Tocumwal school teacher Chelsea Sutton has returned from a “life changing“ 10-day adventure.
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Chelsea was teaching English to students in Vanuatu, documenting the journey, the emotions, and the beauty of the surroundings in Vanuatu.
She hopes by sharing her experience, she will inspire others to take similar opportunities and make the same incredible impacts in the lives of students and teachers alike.
“This calling to help people has become an integral part of my identity and fuels my desire to create meaningful change in the world,” she said.
“Making a regular commitment to helping people is not just a choice, it is a fundamental aspect of who I am.
“I am excited to embark on this lifelong journey of making a difference.”
When Chelsea was herself a student, Resilience Project founder Hugh van Cuylenburg visited her school and spoke to the classes about the time he spent overseas.
“He showed us a portrait of a child from India that spoke a million words to me,” Chelsea said.
“Hugh changed my outlook on a lot of things, and since then gratitude and mindfulness have been a large part of my life.
“Since hearing him, I have always wanted to do something like this.”
Chelsea was born in Tocumwal and spent her first years at a local school before moving to Echuca to complete her education.
She moved to Wagga Wagga to study, before returning to her place of birth.
“I was a little torn with what I wanted, but I knew creativity and helping people were important to me,” Chelsea said.
“Creativity was my outlet, and I loved creating portraits of people that could somehow tell a story.”
Chelsea said being bullied throughout her own school years was a big part of her decision to be a teacher.
“I completed my Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Photography) and worked as a photographer before completing my Masters in Primary Teaching (Arts),” she said.
“Things finally started to shift for me, and I fell totally in love with helping kids and their parents.
“I did miss the creative outlet, and I still knew deep down I needed to do more.
“For years, I searched for a way to get overseas to a country that needed me, then I stumbled across Global Teacher earlier this year and it lit a fire within me.”
Chelsea reached out to the Tocumwal Rotary Club, Tocumwal Lions Club, and the South Wagga Rotary Club for support, then worked hard to collect the rest of the funds herself.
“I shared my story with them and will be forever grateful for their sponsorship,” Chelsea said.
After arriving in Vanuatu on June 30, Chelsea spent a few days seeing the sights and getting acclimated to the area before beginning her duties as a teacher on July 2.
She said the opportunity to collaborate with the local teachers was a “mutually enriching experience”, and she hopes the exchange of ideas and strategies can enhance the quality of education in the classrooms of both countries.
“I had the privilege of helping the students acquire knowledge and skills that will benefit them in their future, and witnessing their growth was immensely rewarding,” she said.
“Not once did I hear a student say no or walk out of a classroom.
“Beyond the classroom, I formed deep and lasting friendships with both students and colleagues, forging connections that transcended cultural boundaries.”
Chelsea said the entire journey - from funding and organising the trip, to taking the plunge alone, then coming home with a new outlook on life - has nurtured her passion for making a positive difference in the world. Now, she never wants to stop.
“The most challenging part of my experience was finding the courage to go, and then finding the courage to let go of my students, colleagues and the whole team at Global Teacher,” she said.
“I am so proud of myself for not only organising my way to this experience but for stepping foot into the airport alone, finding my own way to Vanuatu, sitting down to dinner alone at a restaurant for the first time and for immersing myself in a new and unfamiliar environment.
“I am so proud of myself for embracing this opportunity, not holding anything back, and allowing myself to grow both personally and professionally.”
Chelsea also commented on the resilience of the children - particularly when they had next to nothing, with the classrooms practically bare in comparison to our own.
“At times they would kick around an empty bottle in place of a soccer ball.
“Yet, every goal they scored, they screamed with joy. Their faces lit up.
“Every piece of knowledge they were offered, their faces lit up.
“Despite having little or none at all, they offered us their food every day. Their spirits are unbreakable. Their strength is remarkable.
“They continue to embrace life with open hearts, and really helped me to see the power of resilience and a positive outlook.
“Being a part of Global Teacher allowed me to combine my passion for teaching and my love of photography and art.
“Creativity is a powerful tool to raise awareness, inspire others, and create a lasting impact, which I hope is something I have done.”
Columnist