Hi. My name is Jo Lupton and I am 24 years old. I currently work as a PE teacher and am in my first year of teaching at St George’s School in Harpenden. St George's School is a co-educational day and boarding school in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, with over 1000 pupils including 100 boarders and an academic Sixth Form of 300. It is a very good school with a good sporting reputation, particularly in Lacrosse and Rugby, its main sports.
My life and passions largely revolve around sport. From a young age I loved my sport and was happy to try my hand at anything! I have been very fortunate to have experienced sport at the highest level, highlights including co-captaining the U19 England Lacrosse squad to the World Champs in 2003, a real memory! Yes I love the competition, and in particular the winning, but you can’t beat the feeling of being part of a team. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people who are all working together to achieve a common goal is for me where the excitement lies! You work together, and feel unbeatable!
My life and passions largely revolve around sport. From a young age I loved my sport and was happy to try my hand at anything! I have been very fortunate to have experienced sport at the highest level, highlights including co-captaining the U19 England Lacrosse squad to the World Champs in 2003, a real memory! Yes I love the competition, and in particular the winning, but you can’t beat the feeling of being part of a team. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people who are all working together to achieve a common goal is for me where the excitement lies! You work together, and feel unbeatable!
It is this that has spurred me on to join the work of SCI for a 12 day trip to Kenya.It is through Lacrosse I met Storm. A lively character with a bubbly personality, and a great person to be around! On returning from her trip with SCI to Kenya at Easter she got in contact with friends through Facebook, trying to spread the word of her trip, the experience and the amazing work that SCI carries out. I only had to read the first paragraph of her group entitled ‘SCI The trip of a lifetime’ and I had caught the bug.
When I left University I decided that at some point I would love to support the work of a charity abroad. This along with my sporting passion seemed to fit perfectly with the experience Storm had described. Helping to improve the lives of people, especially young and needy people, through sport.
Although it is something I really want to do, making the final decision to go has been hard. It is a very expensive trip, in excess of £1400 and I would be travelling out there on my own. After much deliberation I am taking the plunge, and feel it will probably be the best decision I have ever made!
I am flying out to Nairobi on 26th July 2008 and cannot wait! My main aim is to get stuck into whatever I can while I am out there, and assist in any way I can. I don’t want to stand on the side lines and observe the poverty, and children in need of care, I want to help. I am looking forward to interacting with the children, and getting the chance to see their way of life and culture. The chance to teach and coach the children through different sports is something I am really excited about, offering a different approach to what they might currently be experiencing. My current experience of teaching is at St George’s, where equipment and resources are plentiful, I can only imagine how different it will be. In choosing to stay with Kenyan families associated with the charity I am hoping to get a fuller experience of the way of life over there and in turn hope to form closer relationships with both adults and children.
Through school tuck shops and personal fund raising I am taking out approximately £300 to give to assist with the work of SCI. It is not much, but Alan (Director of SCI) has assured me it’s like Tesco’s... ‘every little helps’ and any amount will make a real difference! I am also planning to take out various bits of sporting and writing equipment which I have gathered over time.
As well as excitement I do feel anxious about the experience. I am trying to prepare myself for the shock of what I might encounter. I have been told that the biggest shock will be how little those I am visiting have and yet how grateful they are for everything. I cannot imagine coming back to England and reality with the same views and outlook on life.
All in all I cannot wait for this experience to start, and I am confident that I will come back with not only a fantastic experience under my belt, but a more sophisticated understanding of the lives and situations of those less fortunate than myself.
Before I go I would like to thank my family and friends for their support and enthusiasm towards this trip. I aim to get the max from this experience for both myself and those that I meet.
When I left University I decided that at some point I would love to support the work of a charity abroad. This along with my sporting passion seemed to fit perfectly with the experience Storm had described. Helping to improve the lives of people, especially young and needy people, through sport.
Although it is something I really want to do, making the final decision to go has been hard. It is a very expensive trip, in excess of £1400 and I would be travelling out there on my own. After much deliberation I am taking the plunge, and feel it will probably be the best decision I have ever made!
