As a student at sixth form, I have the opportunity to fly over to Ghana (Africa) alone and gain medical experience to offer help in a poorly resourced and under-staffed hospital. I am looking to offer my care for 3 weeks in Dixcove Government hospital – a place limited to resources and staff, therefore my service will be invaluable to the community. The sense of achievement I would feel from helping those that are less fortunate than ourselves goes beyond words. I want to be able to make a difference and I feel that this is the place to do so.

This placement will broaden my medical knowledge and enable me to get hands-on experience in a healthcare environment. I will be involved in a variety of jobs within the hospital, including helping out on maternity wards, operating theatres and a recovery ward. All excellent experiences which will prepare me for a career in the health care industry in the near future. I am aware that some scenes may be difficult to cope with mentally due to upset, however I feel it is important to experience a range of situations, especially to assist me with ultimately becoming a paramedic.

Being able to help people at minority from a country less fortunate than my own appeals to me as I will get the opportunity save and improve lives of people who may otherwise not have survived.

At the age of 14, I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and hospitalised for four months. The experience was traumatising but I would not be here today if it wasn’t for the help from caring professionals and family. I would love to be able to help someone else in a similar way, showing my empathy, support and providing reassurance. I was forced to take a lot of time out of school but managed to pass all of my GCSE subjects with grades A*-B.

Since my drop in health, I have progressed with CHAMS and improved a lot. I am now discharged from the system and able to live life to its fullest. Going out to Africa excites me for many reasons. I have always liked to stick to my comfort zones of declining invitations to remain at home and eating foods which I feel are ‘safe’. I’d love to be able to step out of my comfort zones, meeting new people on the journey.

Currently, I volunteer on the respiratory ward at a local hospital ran by the NHS and so I hope my current skills from this will be able to benefit Ghana. I also hope that I can take what I learn from my placement abroad and use it to benefit patients back here in the UK.

I am looking to go for 3 weeks as soon as I have the funding to do so. The cost of the placement will be £469 and flights from Norwich to Accra vary from £687. I will also be required to purchase vaccinations, travel insurance, a criminal check to prove I am authorised to travel, additional food and a VISA. After researching into the programme and travel, I’ve found that the total cost of the trip will amount to around £2,200. So far, I have been awarded £400 from my college to put towards the costs so I am now looking to raise the remaining £1,800.

Thankyou for taking the time to read my story; any donations will help to fund this trip and turn it onto reality!