Recently I have been accepted onto a volunteer placement with the International Citizens Service, a UK government-funded development programme that brings together 18 to 25-year-olds from all backgrounds to fight poverty in overseas and UK communities.

The placement is not just with ICS though, it’s also with one of their partners; International Service. IS is a development charity that has been changing lives for the better for more than 60 years by empowering some of the world's poorest and most marginalized people. In particular, the organisation works to protect and promote the rights of women, people with disabilities, children and young people and other disadvantaged groups. 

Part of my placement involves fundraising for the ICS. The government agreed to fund 90% of the ICS if volunteers could contribute 10%. This decision was made to teach volunteers new skills, to help them demonstrate their commitment, to raise awareness and lastly, to fund the ICS so it can continue to reduce poverty worldwide.

My target amount is £1500. It is a tall order but I plan to smash it in the coming months, utilising as many fundraising techniques as I can think of, starting with living on the poverty line for one week. On the 3rd of January to the 10th, I plan to live on £1 a day for food for a whole week to experience only a fraction of what it’s like to live in a lifestyle of poverty. So if you have a couple of spare pounds please sponsor me!

And finally, thank you for your support. It means a lot to me to have the help of my friends and family for a cause I believe can make a meaningful change.

You can read more at:

http://www.volunteerics.org/

http://www.internationalservice.org.uk/