I am flying out to Nairobi on 26th July 2008 and cannot wait! My main aim is to get stuck into whatever I can while I am out there, and assist in any way I can. I don’t want to stand on the side lines and observe the poverty, and children in need of care, I want to help. I am looking forward to interacting with the children, and getting the chance to see their way of life and culture. The chance to teach and coach the children through different sports is something I am really excited about, offering a different approach to what they might currently be experiencing. My current experience of teaching is at St George’s, where equipment and resources are plentiful, I can only imagine how different it will be. In choosing to stay with Kenyan families associated with the charity I am hoping to get a fuller experience of the way of life over there and in turn hope to form closer relationships with both adults and children.
Through school tuck shops and personal fund raising I am taking out approximately £300 to give to assist with the work of SCI. It is not much, but Alan (Director of SCI) has assured me it’s like Tesco’s... ‘every little helps’ and any amount will make a real difference! I am also planning to take out various bits of sporting and writing equipment which I have gathered over time.
As well as excitement I do feel anxious about the experience. I am trying to prepare myself for the shock of what I might encounter. I have been told that the biggest shock will be how little those I am visiting have and yet how grateful they are for everything. I cannot imagine coming back to England and reality with the same views and outlook on life.
All in all I cannot wait for this experience to start, and I am confident that I will come back with not only a fantastic experience under my belt, but a more sophisticated understanding of the lives and situations of those less fortunate than myself.
Before I go I would like to thank my family and friends for their support and enthusiasm towards this trip. I aim to get the max from this experience for both myself and those that I meet.
11 comments:
Hi Jo! My name is Emma and I went on the trip at Easter. It really is amazing and you'll come across some incredible people. Have a brilliant time and don't be scared, you'll be very well looked after!
Emma x
Jo,
Have a fantastic "Once in a lifetime trip". They will just love you as much as we all do.
Keep smiling
Becky, Bob, Charlotte and Harry
xx
Hi Jo
Think that you are brilliant to do this. I look forward to hearing about your experience.
Take care
Lynne
Hi Sweetie! Thinking of you all the time and send you all our love! Your journey so far must have been very exhausting and you must be very tired. Hopefully you are getting a good night's sleep ready for tomorrow's busy schedule. Take care and hope the bugs don't bite! We are watching closely for your updates on your blog to hear all about your experience. Night night X X
Hi Jo Mum here again! Issi has asked me to pass on a message to you....."Hi Jo - so pleased you have found such a wonderful and positive way of using your many talents. Good things happen to and for good people, and you are one of the best. Take care, and lots of love and luck - Issi X "
Hi Jo Wow you certainly are a game bird......what an incredible experience. We look forward to following your trip and enjoying the tales of your experience with you. Take care with all our love Leonie, Rod James & Jodie xxxxx
hi jo, wow cant belive what your doing, it really is gonna be a once in a lifetime trip. Look forward to reading about all your experiences.
love ya
Jodie xxx
Hi Jo,
You will have highs and lows on this trip. I remember that feeling whilst I was in India.
Trips like this can be a little lonely, be strong and remember that this can also be time to reflect on life.
Just enjoy!!! and remember we are all thinking about you and are all VERY proud of you.
Love you lots Big nose!
Becky
xx
Hi Jo
Am enjoying reading about your action packed experience must be quite humbling to see how grateful and happy they are to receive gifts that we regard as very simple.Good on you girl....
with love Leonie xx
Jo Jo,
I knew that the kids would love you - keep going and get stuck into everything. It is only natural to feel a little lonely at times - try not to think too much!
You will look back on this as the most amazing opportunity - so so jealous of you!
Send Fred, Mike, Justin etc my love - when you get to PK school please cooach the boys netball team - they are adoarable and so keen to learn! Also speak to Rose about the email exchange as your school maybe interested! Remember to find Eric Tutti adn tell him to keep running!
Thinking of you - keep smiling.
Storm xx
Post a Comment