Want to change the world but fed up of faceless charity work? Do you wonder if your donations make a difference or even reach the people you are trying to help?

I have taken a year out of my work as an Emergency Department doctor to join an expedition to Tanzania with Raleigh International.

Raleigh International is a very well established sustainable development organisation who work with young people from around the world to create lasting change.

In Tanzania, we will work on three projects:

Water and Sanitation

I'm particularly proud of this aspect of the expedition. Approximately 75% of Tanzanians live in rural communities, and ddequate access to safe water and sanitation is rare. Whilst attendance rates at primary school are high, there is a significant drop in the number of female students that go on to secondary education; this is often the result of a lack of separate sanitation facilities allowing for privacy when menstruation begins. Constructing and encouraging the use of sanitation blocks at schools combats this and other issues such as the spread of preventable diseases, and provides these students with a brighter future. 

Natural Resource Management

Our young volunteers will have the opportunity to work together to tackle deforestation and drought. This is done through establishing tree nurseries, planting trees and maintaining fire breaks designed to prevent the rapid spread of fire and destruction of Tanzania’s precious forests. As well as planting trees, volunteers will work with local communities to raise awareness on this important issue.

Community Resilience and Adventure

Tanzania is one of the world’s poorest countries, yet it also has a rapidly growing economy. With a large population of young people there is a growing need for employment opportunities. We support young entrepreneurs to set up small businesses in their communities which benefit themselves and the people around them. In turn, their communities can become more resilient to social and environmental change. We also will encourage our young volunteers to take turns in taking the lead on adventurous treks, coordinating the group and navigating across the landscape whilst learning about wilderness survival. The group will be expected to work as a team to plan an ideal site for our evening camp, prepare their evening meal and ensure the group is kept motivated. In this way, all our volunteers will gain vital leadership and teamworking skills.

I will be a medic on the expedition and will also be involved in medical logistics; stocking the pharmacy, taking calls from project sites, and providing reports back to the UK.

I have taken time out of my UK career to volunteer with this amazing project. Whilst I am trying to manage my costs effectively, there are some fixed costs which I am now fundraising for:

Flights (economy, sadly!)

Accommodation (often a roll mat on the floor of a local school)

Food (often warmed over a fire and eaten out of a metal mess tin with a spork!)

In country travel (mostly numb bums on bumpy roads)

My equipment (three months of construction work and walking in the wilderness mean I require a decent first aid kit, comfortable walking boots, mosquito spray and plenty of sun cream!)

Every little helps and I am extremely grateful to you for your contribution. I am planning to keep you (and my family!) up to date with our efforts with a weekly blog (internet permitting) - found here: https://henryintanzania.wordpress.com

Thank you to the Round Table Trust for their pledge of £100 towards my expedition.