciation for what we have,” reflected Maxime, in Grade 12. Many students echoed this sense of gratitude and awareness of the challenges that people face in different parts of the world. As Grade 12 student Mattia observed, participating in this humanitarian project “pushes you out of your comfort zone and helps you realise how fortunate we are.” At Collège Champittet, the school believes that engaging in service and cultural exchange is essential for students to grow as global citizens, and it is especially proud of its young humanitarian volunteers. In the words of Timeo, “It’s an experience everyone should live at least once. You learn so much and come back with a completely new perspective.”
