For many of the eight Great Lakes College students who travelled to Vanuatu last month it was an impossible task.

“I couldn’t pick one thing, the whole experience was mind-blowing,” Jesse Poole said.

“It was amazing and I’m already planning to go back,” was Rachel Accar’s response.

For Alex Odgers the highlight was a precious gift from a young school student – recalling it brought tears to her eyes.

“She gave me a small woven basket with a gift inside and I didn’t open it until I got home (her village home for the duration of the trip). Inside was one of her marbles. I’d played marbles with her during the week, and she told me she only had four because they were so expensive – I cried my eyes out.”

It was this generosity and willingness to share what little material possessions they had, that touched the group so deeply.

“They don’t have much but what they do have, they are willing to share,” explained Alex.

“And they’re so happy – happier with nothing compared to people who have what we’d call ‘everything’,” added Natalie Ledgeder.

The ten-day trip to Vanuatu’s Tanna Island was part cultural exchange, part humanitarian project.

In the months leading up to their departure the year 10 students, most of whom are members of the School Student Leadership Team (which has replaced the traditional captain and vice-captain system), raised funds and purchased items to take with them.

The soccer balls were a huge hit at the school they visited.

“They play soccer all the time – one of the kids was named Juninho after the Brazilian soccer player,” explained Jesse.

The young adventurers were accompanied by three Great Lakes College teachers including English/History head teacher Fran Ballard.

Also a member of the Rotary Club of Forster on Wallis Ms Ballard had travelled to Tanna Island as part of prior humanitarian visits.

With so much talk of the generosity and warm, friendly nature of the Vanuatu people Ms Ballard was also keen to point out the special nature of our local delegates.

“These kids are also very special and that’s why it was such an incredible experience – they’re the special ones too.”

The group talked of two ‘crying days’ – one when they said goodbye to their host village and the other when leaving their host school.

“We weren’t prepared for how friendly and generous they’d be, it was so sad saying goodbye,” said Jade Alexander.

“They were all so friendly that we made such strong connections over a short period of time,” added Jesse