In June 2019 I am participating in an expedition to Peru in 2019 with Camps International (www.campsinternational.com).

This will be a 4-week expedition and will include community development work, environmental projects and wildlife conservation. It will also include an additional element that includes a tiresome trek up the Salkantay trail to reach the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu which will have an amazing view when we reach the top. It will also make some brilliant pictures! I will also have the opportunity to experience desert, deep canyons, the vast expanses of the Altiplano and life at 3800m above sea level at Lake Titicaca which is the world’s highest navigable lake! I will spend time supporting some of the most ancient civilizations on earth, the Quechua and the Aymara people. Witnessing the local traditions of these people is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The core objectives of this expedition are to undertake projects in order to:

Raise the educational standards of developing communities within a rural district of Peru.

Raise the living standards of developing communities, within a rural district of Peru.

Assist with ongoing wildlife conservation programmes to preserve biodiversity and protect vulnerable habitats.

This expedition is extremely important to me because I feel that I will acquire and develop many important life skills. I hope to find a newfound sense of independence and this life-enhancing trip will help with me with team building skills. It will look great on my CV and therefore i hope it will help me get a job in the future, which I am hoping will have something to do with animals and culture, and it will look amazing on my application to sixth form/college. Along with this I will be able to see the world and learn about a new culture so far from our own.

When I first heard about the expedition, I was really intrigued as to what going to Peru was all about. When I first saw the conditions over in Peru I felt that I had to go over and help the people in need. I have always been into going out and about helping less fortunate people than me, so the trip was right up my street. I appreciate what I have a lot, and to see what other people in the poorer countries live in really moves me. When I was sat in the assembly, when I first heard about this Peru Trip, I was thinking to myself how do I get involved and how am I going to get there to help? Then at the end all of my questions were answered and I knew exactly what I wanted to do… I wanted to help.

I would be extremely grateful for any and all contributions you can make towards my fundraising.

Thank you in anticipation ,

Ellie