In March 2015 I will be making the excursion across seas to do volunteer work for the International Service agency- a development charity that has been empowering some of the world’s most marginalised people to achieve lasting, positive change for more than 60 years.
I am heading to Burkina Faso, the world's second poorest country.

•  Burkina’s literacy rates are among the worst in the world.  Less than 9% of men and less than 9% of women are able to read and write. 
  
•  It is possible that there might be only one literate person in a village of 1,000 people.
  
•  Life expectancy 55 years (men), 57 years (women).
  
• 44.6 % of the population live below the poverty level, on less than GBP 83p per day.
  

International service has been operating in Burkina Faso since 1978. The majority of all volunteers work with local communities in both rural and urban areas, which for me will be either supporting disabled people or women. Which for example, could include:

• Supporting women in Burkina Faso to work collaboratively – instead of alone - to increase their incomes, and raise themselves and their families out of poverty. 
  
• Aim to reduce poverty amongst disabled people by helping them sell their craft products and build strong livelihoods by developing marketing strategies to help the artisans expand their business.
  

As part of my contribution to volunteer in Burkina Faso, I am to raise £800. All proceeds will be going to International Service ICS scheme and will not at all be included in my personal expenses. I will also be fundraising through different ventures such as, muffin sales, bucket fundraising in local supermarkets, selling some vintage clothing and some of my own paintings all online through eBay (

http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/charl-taske) and depop (@charlatasker). 
My main Fundraising idea is a Charity Event I'm hosting at Cask Corner Dive Bar in Doncaster on Sunday 1st March, a live music gig on throughout the day with arts and craft stalls, muffins, a raffle and some African stew served to everyone! 

Thank you for visiting my page, I greatly appreciate all proceeds!

Further Information about the charity:

http://www.internationalservice.org.uk/index.htm