Friday 10th November 2006
Tonbridge teacher, Adrian Schweitzer, recently led a school trip to Hong Kong and China. Adrian reports as follows:
Following the welcome initiative from Mrs Diana Chan (mother of Gerald PS 5), I took a party of 23 to Hong Kong and China. In Hong Kong, we all stayed with host families for whom nothing was too much trouble as they showed us around their fascinating city, providing great fellowship and generous hospitality.
Then, along with our hosts and representatives from China Care Fund, 50 of us (half boys) travelled through Guandong Province of China. Here the emphasis was very much on cultural exchange, visiting two schools and engaging in joint activities including a football match and a Halloween party. The warmth of our reception was incredible and we were very struck by the lives we encountered. We also helped the China Care Fund to carry out an audit in various country villages where the welcome was just as warm, but the level of poverty and need stood out in stark contrast to the booming new industrialised cities. Both aspects of the trip are ones we intend to pursue with further ventures and deeper involvement with the work of the charity. Many an eye was opened.
Click on the images below for a larger picture.
The group
A view from the Peak, Hong Kong
Standing: John Gibbs (teacher), Anthony Wu (Jeremy - left Tonbridge this summer), Norman Chan (Gerald, Parkside, Yr 5), Edward Pong (Alexander, Parkside, Yr 5, Steven Sharp (teacher).
Seated: Elaine Chung ( Anthony, Parkside, Yr 5), Judy Pong (Alexander - as above), Diana Chan (Gerald - as above), Adrian and Carolyn Schweitzer, Yvonne Mok (Jeremy, Parkside, Yr 5), Haley Daley (Tom, Whitworth, Yr 3).
Ru Yuan School, Guandong Province, China
Tonbridge about to take on Ru Yuan School at the beautiful game
Tonbridge v Ru Yuan. The buildings in the background are all part of Ru Yuan School (3000 pupils).
Cultural exchange... Tonbridgians take the platform at Ru Yuan School to give a presentation on life and education in the UK.
Adrian Schweitzer, Hayley Daley, Norman Chan, Steven Sharp, Diana Chan, John Gibbs
Freddie Elliott (Smythe House, Yr 4) provides commentary on the coach.
The Tonbridge team
West meets East - Will Simpson (Whitworth, Yr 4), Rowan Edmondson (Cowdrey, Yr 4) and Alice Schweitzer meet pupils of Ru Yuan School, China.
Adrian Schweitzer presents an Old Tonbridgian teddy to a prize-winner in a Chinese primary school.
The China we don't hear so much about. Alongside the incredible industrial growth there is rural deprivation.
Arthur Tso, Chairman of China Care Fund, with Adrian Schweitzer
Food - an important aspect of cultural exchange. This is 'Bird-rice'. None of the boys was quite brave enough, but teachers John Gibbs and Steven Sharp tucked in.
After a very happy lunch at Happy Valley, kindly given by the Pong family.