Ruth's volunteering with Raleigh International and ICSE in Nicaragua
Ruth Clark is raising money for Raleigh International Trust
Story
Hello, and welcome to my JustGiving page!
Em, what? More fundraising?! What for this time?
Following on from a successful voluntary placement with ICS in Bolivia is 2014 I have been lucky enough to secure a second placement as Team Leader with Raleigh International in Central America.
In January 2015 I will be relocating to Nicaragua for six months to lead a group of 18-25 year olds from the UK and Nicaragua to oversee sustainable development projects. As part of the International Citizen Service Entrepreneur (ICSE) programme the group will be involved in community research, awareness raising, enterprise development and financing, with the wider aim of developing the skills of local young people and expanding their employment opportunities.
So why Nicaragua?
Centuries of successive devastating political, economic and environmental events have left the nation in a precarious position. Currently ranked 132 out of 185 countries on the UN Development Programme's 2014 Human Development Index Nicaragua lags behind all other countries in the region, with the exception of Haiti (168th). In fact, Nicaragua is the 4th poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere with an economy heavily reliant on agricultural exports such as coffee and sugar.
Almost half of the population (46%) do not have access to basic sustainable sanitation services, with the same number living below the poverty line and less than a third of children completing their primary education (29%) . In the region of Madriz, on the border of Nicaragua and Honduras, youth unemployment is a particularly prevalent issue, and with a lack of employment and enterprise opportunity many young people opt in or are forces into gang cultures. Through ICSE and Raleigh International, UK and Nicaraguan volunteers aim to alleviate some of the issues surrounding youth unemployment through entrepreneurial education and facilitation to give young people greater choice and freedom over their lives.
Sounds good, but who are Raleigh International?
Founded in 1984, Raleigh International is a sustainable development charity who harness the passion and energy of young people to effect positive change in sustainable development. Their programmes focus on providing access to safe water and sanitation, protecting vulnerable environments and building resilient communities.
Their work is delivered through young people and is a collaboration between local communities, partners and volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities and life stages. They operate in partnership with communities, non-governmental organisations and governments in Borneo, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, India and Tanzania. Raleigh volunteers have become global community of more than 36,000 people committed to building a sustainable future.
How much do you have to raise, and where does the money go?
In order to participate on the programme I must reach my fundraising target of £800. My ICSE placement is funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and not the money you donate. Therefore, it must be noted that any donation will NOT go towards funding my specific placement, flights or accommodation, but instead will contribute to the continuation of sustainable development projects on the ground in the developing world.
Em, what? More fundraising?! What for this time?
Following on from a successful voluntary placement with ICS in Bolivia is 2014 I have been lucky enough to secure a second placement as Team Leader with Raleigh International in Central America.
In January 2015 I will be relocating to Nicaragua for six months to lead a group of 18-25 year olds from the UK and Nicaragua to oversee sustainable development projects. As part of the International Citizen Service Entrepreneur (ICSE) programme the group will be involved in community research, awareness raising, enterprise development and financing, with the wider aim of developing the skills of local young people and expanding their employment opportunities.
So why Nicaragua?
Centuries of successive devastating political, economic and environmental events have left the nation in a precarious position. Currently ranked 132 out of 185 countries on the UN Development Programme's 2014 Human Development Index Nicaragua lags behind all other countries in the region, with the exception of Haiti (168th). In fact, Nicaragua is the 4th poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere with an economy heavily reliant on agricultural exports such as coffee and sugar.
Almost half of the population (46%) do not have access to basic sustainable sanitation services, with the same number living below the poverty line and less than a third of children completing their primary education (29%) . In the region of Madriz, on the border of Nicaragua and Honduras, youth unemployment is a particularly prevalent issue, and with a lack of employment and enterprise opportunity many young people opt in or are forces into gang cultures. Through ICSE and Raleigh International, UK and Nicaraguan volunteers aim to alleviate some of the issues surrounding youth unemployment through entrepreneurial education and facilitation to give young people greater choice and freedom over their lives.
Sounds good, but who are Raleigh International?
Founded in 1984, Raleigh International is a sustainable development charity who harness the passion and energy of young people to effect positive change in sustainable development. Their programmes focus on providing access to safe water and sanitation, protecting vulnerable environments and building resilient communities.
Their work is delivered through young people and is a collaboration between local communities, partners and volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities and life stages. They operate in partnership with communities, non-governmental organisations and governments in Borneo, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, India and Tanzania. Raleigh volunteers have become global community of more than 36,000 people committed to building a sustainable future.
How much do you have to raise, and where does the money go?
In order to participate on the programme I must reach my fundraising target of £800. My ICSE placement is funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and not the money you donate. Therefore, it must be noted that any donation will NOT go towards funding my specific placement, flights or accommodation, but instead will contribute to the continuation of sustainable development projects on the ground in the developing world.