Schoolchildren from Reunion Island visit Field and Study

Youngsters from Reunion Island had an exciting time when they spent some time in Parkmore.

This when 21 teens from the Oasis middle school on the island recently attended a holiday programme at the Field and Study Centre.

The teenagers were selected to participate in the programme at the centre to take part in the English Access Gauteng programme, play soccer and netball and learn self-defence.

They arrived on 4 July and had activities planned for the time they were at the centre which they left on 11 July.

Sandrine Lacroix, who teaches German and accompanied the children on the trip, said they organised it because they believe it is important for their charges to see what happens in other countries. “They live on an island and most of them never leave the island or get the chance to go abroad.”

Lacroix said they come from underprivileged backgrounds and wouldn’t be able to afford a trip like this. “The project started two-and-a-half years ago with the children raising funds for the trip.”

She said they have about two hours of English lessons a week at school, and the purpose of the trip was for extra lessons and the experience.

The children aged between 14 and 16 enjoyed themselves and Lacroix said they visited Gold Reef City, Pilansberg, the Rhino and Lion Park, Mandela’s house, the Apartheid Museum and also the Johannesburg Zoo.

The English course started at 9.30am in the mornings and then they had the afternoons free to go to various sights. “It was just great, we spent a lot of our personal time to give them the chance to experience the country and it is great to see the children happy with big smiles.”

Lacroix said she is very proud of them and the way they learned how to be social and live in a group.

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