Cadet's trip of a lifetime
Published 8 Dec 2011 09:30
A NEILSTON air cadet's work was so outstanding he won the chance to go on a remarkable bush trek to Zululand on a mission to teach orphaned children.
And Flt Sgt Stuart McLellan's exploits in the southern African region last week helped win him the country's top national cadet honour - the 2011 Edexcel Achievement Award.
But while that honour will always be a career highlight, it's the three weeks Stuart spent among the Zulus that will stay with him forever as "the experience of a lifetime".
He learned about history during a visit to Rorke's Drift, the farm made famous in the film Zulu, where around 100 British soldiers held off 4,000 Zulu warriors.
Stuart said: "It was awesome to think of these men armed with modern rifles facing warriors armed only with spears and shields."
He felt humbled by the efforts the proud Zulu people are making to improve their lives amid grinding poverty - and disgusted to find that a great deal of aid sent to them never arrives.
The former Eastwood High pupil added: "I was teaching children about life in the UK, about computing and also English.
"They had computer equipment available, but of the type that's very old and no longer in use over here. But so many of them were determined to get into Durban University one day, and I hope eventually to go back and find how many of them made it."
His most disturbing moment came during a necessary night time visit to the community's latrine.
The 17-year-old said: "I was with another student - we were mounting sentry, because at night rhinos have been known to charge straight into camp, which is very dangerous - and was just about to use the toilet when I saw what looked like 30 pairs of eyes staring at me out of the gloom. Then a fiendish noise broke out - they were a pack of hyenas. I didn't know whether to laugh or feel frightened."
The help Stuart brought to Zulu children during his stay earned Stuart valuable points towards his award.
Held at the Royal Air Force Club in London, the Duke of Westminster Award is an annual contest to recognise the most outstanding cadet in the country - whether land, sea or air. The nine finalists for the award were selected from 300 nominations, from over 20,000 eligible CVQO learners nationwide.
Stuart, along with the eight other finalists, was also awarded the ILM (Institute of Leadership and management) Level 3 qualifications, earned through their activities at the Duke of Westminster's Award selection event in April.
And after the ceremony he was taken on a VIP tour of number 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister's home.
This article appeared in Barrhead News 07 Dec 11
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