Isaac is on a mission to Timor
Bourke’s Isaac Ford has been selected as one of 16 students to take part in a program working with students in Timor Leste.
Isaac, a 16-year-old, year 11 student at St Ignatius Riverview School in Sydney, said he was excited but also a little anxious about the trip, which will involve the students immersing themselves in the culture and lifestyle of the people of Timor Leste.
“It’s known as an immersion program and that means it is run as a service and charity program, where we will be helping out in the schools we visit and getting to know the culture and way of life of these Timorese communities,” Isaac said.
“I will be joining students from schools in Melbourne and Adelaide, which like my school, place a high value on the service component of our education and development.
“It’s an opportunity for us to give back and is only offered to a few kids in our cohort, so it’s very exciting to be part of it.
“A lot of the details for me are a bit unknown, but I do know we will be working in schools teaching English and maths.
“A large part of Timor Leste’s economy is based around coffee, so we will be visiting coffee farms and learning about that aspect of their culture.
Isaac said he was battling two emotions – excitement and anxiety about the trip.
“It’s a big feat to be going overseas without parents or family, and with 16 random people, but it’s also really cool and an incredible experience to have.
“We’ll be there for 15 days which is a big stint, and for me the idea of broadening my world view and horizons is a big part of it.
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