Getting comfortable, being uncomfortable with 180 Degrees Trust

On the 18-20th of May 2021, the Kelliher Trust supported a 180 Degrees Adventure for young students from a Christchurch boy’s High School. The students chosen to attend this trip were hand selected by the school because they were all facing challenges in their personal lives and this was having an impact on their engagement, attendance, and behaviour at school. The school had identified that what these kids need is an opportunity away from school guided by the 180 Degrees Trust. The trip selected was one that would challenge the young people and represent an achievement that would take determination, motivation, and support from each other. They just might have some fun along the way also. Ultimately the aim was to make an experience they would never forget, an experience they could reflect back onto when they inevitably faced challenge again in the future. The takeaway would be that they can overcome it, and when adversity arises you can face it and when there is good support around you, overcoming that challenge is much easier.

The students had signed up to complete ‘The Hope Kiwi Trip’ which is one of the longest single Tramps 180 Degrees completes. It’s a 33km two-day trip in the Lewis Pass National Park with a potential 9km add on, if the Hurunui River is too high to cross safely. Giving this trip a possible total of 42km from start to finish (the same distance as a Marathon). The distance is not the only challenge, with rough Bush terrain covering the first 7km’s and a steep climb on the second day, the physical challenge of this route is high.

The young people that completed this 42km trip along with their schoolteacher overcame the challenges of the Hope Kiwi, the long days had them walking for a few hours through the night on both days and due to heavy rain two days before the trip, the group walked the additional 9km’s to cross the swing bridge. This journey was an exceptional challenge for these students in a setting where quitting was not an option, these young people knew it was going to be hard and learnt a great 180 lesson. We choose to do the hard things because we must get comfortable being uncomfortable if we are to overcome challenges.

All of the students said they were shocked that they completed the challenge, which they never thought they would be able to. They enjoyed the simple things which they would have taken for granted before, hot food, hot showers and a warm fire. All of the group rated the experience as Valuable. The teacher accompanying them found the experience eye opening in terms of understanding the challenges the students face outside of school and plans to take that understanding into his classroom. We are hopeful that these students will be proud to have completed this trip and be motivated to return to school with a sense of achievement.