In July of 2023, I will be visiting the Himalayas for three weeks with the Hatters Explorer Scout Unit on an expedition to the North of India.  As a team of 60, we are going to be taking part in a life changing few weeks where we will trek and raft in the mountains, sightsee, visit important religious sites, visit a snow leopard conservation, immerse ourselves in local culture, teach disfortunate children in remote villages and most significantly carry out an optical project to those of old age who cannot access healthcare. 

We will be starting in Delhi and travelling to Ladakh where we will begin our trek, we then move to Tsokar for the optical project and complete our trip in Agra.

We will be giving the gift of sight through working in parternship with a UK based optician who is training us in the skills required to deliver the service. We have been collecting reading glasses which we will test to find the appropriate strength for these people. 

Our trip to India will give me the opportuity to spend time with local people in villages and see a completely different standard of living. One of the greatest challenges will be the language barrier, however we will have the opportunity to work on communication skills throughout the experience. I will also be a patrol leader to a group of younger explorers who I will be resposible for throughout which will develop my confidence as a young adult; I am excited for this as I have been involved in scouting since I was 10 years old and so now being able to give what I was taught by my scout leaders is truly incredible.

As well as this, I will be trekking at over 4,000m in altitude to reach some of these villages and I will be learning new skills to be able to carry out the project. Having new awareness of the conditions that people are living in and their limited access to services will be important for me, too. I am excited to make a positive contribution to society which will be life changing.

Each of us going need to raise £3000 in order to attend. I have been fundrasing over the past couple of years, earning from a small business I have created called @hansbeadz on instagram yet I still have some way to go. If you could donate anything I would be extremely grateful.

Thank you!