Meet the team!

Meet the Ocean Stars 2014 team and their pre trip thoughts!

SAMEENA RAMSDEN

I cannot contain my excitement to go back to Sri Lanka. I was so lucky to get the opportunity to volunteer last year but the chance to go back is something else! I can’t wait to see all the lovely students in the schools and to see Cobra (Madushan) and God (Gihan) again! I am ready to create more memories and help the other guys face the challenges of Sri Lanka

OLI SHAFTO

I’m really excited to visit Sri Lanka this year. I have never visited the eastern side of the world. I’m really looking forward to exploring a new culture and visiting a climate/country out of my comfort zone

JACOB IVERSON

I am SO excited; it’s crazy to go back to Sri Lanka! I cannot wait. I am really looking forward to planning lessons

IMOGEN BINELLI

I am really excited to be returning this year, I am hoping to visit all the children we met last year and meet new ones. I can’t wait to see the tour guides and see everyone.

SOPHIA  B

I am so excited about Sri Lanka. I can’t wait to see all the elephants and see all the wildlife. I am sure it will be an unforgettable experience, especially teaching all the children and learning about the culture. I hope it makes me understand more about how Ocean Stars help change the devastated lives in Sri Lanka. It will be interesting to try the spicy curries! I am looking forward to the hot weather.

STORMIE THRUSSELL

I am really excited to go to Sri Lanka because I want to experience a new culture. I also am looking forward to teaching children, as it will be a good experience. This trip will make me more independent and it is going to make me realize how lucky I am. I am looking forward to seeing elephants because I love animals! Most of all I am going to enjoy the trip, have new experiences and make new friends. I am pleased I am going on this trip because I can visually see what my and everyone else’s fundraising has gone towards and what a difference it will make. I am a bit nervous about what food I will be eating and how hot it will really be!

RHIANNA

I am not looking forward to the travelling as I will probably feel ill but will have lots of water (and getting chapped lips)

I am looking forward to this trip because it means something to my family and the team will make a difference to some people’s lives.

SERENA MANDAL

I am not looking forward to the long journey in the cars and I get quite bad jet lag. I’m looking forward to meeting and teaching the children in the schools because I would love to find out what life is like for them in Sri Lanka.

LUCY CHARLES

I am not looking forward to the long journey and the jet lag. I am looking forward to meeting the children and learning about their culture and way of life. Also the Sri Lankan wildlife would be great to see.

I could bring resources that would give the children more to use in their lessons & give them new words from the English language. I am feeling very excited about the trip as it will be a new adventure and a great experience

RACHEL SHIPTON

I am so excited for the trip – especially knowing that I will be helping people. My main worry is that I won’t be able to raise the money and that I won’t be able to control my class in Sri Lanka

I decided to go on the trip because I have always wanted to travel and help people who are forced to live in poverty

GEORGIE BARROW

I’m really excited about going to Sri Lanka I’ve never been before so it will be great to see the country and I’m really looking forward to meeting the little children.

I have a few fundraising ideas such as the London to Brighton bike ride and a cake sale in the London B & Q where Faye’s dad works. I want to do lots of fundraising because it’s for a good cause.

I am nervous about a few things such as the plane journey because I am just not the biggest fan of planes but apart from that and a few other little things I am just so excited!

I can’t wait to go and experience new things such as food, new culture, elephant sanctuary, new children etc. I cannot wait!

LEANNE MAIN

I am really excited about the trip to Sri Lanka. I can’t wait to stay in a completely different culture with the children to see how they live. I know it will be hard to see the conditions they live in but we will try our best to make all the children laugh & smile.

I was really interested in the trip because I am intrigued to see how other people in the world live. After going to Egypt and staying in a completely different culture for a week, I have always wanted to return to a less fortunate country to help.

Also, the places we visit sound really fun and interesting, for example the Elephant Sanctuary. I will take lots of pictures and videos and hopefully create a video of the trip to keep as a memory. Teaching the children will also be amazing, as we will get to experience what their everyday school life is like and ensure they have fun!

I know the Sri Lanka trip will be an unforgettable experience. We will have so much fun and make so many memories, whilst building friendships and helping a good charity – Ocean Stars.

FAYE SKENE

I’m feeling extremely excited about going on this trip because I can’t wait to see the differences in the landscapes and also I can’t wait to work with the children.

I’m most scared that maybe the children won’t like me; I know of course the children will love us being there, but I still have that thought.

From what I’ve heard from the people who went last year, the trip sounds super amazing and especially because I’m going with people I’m close to, my experience can be shared with them too.

The things that we will see out in Sri Lanka sound so exciting and I really can’t wait to see everything and see all of the amazing animals and buildings. Also, I think the culture will be fascinating to learn.

MR WALKER

I’m looking forward to seeing a totally different country from our own, the sights, sounds and the people.

I’m hoping that we will be able to raise lots of money through fundraising and donations so that we can take lots of musical instruments to the students.