Learners' Hogsback Hiking Trip
What does Inkululeko do?
Inkululeko supports students in the historically marginalized Makhanda, South Africa township to help them succeed academically and provide guidance regarding preparation and application for university. Our programs also emphasize teaching computer literacy to the learners, which is a valuable and essential skill in today’s world. Not only does Inkululeko strive to assist our students with their academic achievements, but we also encourage learners’ social and emotional growth through activities like trips and exchange programs.
Outdoor trips for our learners can have a variety of emotional and psychological benefits. According to Gregory Bratman, PhD at the University of Washington, “…contact with nature is associate with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress,” (American Psychological Association, Vol. 51, No. 3, 2020). To support our learners’ emotional and social well-being we plan to continue offering trips like the Hogsback Hiking Trip. Personal flourishment is just as important as academic success, and the two often go hand-in-hand.
Hogsback Hiking Trip
On Oct. 18 and 19, Inkululeko hosted a hiking trip for the grade 12 learners from Ntsika Secondary and Nathaniel Nyaluza Secondary in Hogsback, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
The goal of the first activity on the day of arrival was to establish the value of teamwork. The instructor put everyone into groups of five. Each group was mixed up to encourage learners to branch out and meet new people. We talked about how to work as a group and how to support one another. Most importantly, the students learned the importance of trust in group success. Both the learners and employees learned a lot from this engaging activity.
Our second activity put what we learned into practice. Group members worked together to prevent their teammates from falling off a ropes course by passing ropes and plank bridges.
Students work in teams to help each other through a ropes and planks course.
Students work together to cross the ropes and planks course.
For the third activity, each group chose one team member they trusted to cross water and mud using an elevated rope ladder.
One of the students works to cross the water on a rope ladder after being chosen by teammates.
The fourth activity was a hike to the Madonna and Child waterfalls. The students learned about the history of the waterfalls and took photos. We got back late and ate a supper of braai and salads.
Students hiked to the Madonna and Child waterfalls.
Before heading to bed, the learners bonded through conversation and reflection. They expressed their thoughts and feelings about their daily activities like school, their social lives, struggles they face at home and anything else they felt comfortable sharing. They also discussed their hopes for the future and what they wish for one another. This encouraged students to be vulnerable and show compassion for one another which is vital for emotional growth.
The next morning, we completed a long eight-kilometer hike which rejuvenated the group. We had two more activities before heading back to Grahamstown.
Overall, the trip’s success was far beyond anything we could have hoped for! Not only did the learners enjoy their time, but the employees did as well! The trip was extremely valuable for the grade 12 learners. During their emotional conversations the first night, they expressed how essential they believe their studies are and how they want to remain dedicated to their academics. It was a fun and educational trip that helped situate the grade 12 learners for the matric exam by reinforcing their dedication to their personal growth.