So in October I will be embarking on a life changing adventure and going to Nigeria to volunteer for 3 months as part of the International Citizen Service (ICS) programme.  I will be living and working in the Imota and Ijede communities in the Ikorodu area (South of the country next door to Lagos) 

ICS is a UK government-funded development programme that brings together 18 to 25-year-olds from all backgrounds to fight poverty in overseas and UK communities. It also aims to inspire young people in the UK and overseas to become active citizens who are passionate about long term community development.

The charity I will be doing my placement with is Volunteer services overseas (VSO) who are one of the respected development charities that deliver ICS. Whilst I am in Nigeria I will be undertaking my volunteering with the Women advocates research and documentation center (WARDC) which was established in 2000 to promote respect for human rights, gender equality, youth development, equity and social justice. The organisation's specific objectives are:

• Advancing education, research and self-development and positive change in society.
  
• Promoting gender equality as a principle of human rights and a development role.
• Advocating for the re-balancing between men and women in terms of resources, legal rights, participation and equal relations.
• Emphasising the specific needs of young people in order to promote justice development and the achievement of equality in policies, laws and social relations.
• Contributing positively to the advancement of the legal system in Nigeria that will support development.
• Promote a governance system that is people-orientated.

In total I need to raise £800 for VSO. This will allow them to continue to bring about positive change in the developing communities where they work. This £800 does not pay for my trip or anything to do with my placement as this has already been paid for by the government. The money I raise will enable to great work of VSO & ICS to carry on around the world, empowering young people and women and helping to fight poverty!

You can check out their amazing work here www.vso.org.uk.

Any contribution from you will make a real difference to the lives of people in developing countries, so please dig deep!

Thank you for your support!