One of the final reflections we did with everyone (on the last night of the trip) was writing a GRATITUDE LETTER to someone who was part of enabling each student to go on this trip/to have this experience.  Some of the students wrote more than one letter (some are probably still writing them)!  There is a LOT of evidence to suggest that taking the time/space to express gratitude has an enormous positive impact on wellbeing both for those expressing and those receiving gratitude (just ask Hugh VC and the Resilience Project).

Now it is time to express sincere thanks to all of those who made this trip/incredible life experience possible.

• Wangaratta High School – This was a big undertaking and the support of the school was crucial.  All of the staff for covering classes and supporting the teachers and students on the trip.  Kylie, Bronwyn and Leah on the Admin side, Monique on the publicity and particularly Principal Dave Armstrong for his unwavering support with the Department of Education application process and just about everything else.
• Wangaratta local community – The fund-raising we had to do to make this trip happen including supporting families and purchasing materials to complete the House-Building project PLUS all of the other projects we participated in and supported was absolutely incredible. I will always argue that the fund-raising aspect of the trip planning and preparation made the trip so much more meaningful for the participants and their families and helped bring ALL of those together in a wonderful WHSPeruTrip2026 ‘…with a purpose’ COMMUNITY.
• Parents/Guardians – To all of the families of the students, an enormous thank you for all of the incredible support you have shown to your children – financial, emotional, empowering (I am sure you will all reaping many benefits moving forward).  It has been such a pleasure working with every one of you, some of you very closely as part of the Trivia Night fundraiser and then as proud interested parents/guardians during the trip.
• People & Organsiations in Peru – What a great pleasure it was for me personally to be able to share some of the wonders of Peru with all of the PeruCrew, and I sincerely thank all of my friends and contacts in Peru for the part they played in making these experiences so special.  From my wife Vanessa (Founder & Directora of ‘Casa Amazonas’) to Joaquin and Aima in Ollantaytambo from ‘Valle Sagrado Verde’ and ‘Casa Kuska’ to Elsa and Daniel and the whole Ccorccor Community who shared their culture and love of nature, to Rodolfo and Joss who shared their indigenous knowledge and love of the Amazon, to Victor and Yenni and Magali for their love of nature and understanding of the rainforest, to Lisseth and Majory and their families, who worked alongside us building the houses in Chincha (and many many more).  Thank you, Thank you!
• The PeruStaff – An enormous expression of gratitude to Karen Mascas (Kaz), Amy Noble (Amz) and Rachel Tennant (Raz) for their unwavering hard work and support (sometimes in wavering conditions) in both the build up and the safe realisation of this incredible trip.  We will always have this!!
• and finally the INCREDIBLE students who had the experience of a lifetime, but who surpassed (by an enormous distance) both our expectations and their own expectations of what they were able to achieve.  These 24 amazing young people have returned to Australia with the capability and desire to make a positive impact on their families and all of the people they come into contact with in their school, their local community AND in the world.  Mark my words!!!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Harry