I'm deliriously happy to say that I've been accepted onto the wonderful VSO ICS programme which means that this summer I will be spending 3 months volunteering in Zambia!!! I will be travelling to Nyimba which is in the Eastern Province of Zambia, a community which, as with all VSO projects, has specifically asked for VSO's help to achieve their goals! Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) is a world-renowned international development organisation, and leads the Department for International Development (DFID)-funded International Citizen Service (ICS)... international development really, really likes its abbreviations! The ICS programme was developed to encourage young UK citizens into volunteering both abroad and at home. 

During the placement, I will be helping out in a local community with a team of other UK volunteers and a team of local volunteers - I will be paired with an in-country volunteer so that I can engage with the community in the best way possible, and staying with a host family so that I truly get a sense of the culture and customs. VSO works in four key areas - health, livelihoods, education and participation - and my project will be looking specifically at the first of those: health!

It's important to say that the money I'm trying to raise is not going towards my flights, visas, immunisations or any other part of my placement - you're not going to be funding a summer holiday 'jolly'! The motive behind fundraising is that volunteers must prove their commitment to the programme (as full commitment will be vital once you are living in your community), to support the incredible work VSO does and also to raise awareness.  

Any support you can give will be so, so much appreciated - I'm more excited than I've ever been about what I'm sure is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will give me a taster of my dream career in international development <3