A Warm Welcome:
Our treasurer, Matthew, arrived safely in Darjeeling on 15th October for his very first visit. A warm welcome was in order, and our project manager, Aashwin, did this in style by treating Matthew to a lovely tea tasting session. Darjeeling tea is famous around the world and is often known as the “Champagne of teas”.
A Mission to Connect:
Matthew acclimated quickly to the Darjeeling altitude (2045m above sea level, compared with 20.4m in his hometown of Lincoln) and began his mission to connect with our sponsored children by visiting Assembly of God School, home to 10 of our hardworking children. They had great fun showing Matthew around, and chatting about their school lives and ambitions.
The following day at Prabhudas School, Matthew was impressed by the well-behaved children and the stunning decorations that adorned the school. His next stop that afternoon was Mahatma Gandhi High School, where he was warmly welcomed by both the amazing staff and the incredible students. Education really is the key to a brighter future, and these dedicated schools are shining examples of this.
The Food Craft Institute:
Matthew’s next day began with a visit to the Food Craft Institute, a place where our sponsored vocational students can follow their culinary dreams. Here, he had the chance to meet our current batch of illustrious hotel management trainees. Their dedication and passion for the art of hospitality was clear and we can confidently say that the future of the industry is in good hands.
KBM – A Meeting with the London2Singapore Team:
Following on from the FCI visit, Matthew’s luck continued as he found himself in the company of the London2Singapore team during their visit to KBM. Matthew had the opportunity to engage with Tom and his team as they shared stories of their adventures from 2 months on the road from London to Darjeeling.
A Spectacular Show by the Children:
One of the best moments of the day was the spectacular show put on by the children. Their performance was a beautiful gesture of hospitality and warmth, designed to honour the arrival of the London2Singapore team. The children’s enthusiasm and talent brought a genuine smile to Matthew’s face, reinforcing the importance of the values that bind us all together.
Matthew’s first trip to Darjeeling was a wonderful on-the-ground introduction to all the projects in which DCT is involved, and he had a fantastic time making warm connections with the many people there who help to turn our goal of helping disadvantaged children and young people into a reality.
