Going on an EDGE trip has always been a dream of mine. Since I first came to Shawnigan, I can remember people talking about their experiences and the difference that they made in the lives of the people who have had the opportunity to visit these cool places around the world. 

 

Looking out of the plane window as we left, I couldn’t believe our trip was almost over. It seemed crazy that just a couple days ago I was making bracelets with kids and painting a house. This trip had been one of the best experiences of my life, and I was so happy I got to share it with this group. I am grateful that I got the opportunity to go on the EDGE trip, and I would recommend that if you get the chance to take one yourself, do it.

 

What does EDGE stand for? It stands for Engagement, Development, Gratitude and Experience.

 

First, I want to talk about engagement. Over the course of the trip, we engaged with culture, each other, the people around us, and so much more, but one of the highlights for me had to be our engagement with the kids. When we got to the orphanage and the school, the kids would just run up to us and want to give us hugs. It was hard to believe that that I felt so close to the kids after just a couple of days at both SOS Village and Hammersmith Preparatory School. It’s crazy that a little soccer, bracelet-making, hair-braiding and games can bring you so close to some kids you had never met before. I think the hardest part for me was when we had to say goodbye; I felt sad inside, but I also recognized that I had made an impact in their lives that they might never forget.

 

Following this is development. I believe that I have developed a lot as a person on this trip. You hear stories from trips similar to mine, and think, “That's so cool,” and “I wish I was there,” but to go out and experience these trips first-hand gives you a sense of who you are and how you work and can adapt to new environments. You also get to learn about their culture and where they come from which I find such an amazing experience and another highlight of my trip.

 

Next, we have gratitude. I feel that coming home from trips like this, you always feel grateful for what you have. I know, personally, I couldn’t be more grateful for my family, school, friends and the opportunities that I have been given in my life. When going to these places, you also realize that you have everything you could ask for. Now, of course, I may not always be happy with where I am in my life, but then I can also think back to this trip – think about the kids I met and their stories, and the questions they asked me. I’ll think about them on bad days when I feel down, knowing that at such a young age they have been through so much.

 

Finally, we have experience. This trip was a life-changing experience. As I said before, it’s hard to put into words how I feel, especially knowing that I’ve made an impact in the lives of those kids in such a short amount of time. It makes me feel fulfilled, but it also makes me sad to know that I’ll probably never see them again. Overall, this was one of the best experiences of my life and I hope that I get to go on more adventures like this in the future.