Students on a clean water mission

Zoe Canning, Jaymie Simkin, Kellie Fellon, Hayley Thompson, Alesia Kelly, Lainey Scott, Amber Gillatt and Mark Paxton are looking forward to providing fresh drinking water to families in Thailand and Laos. 140594 Picture:STEWART CHAMBERS

By GEORGIA WESTGARTH

CLEAN water is on the minds of seven Cranbourne Secondary College students as they prepare for an eye-opening trip through Thailand and Laos.
For three weeks the group will be trekking and visiting villages along the way.
Sports co-ordinator at the school Kellie Fellon said the group would be staying the night in local villages and interacting with the children.
“This expedition is not about the students simply jumping on a plane and being chaperoned around; it’s about them planning the whole expedition, budgeting and organising,” she said.
Every student has to do their best to raise $6000 or close to it which will cover their flights, travel within these countries, accommodation and food.
Ms Fellon said they were aiming to raise a further $3000 for the community work they would undertake in various communities.
“The expedition is aimed to challenge the personal growth of the students; they will be interacting with local children and teaching them basic English,” she said.
The group’s major project is building a water filter for a village in Laos and helping out in their local school.
“This is the first time the school has done anything like this, and we are very excited for the experience,” she said.
Students are currently fund-raising for the trip with the help of the Cranbourne Lions Club and have already received generous donations from the Blue Light Disco and Kelly’s Motor Club.
To donate, call Cranbourne Secondary College or email fallon.kellie.a@edumail.vic.gov.au.