Meet the Team!

This year, our team is made up of thirteen pupils from Ballymena Academy (4 boys and 9 girls, aged 16-18) along with three teachers. The team has been divided into 4 sub-teams; media team, sports team, arts and crafts team and teaching team. Each of the teams have their own responsibilities to organise different aspects of the trip.

Media Team:  
The media team will be posting updates on the blog before and whilst in India for you to read and stay up to date with what is happening. They will also be raising awareness of the trip.

Name: David McCluggage 

Age: Year 14 

Favourite Subjects: Media, History, Drama, Biology

Hobbies: Watching/playing sports- mainly rugby, football, cricket. Enjoy drama- have acted in 3 school plays and achieved grade 8 speech and drama award.

Reasons for applying: Listening to the past team members describing their incredible experience increases my anticipation and excitement for this trip. Seeing a child's smile as they come to the resource centre each day fills me with a real desire to give of myself and help in any way I can.

 
Name: Molly McCullough 

Age: Year 14 

Favourite Subjects: Biology, History, Music 

Hobbies: Playing music, running and yoga 

Reasons for Applying: I have always wanted to apply for the ASHA trip and I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to take part! I want to make a difference to the lives of the children in India and try to show them the hope that ASHA has set out to do.

 

Name: Sasha Bill

Age: Year 13

Favourite Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Home Economics

Hobbies: Hockey, baking, piano

Reasons for Applying: I felt this was an incredible opportunity to be able to help those less fortunate than myself and to make a special connection with the children in Tigri. I'm looking forward to going out to India and working with the team.




Sports Team:  
The sports team will be very active playing fun games with the children such as football and cricket and enabling them to have fun with one another.


 
Name: Cameron McNeill

Age: Year 13

Favourite Subjects: Maths, German, Add Maths, Physics, History

Hobbies: Football, rugby, going to the gym, piano, guitar, watching movies

Reasons for Applying: To play games with the kids, make a difference in their lives, bring smiles to their faces, enjoy spending time with them and experience a new culture.







 
Name: Tori Coulter

Age: Year 13

Favourite Subjects: Biology, HE, French

Hobbies: Hockey, baking, waterskiing

Reasons for Applying: I want to use the skills and capabilities I have been given to bring happiness to those who are less fortunate than ourselves and bring a smile to their faces.









Name: Rebecca Gray

Age: Year 14

Favourite Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, French, Maths

Hobbies: Tennis 3x weekly for ulster pre-college squad to train for upcoming tournaments, hanging out with my friends, going for walks

Reasons for Applying: I applied for the team because from what I had heard from past team members and it is a once in a lifetime opportunity! I'm looking forward to working with the children over there, playing games with them and making a little bit of a difference.




Arts and Crafts Team: 
The arts and crafts team will be extremely busy painting murals on the walls of the ASHA resource centre and designing crafts for all the children to take part in.


 
Name: Lucy Bill

Age: Year 13

Favourite Subjects: Classical Civilisation, Art, History

Hobbies: Trampolining, gymnastics, doodling

Reasons for Applying: I saw ASHA as an opportunity to use my skills to help others, teach me gratitude towards others and help make a difference to those who need it most.







 
Name: Emma Smyth

Age: Year 13

Favourite Subjects: Geography, English Literature, History

Hobbies: Chilling with friends, singing, being creative

Reasons for Applying: I want to make a difference and bring joy and hope to the children of Delhi in any way I can. I can't wait to experience the different culture of India and add a bit of colour to the ASHA centre.





Teaching Team: 
The teaching team will work very closely with the children to help them to expand their english to help them in later life. 


 
Name: Michael Knowles

Age: Year 14

Favourite Subjects: Chemistry, Maths

Hobbies: Rugby, farming, clay pigeon shooting

Reasons for Applying: I thought it would be a great way to show the practical aspects of Christian love while also gaining a new found appreciation for everything I have. I am also excited about getting to know and meet new people.





Name: Lyndsey Simpson

Age: Year 13

Favourite Subjects: English Literature, History, Drama

Hobbies: Drama, playing guitar

Reasons for Applying: I joined the team because after being on previous missionary teams I felt passionate towards this type of work and am excited to use my skills further afield to make even one child happy. I'm hoping I can come away from this experience with a whole new outlook on life as the children teach me about what's important in life.

 
Name: Ella McDonald

Age: Year 14

Favourite Subjects: Class Civilisation, English Literature

Hobbies: playing piano, jujitsu

Reasons for Applying: I was inspired by previous teams and want to continue to help the people in Tigri and hopefully gain and new outlook on life.







 
Name: Julie Kernohan

Age: Year 13

Favourite Subjects: Maths and Chemistry

Hobbies: Hockey, singing

Reasons for Applying: I wanted to apply so that I could help those who are less fortunate than me by helping to give them a hope for the future.


 





 
Name: Johnny McKeown

Age: Year 14

Favourite Subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Economics, History

Hobbies: Rugby, golf

Reasons for Applying: I applied because I thought it would be an amazing experience and I wanted to make a difference to peoples lives. I also think from the stories I have heard about ASHA, that we could learn so much from the children and adults who live in the slums.