LASA TRIP

Sue Kim

Are you looking for a way to make your spring break fun as much as possible? Are you searching for special service opportunities out of school? Then, the TCIS LASA trip is definitely for you!

The LASA trip, abbreviated for Love All Serve All, is a trip where around 20 of teachers and 8-10th grade students at TCIS go to different designated areas around the world to serve those in need in those countries. This trip takes place during the spring break for exactly 1 week Before the trip, students are required to pay 1,600,000 won in order to participate, which covers the fee for the flights, food, as well as donation. For the past few years, the school has commonly visited the same countries due to our association with the nation's service organizations: Boracay, Manila, and the Philippines. This year there were 3 options for students to choose, which was Manila for 8th graders and Boracay, Philippines or Chiang Mai, Vietnam for high school students. You may think that the options are too limited, and that is in fact true A long time ago, TCIS used to go to more various countries such as India as well. However, during recent years, the LASA trip was unfortunately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now in spring of 2023, although the options are more limited, the LASA trip has begun again for the first time in 3 years!

This year I participated in the Boracay LASA trip for the first time With this experience, I can share my experience and information about what we actually do!

Among the 5 days we have (excluding the first and last day of the week for traveling between countries), 2 days were spent on serving for the minorities in a very rural area (on the mountain) For the rest of the 3 days were for serving, especially the children, in the local community.

For 2 days, the Boracay LASA team went to the Ati tribes living up in the mountains of a different island from Boracay. People often say that this is the hardest part during the entire trip because even in the arriving process to the Ati tribe’s village involved taking a van, boat, trikes, and walking continuously Hiking up to the highest part of the mountains requires a lot of strength so it is difficult for students lacking stamina. However, once they reach the village they all enjoy the beautiful scenery of the entire region. Up in the mountain, the students spend time and have fun with the children in the tribe using the toys the LASA team brought, after the children return from church For example, we play with bubbles, jump ropes, make bracelets, frisbee, etc. In addition, the Ati tribe also prepared their local food of pork for the LASA team which we all enjoyed so much All the people were so welcoming and had wonderful hospitality!

For the other 3 days, we mostly stayed in Boracay island and visited churches or feeding sites where we spent time with the local children. The students got closer with the children by doing physical activities and games together and the near beach. Then, we visited their feeding site where each student took care of 1-2 children specifically and helped them eat the food we have brought Although it did feel a bit awkward at first to be with children we do not know well, as time passed, the LASA team all became friends with them. Listening to the children’s laughter and seeing their smiles brightened by day and let me forget all of the tiredness coming from the hot weather.

Furthermore, another amazing part about the LASA trip is that the students get individual free time for a few hours every day. Hence, the students not only serve others during the entire week, but also have enough time to rest, enjoy their time in the new country, and learn the unique culture of the nation! In fact, the students even got to play beach volleyball with the locals in Boracay, which was a great time of interaction.

In conclusion, the LASA trip is not only a good opportunity for you to serve others with love, but also to enjoy your time with your friends and experience new cultures such as the cuisine Actually, there are even more activities you get to do other than the ones I showed you today! So, if you were hesitating to sign up for the LASA trip this year and ended up not doing it, go ahead and join us next year! It is true that you will not be able to spend time working on your school assignments over the break, but the experience you gain here is very worth it It is important for you to realize that there is so much more value in serving and caring for others, not just caring for your own grades

Always remember to Love all, serve all!