Kilometers for kids

Over 70 participants from Ireland took part in the Charity event to raise funds for Our Lady's Children's Hospital with Action Challenge UK and Kalypso Adventures. They trekked over 5 days through the high ranges of Western Ghats and the rain forests at Gavi.

The team

It was around 3 in the morning as we arrived at the airport to receive the guests for the biggest charity event for the year for Kalypso Adventures. In the morning, we started our journey towards the hills for our trek. Our first stop for the day was at Hornbill camp for Lunch. On our arrival, we were greeted and welcomed in traditional Kerala style with drums and dance.

At Hornbill Camp

Next day morning we walked through the tea gardens to the local school nearby the Munnar town. We had time for a short football game, distributed gifts to the students at the school.

First day walk to the school at Letchmi Estate

Kick Off

India Vs Ireland

At the school at Letchmi Estate

After a short transfer on the second day, we started our trek towards the second highest peak to the south of Himalayas. We stopped at Rhodo Valley for lunch and thereafter continued to trek till we reached Kollukumalai Tea Factory – the highest organic tea factory in the world. A 4x4 jeep transfer took us through rugged estate roads to the Hotel where we rested for the night.

regrouping at Silent Valley

Expedition Leader and Trek Leader sharing a word

Day 3: Trek through the Cardamom reserves near Mathikettan Shola National Park

Naturalist Jijo clarifying doubts about the forests

Day 4: Trek to Chaturangapara

Stream Fording

Cdr. Sam at Devils Ridge

At the Summit

Day 5: Rainforests at Gavi

At the finish line

Day 6: At Alleppey: After the trek

Morgan during the Celebratory dinner at Marari

Mallya Aditi International School - Community Project.

A 29 member group from Mallya Aditi International School, Bangalore came down to Kerala for a community project at Suryanelli. The school was guided throughout their journey by Kalypso Adventures. The group included 27 students and 2 teachers.

The Muthuvas are a prominent tribe of the Idukki district who lack proper guidance and right orientation. The students from Mallya Aditi International School help an NGO Lifetree with their project Gangothri which is aimed at supporting these Muthuvan tribes.

The group along with Lifetree, plan to build a classroom for the children of the Muthuvan tribe as a part of their Community project.

DAY 1

The Group arrived at Kochi early in the morning, and along with Kalypso started their journey to Munnar. After a long journey, breakfast en-route, they arrived at Anaerangal Camp, A camp-site set up by Kalypso Adventures, where the students could stay for the duration of the project. At the camp-site they were briefed about their project.

After lunch they set out for a visit to the Muthuvan-kudi, the tribal settlement of the Muthuvas. The students spent a good lot of time at the kudi, learning about the cultures and traditions of the tribe. They got to interact with the kids and people of the tribe as well. The group then moved on to the project site, where Lifetree had arranged people to do the basic set up of the classroom to be built - the levelling of the ground etc. They spent the rest of the day back at the camp-site - which was set up with tents for the group.

DAY 2

This morning, after breakfast, the group headed straight to the project-site and started working. They did the brick layering for the wall of the classroom. From 8:30 to 12:00 the students worked after which they headed back to the camp-site.

After lunch, they were taken to the lakeside, where they had a great time rafting.

Before heading back to the camp they paid a visit to the project-site just to overlook the work being done there. Back at the camp-site the students prepared for the cultural event to be held the next day. After a filling dinner they all headed to their tents.

DAY-3

Back at the project-site a little more help with the roof and that would complete the classroom.

The classroom was inaugurated by the tribal chief. And a cultural show was held where students from Mallya Aditi International School as well as the Muthuvan kids performed shows.

And thats the completed classroom!!