I have always been concerned about global inequality. Being in poverty has many negative repercussions such as not being able to afford schooling or being denied a political voice; things that many of us take for granted in the UK.

So I have decided to take my passions further and, thanks to the Government’s International Citizens Service scheme, from late September 2013 I will be embarking on what will possibly be the biggest challenge of my life. For 12 weeks I will be living and working alongside young people in either Dar es Salaam or Mbeya in Tanzania, Africa. 

Young people in Tanzania are the ones most affected by development issues. They actually make up 53.3% of Tanzania’s unemployed work force! My main role will be to help those young people who are the most marginalised in employment opportunities through increasing their capacity to access livelihoods and employment opportunities through peer-to-peer education in schools, colleges and universities.

But in order for me to be part of this global effort I need to raise £800 for Restless Development, the youth-led development agency I will be volunteering for. So the money does not go directly to myself but will go to all the amazing projects and work that Restless does for impoverished young people in the developing world. Restless Development want to see young people taking a leadership role in addressing the most urgent issues facing their countries and the world, supported fully by their governments, their communities, businesses and civil society institutions. Young people are the main focus, being both affected by poverty but also regarded as the solution. After all we are the largest and most energetic group of people in the world! Check out the link on this page to find out more.

Thank you for any donations! I will keep everyone updated on my experiences!

Jess xx