During the summer holidays, Year 11 student Seren travelled to South Africa to take part in a Round Square International Service Project.
Round Square is a global network of over 280 schools dedicated to developing students into courageous, compassionate and globally-minded leaders. Since becoming a proud member of the Round Square network in 2019, Kingsley students and staff have embraced the many opportunities it offers for experiential learning and international collaboration.
Seren’s adventure began at Heathrow Airport, where she navigated her way through the terminal before boarding an 11-hour flight to Johannesburg. After a night’s rest in a hotel, she embarked on an eight-hour bus journey to the host school, Tiger Kloof, located in Vryburg. It was from this base that students took part in a range of service, cultural and leadership activities.
A key feature of the Round Square experience is the Baraza group. “The word Baraza comes from East Africa and means a public meeting,” Seren explains. “Round Square adopted the term after a service project in that region, and it’s been used ever since to describe the daily group gatherings.” Seren was one of ten students in her Baraza group, which included participants from France, New Zealand, America, Germany and Australia. “We played games, talked about our different countries and cultures, shared the highlights of the day, and planned for the next day’s activities,” she recalls. “It was a great way to connect and learn with others.”
The main service project during the trip involved building a primary school in Matlapaneng, a small community around 20 minutes from Tiger Kloof. The students worked on different parts of the construction each day. “Some days I was helping build the roof and others I was mixing concrete,” says Seren. “I think my favourite job was building the rabbit cage and getting to watch the rabbits run around. Someone thought it would be a good idea to put a chicken in the cage. We hadn’t been asked to build a roof, so it flew away! We ended up chasing it for an hour!”
Although the pupils were not on site during the build, the group had the chance to meet them at a celebration dinner. “The children sang their school song for us. It was a lovely way to end the project.”
Cultural immersion was another key part of the experience. One evening, the group was treated to a traditional South African dinner. “We ate locally cooked meats, which were delicious, and had some nice drinks,” says Seren.
The students also had the opportunity to explore the natural beauty surrounding Tiger Kloof. “We walked up a mountain to take in the views of the school campus. There was a flooded quarry which is home to all the baboons. Sadly, we didn’t see any on our hike, but we did see some walking around the school. There was also a lake full of flamingos.”
The group also engaged in creative and reflective activities. “We painted artwork for the school, which was a fun and creative way to give back to the community,” says Seren. “On the last day, we held a talent show where everyone got to share their skills and enjoy each other’s performances.”
They also visited the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg and took a guided walk through Soweto. “The museum was a powerful and eye-opening experience,” she reflects. “Learning more about the history and culture of the area really put our service work into context.”
Reflecting on the experience, Seren says, “Round Square offers such amazing opportunities for students to be a part of, and the chance to make long-lasting relationships.” She has stayed in touch with several of the friends she made on the trip. “I even met up with one of them in London. We went shopping and did an escape room together.”
When asked about the highlight of her trip, Seren talks about the unexpected joy of a having digital detox. “Having a three-week break from my phone and just enjoying socialising with others and playing lots of fun card games. It was a real highlight.”
Seren wholeheartedly recommends the Round Square experience to other students. “It has boosted my confidence and taught me new skills, including how to wash my clothes in a sink!”