BENDIGO Technical Education College students flew to the Northern Territory last Thursday to begin an adventure of a lifetime.
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The trip will take the 15 students to the remote community of Lajamanu.
Situated about 890 kilometres from Darwin, it will come as a shock to the system.
The youths will be split into two groups for the duration of the trip - one helping with construction and building maintenance and the other will be working in classrooms.
BTEC teacher and trip organiser Brooke Warren said the trip was an amazing opportunity for students.
"Living and working in a remote community in the Northern Territory is quite challenging and confronting," she said.
She said the students had been fundraising for months with a fete day, trivia nights, a movie night, barbecues, raffles and a chocolate drive.
The students raised $15,000 for the trip.
She said the local community had shown generous support towards the school so far.
They gain a high level of personal experience and community involvement...
- Kellie Baines
BTEC manager Kellie Baines said the trip would be beneficial to the students' futures.
"They gain a high level of personal experience and community involvement while also achieving learning outcomes as part of their VCAL certificate," she said.
"There is significant individual benefits including personal growth, leadership skills and an expansion on knowledge of rural indigenous communities."
She said the students would be involved in a broad range of activities.
"The students develop their interpersonal, teamwork and organisational skills as they plan, co-ordinate and manage all of the fundraising events," Ms Baines said.
"Students are able to transition their skills into life experience and give their time and ability to the Lajamanu community.
"The students work alongside local students and demonstrate their trade skills.
"This year the students are completing a concrete path and undertaking important building maintenance."
She said the students would also work on landscaping projects in the community.
She said they would learn to cook traditional food and communicate with locals.
She said the students would undertake walks and learn about the Lajamanu community.
They will visit Warnayaka Art Gallery to gain different culture experiences.
The students will participate in remote bushland camps while collecting information from different park rangers.
