Next summer I have volounteered to travel to Namibia with Forth Region Scouts to undertake international project work.

In 2017 a group of Scouts from Forth Region travelled to the village of Omakange in Northern Namibia to build, at the request of the local traditional authority, a kindergarten school, with solar power and battery and a community garden with a borehole and solar powered water pump. The scouts also visited the local combined primary/secondary school and established good relations with the staff and learners. We supplied the learners with 40 secondhand bikes through an organisation called the Bicycle Empowerment Network of Namibia.

In 2019, Forth Region Scouts are returning to Omakange. On this trip, we will be working on several projects for the village and also for the Scouts of Namibia. We will be expanding the water supply for the garden and kindergarten by installing an extra water tank for the borehole. The caretaker for the school is presently in temporary accommodation so we plan to help build a house for the caretaker. We are planning to provide tuition in bicycle maintenance so the the bikes previously donated can be looked after in the long term.

Within the compound of the school and garden we also plan to establish a permanent scout camp with toilet block, shower facilities, and camp kitchen. This will allow the Scouts of Namibia to continue to use the facility as a training camp, in support of their fast-growing ‘Scouts in Schools’ programme.

To raise funds for the project costs I am bagpacking, marshalling and volunteering at a range of events. I am also giving talks to local scout groups about the project.

In order for this expedition to be a success, project funds have to be raised and this has amounted to £300 per person. Anything you can give will go straight into the project costs. Thank you in advance.

Thanks