WOHAA Winners 2024/2025 - Winners’ Trip to India
As part of the WOHAA Programme, the winners of 2024/2025, Team RKR Charities from St Paul’s School, London, travelled to Chennai for their Winners’ Trip – a deeply rewarding experience that combined service, learning, cultural exchange, and reflection.
During their visit, the team spent time at two of Wings of Hope’s partner projects, gaining first-hand insight into the realities, challenges, and aspirations of young people in the local community.
Their first visit was to SAVE Trust, where they interacted with a large group of girls in Years 10–12 who attend evening classes for academic support and exam preparation. The WOHAA boys shared their own fundraising journeys and listened to the students’ ambitions, many of whom expressed a desire to pursue government jobs, with two students sharing their dreams of becoming doctors. These conversations highlighted the shared determination and aspirations of young people across very different contexts.
The team also visited SSSIE, a school that Wings of Hope has proudly sponsored for the past 25 years, supporting over 650 pupils from challenging backgrounds. Here, the WOHAA boys immersed themselves fully in school life, building meaningful relationships within a community that Wings of Hope has partnered with for over two decades.
At SSSIE, the team planned and delivered engaging classroom sessions, including introductory lessons in French and Italian, discussions on ethics such as utilitarianism and deontology, and interactive science demonstrations explaining concepts like force and motion. These sessions were met with enthusiasm, curiosity, and laughter, creating a vibrant atmosphere of mutual learning.
Reflections from the WOHAA Winners
The impact of the visit was deeply felt by the team themselves, who reflected on how powerful it was to see the real-world outcomes of their fundraising and efforts.
Aiden shared:
“This has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to Chennai and see firsthand how the funds we raised are making a difference to other students.”
Dhruv reflected:
“Seeing how different education can be, and how much it is taken for granted, was eye-opening. Witnessing the impact of what we have done and the lives we have hopefully changed has been incredibly powerful.”
Rohaan described the trip as:
“One of the best things I’ve ever done.”
Rayaan added:
“Wings of Hope has taught us humility and helped us understand how we can support and uplift people around the world.”
Voices from SSSIE, Chennai
The visit left a strong and lasting impression on the students and staff at SSSIE, who warmly welcomed the WOHAA team and fully embraced the shared learning experience.
Hitesh Ram Reddy (Class VIII) shared:
“For my class, they taught us Italian and some gestures. We enjoyed a lot with them. They are very kind, and I really liked their way of speaking English. When I grow up, I would love to be like them.”
Tharun D (Class IX) reflected on the classroom sessions:
“They taught us about utilitarianism and deontology and we even had a debate. Then we taught them Tamil, and that session was full of fun. We learned many things from them and admired the way they spoke.”
Acts of service and everyday interactions were equally meaningful.
Srinesh (Class VI) wrote:
“The Wings of Hope team came while we were eating and served food for us happily. We felt very happy. During the classroom session, they taught us how a ball swings and how a football turns. All of us liked it very much.”
Beyond the classroom, sport played a powerful role in building connection. Friendly games of cricket, volleyball, basketball, and skating sessions helped develop trust, teamwork, and friendship, allowing the students and the WOHAA boys to bond naturally through play.
Teachers and staff expressed heartfelt appreciation for the visit, sharing that the boys’ energy, creativity, and willingness to listen filled the campus with joy and values. The SSSIE community described the visit as inspiring and energising, and expressed hope for many more visits from the WOHAA team in the future.
A particularly special moment of the trip was an invitation to share tea with the British Deputy High Commissioner at their offices in Chennai, joined by four students from SSSIE. This unique opportunity allowed the WOHAA winners to represent the programme on an international platform and celebrate the real-world impact of their fundraising and commitment.
The trip also allowed time for cultural exploration and reflection. Visits to important local landmarks, including the historic Kapaleeshwarar Temple, deepened the team’s understanding of Chennai’s rich heritage and traditions, helping to contextualise their project work and strengthen their appreciation of the communities they were engaging with.
One parent reflected on the overall experience:
“A humbling, enlightening, and eye-opening experience. This opportunity, and the memories they have made, will stay with them forever.”
The Winners’ Trip was not only a well-earned reward for the team’s dedication and fundraising success, but also a powerful reminder of the impact young people can have when given the opportunity to lead, serve, and engage globally. It stands as a testament to the values at the heart of the WOHAA Programme and the lasting change it inspires – both within communities and within the young people who take part.
