In Summer 2019 I will be joining Projects Abroad to spend five weeks as a care volunteer helping children in South Africa. This role involves working with children to improve their numeracy and literacy skills, which are valuable tools to aid them in future prospective employment. I am studying to pursue a career working with children and hope to make this the first of many opportunities to make a difference and give these children a better start in life.

I look at my time abroad not only as a way to give back but also as a way to gain a better insight into the way different cultures live and experience life outside of my own comfort zone.

I’m volunteering through an organisation called Projects Abroad which was established in 1992 as a volunteer English-teaching programme in Eastern Europe and has since grown to offer a wide range of opportunities in volunteering, internships, and language courses in over 25 destinations around the globe. I will be joining a community of well over 50,000 volunteers past and present that have lent their time and effort to giving back around the world.

As this experience is unpaid, I will need to cover costs for the flights, the Projects Abroad programme fee, food and accommodation. Any incidental costs, (spending money) will be paid for from my own funds. The total cost is just over £3000, after having already paid the initial cost of £195; I have set a fundraising target of £3000 and hope to achieve this by using a variety of methods including; three separate sporting events, car boot sales and a fundraising party/quiz/raffle night to be held at the end of 2018. Any shortfalls to my financial target will be made up using my own savings. I will be writing to a number of companies but I am also relying on the help of my friends and family, even a small amount will get me one step closer to my goal. Thank you in advance for any support you can give.