Trek 4 Education Report - Mark and Julie Capper

​All the fundraising was over and the 8 of us hit the track on August 29, this trek made a significant difference to the elementary school at Kagi.

The 2nd Kokoda trek for Trek 4 Education Kokoda (T4EK) was again awesome, joining myself & Julie the other trekkers were Gillian & Mick, back for their second trek with us, with newbies Kelly, Ben, and Jacinta & David. 

On our way to Kokoda from Popondetta our vehicle got a flat tyre, but it was meant to be! While waiting for the spare, we met the brothers family of our driver, they were very welcoming and invited to join them, drinking fresh coconut water and sitting in their home.

Later that day we started trekking, it took a couple of days for some of us to get our track legs, but everyone was enjoying this most beautiful piece of the world.  As the days went on, 2 of the group started to have some issues, but in the true spirit of the track, they pushed on and endured the discomfort and pain to help the kids.

On September 2 we arrived at Kagi and were greeted by the children and some of the adults, and we were treated to a beautiful welcome song which reduced us all to tears, the children then placed flower necklaces around our necks which they had made earlier that day, it was very special. 

Once settle, we went to check out the school items we had purchased in POM and had been airlifted here the day before. Most of the items had arrived and we must thank Fiona from No Roads and Heliscope for helping with this project!

The next day after attending the village church service, we headed to the school and with tools in hand we commenced assembling the desks and chairs and sitting out some of the other items we had delivered. 

Once the desks and chairs were ready, the children took no time in sitting down at them, I had the feeling there will be a rush to school on Monday to see who gets the best spot.

That night the children and school teacher and some others came to our camp site and performed a sing sing, and off course we had to join in, it was just wonderful! 2 nights at Kagi just seemed not enough!

We were sad to have to leave Kagi but took with us the love and friendship of the families and some great memories.

Other villages also were presented with schools supplies along the way; stationary etc. was well received by the teachers we met along the way.

We arrived at Owers on September 10, our trek was over but the celebrations with our porters who are the most caring, helpful and fun people, who we can never thank enough every time we trek Kokoda.

I never said it would be easy, but it would be worth it, and it was, seeing our friends and the smiles on the faces of the kids, is wort every step! 

Anyone interested in helping T4EK either by joining the next trek or by attending fundraisers, please contact us. [email protected]