126 hours later, our ONE THOUSAND (PLUS!) cranes are complete! :D
We want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last two weeks!
It has been definitely some of the hardest days, with some serious sleep deprivation, but it has been so rewarding in so many ways! SO super stoked, but so ready for a sleep in :)
Much love,
ELDP Royals 2015
This morning marks a week since the Royal Blue team commenced 6am wake-up calls for crane-making. Needless to say, I personally have learnt alot from this so far:
a) As evident from our Gallery and from my own experience, it is amazing how quickly the paper cranes have improved in quantity and quality. They say it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in something, but 7 hours is definitely on the road to success!
b) Earlier wake-ups really need to be compensated with earlier bedtimes, where possible. This is definitely something I will be working on this coming week as we approach the end of TWW - midnight just won't cut it!
c) There is true beauty in doing something for others, no matter how small the task may be. One of the Good Morning texts I sent to my team at 6am this week said: "You will understand hoe precious little things, seemingly of no value in themselves, can be loved and prized beyond all price, when they convey the love and thoughtfulness of a good heart" - Edwin Booth. (Deep, I know). But this quote really resonated in me as I scrolled through websites searching "inspirational quotes about why we do service." This beauty isn't just in the spectacular sunrise I saw this morning (which I definitely would have missed out on if I wasn't doing TWW!), but also in the act of nine young people uniting and supporting each other to sacrifice one of their favourite things (sleep) for a good cause.
Thank you all for your support, one week to go and I can't wait for all the goodness it has in store!
- Sophie
Let's make this personal. Here's a quick bio of the nine of us that make up Royal Blue Team!
Lizzie is studying Law, English and History this year (Phew! That will keep her busy). This is what she wanted to say about the program: ‘It has been an honour to be a part of ELDP for 2015 and something I find particularly valuable about this programme is the opportunities we are given to make friends, serve others and grow as individuals. It hasn't been easy waking up at 6:00, however I am surviving and the challenge is an enjoyable one, especially with a great bunch of people for support, a remarkable cause to encourage us along, and the knowledge that whatever money we raise will go towards helping young people in Christchurch.’ Well-said Lizzie!
Ribu is originally from Nepal but is proud to call himself a New Zealander. He went to Christchurch Boys' High School and got into this programme through the Emerging Leaders Dux scholarship. Not shy of hard work he has gone straight into studying the first professional year of Civil Engineering. An awesome achievement! He also is an avid cricket fan and managed to miss the first day of the programmes leadership retreat because he was watching a game. We forgive him though because he carried us in the sporting round of the annual ELDP pub-quiz!
Rosie’s first year at Uni sees her doing communications and political science as she is trying to get her fair share of arguments and opinions in! She is a local in North Canterbury and loves spending her time playing sports, listening to all the great tunes out there and occasionally blobbing out to a good movie. Like everyone in the team she wants to thank you for taking the time to help a great cause!
Daniel, the member of the team that definitely makes our meetings light hearted, is cracking into the study majoring in sociology and economics. Just like Rosie, he enjoys filling his ear space with Taylor Swift’s sweet tunes. He’ll “happily fill Taylor Swifts blank space any day” – what ever that means. He is originally from Wellington so enjoys long walks on the beach and despite this easy-going description he is a very on-to-it guy!
Chloe is a bit of star…. She has managed to escape Auckland and has made it to Canterbury this year to study astronomy (get it!) She is an absolute master at the paper crane folding and diligently taught the team the ‘fool-proof-best-method’ for their construction. She has an awesome assertive personality and, like all good students, ready to speak her mind!
Millie also studies Law but along side with a BA in geography and sociology. She is a South Islander but not a local as she grew up on a farm and boarded at Craighead Diocesan School in Timaru. There must've been something about the wide-open spaces from where she was born in Wales because she is all about running. Lucky for us she did because running is what gave her the opportunity to be part ELDP this year!
Liam is starting studying his first year of mechanical engineering and he is a fan of all things fast – Cars, rockets you name it. Just like Ribu, Liam is massive fan of cricket. I’m going to suggest this love for sport was nurtured in his home-town of Cromwell where they host the very serious ‘NZ National Cherry Spitting Championships’. He is also and academic fellow though and is part of this Emerging Leaders program due to the success at his high school where he was awarded dux last year!
And finally there is Sophie, my counterpart, the leader of leaders. She is local Canterbury girl and is in her final year of her double major, a bachelor of science majoring in economics and biology. This is the third year she has been part of the Emerging Leaders Development Program and in all three years she’s been in Royal Blue Team! Represent! She is a fun loving, hard working, caring person and makes my job a whole lot easier – Saying that though the whole team is awesome! I’m lucky to have them!
So then there is me, Alex. I am a mechanical engineering student and was born and bred in Hawkes Bay. I enjoy the out doors and since I don’t own a car if you’re a local you might see me biking all over Christchurch – Look out for a bright green helmet! (Actually do look out for the bike green helmet it’s scary how some people drive!) Anyway I digress. To sum up I just want to take the time to thank everyone who’s supporting this fundraiser and if you’re still reading you’ve made it to the end of this massive update, bravo! Look out for more information about White Elephant Trust going up soon. Thanks again!!
Alex
Today is the third morning of crane-making, as we all get up bright and early to crack on with our service project.
Yesterday morning was spent all together as a team, practising our crane-making skills over breakfast. We made our 100th crane, spent some great quality time together and brainstormed the best ways to fundraise and use our time to most benefit White Elephant Trust.
An amazing way to start the day with a fantastic bunch of young people, fired up to make a difference!
- Sophie
