VSO brings people together to address marginalisation and poverty. Right now, VSO is bringing justice to rape survivors in Pakistan, ending stigma against disabled children in Ethiopia and tackling the youth skills gap in Uganda. Please join me as I take a stand against poverty and support VSO's uniquely effective approach that reached over 1.5 million people last year alone.

My journey will begin in June with my placement being in Nepal, in the remote district of Dhading. I will be spending 10 weeks with fellow volunteers teaching, educating and assisting the local people within communities, to hopefully bring a positive impact to them and help to improve their lives. 

Nepal's > 30% unemployment rate remains a major challenge for Nepal’s economic progress. More than four million Nepalese youth are overseas for employment and Nepal’s economy largely relies on remittance. Education and poverty are strongly linked with each other and I, along with VSO, believe that access to quality education acts as the foundation towards eradicating poverty. Lack of parental awareness on the importance of education (especially towards girls) as well as lack of financial resources are the most prevalent factors into why over 40% of the female population and over 25% of the male population are illiterate.

Our project in the country will be focussed heavily on the development of the youths educational status, by working closely with 6 schools and communities, through various activities. Hopefully we can make a difference in many of these peoples' lives and can help them be better equipped for their potential in future.

I personally think that everyone is connected in some way or another, whether we know it or not. We often get caught up in our own lives and take things for granted that we rarely stop and think about how we can make even the slightest of a difference. I am always grateful for the life my parents have given me and I want to help ensure that as many people as possible can have some form of opportunity to create their own lives, as opposed to be forced into one which they may not want.

For my fundraising, I will be engaging in the below:

- Preparing meals in takeaway boxes and distributing these across London in a day.

- Hosting a golf competition day with the majority of finances going to VSO

- Helping in care homes in London and spending the evening with people, engaging in activities

- Hosting a Fifa Tournament with the majority of finances raised to VSO

- A unique challenge of my own

Thank you for all your donations, it is very much appreciated.

Read more about this vital work, please visit their website: www.vsointernational.org/fighting-povertyThank you