Hello everyone,

As some of you may be aware I am going to India on the 3rd of July this year to do a 10 week volunteering placement with Raleigh International. I will be based in the 3 Southern States of India, where I will be working on community and environmental projects. My community project involves helping build schools for children and eco-sanitation systems so that the people in the villages have somewhere to go to the toilet, and clean water to wash in. The environmental project is to do with the conflict that exists between the elephants and villages. This is because the elephants tend to tear through the rangers huts during their migration, which are there to protect the animals. So I will be involved in digging trenches and putting up solar power fencing to try and stop this. I end my trip doing a 250km trek through forest and mountains, so I am certainly not going for a holiday.

If you haven't heard of Raleigh International, it is a charity that has been running from 1978 and aims (and succeeds) to help communities build up their independence and quality of life. Raleigh works in partnership with its host countries (India being one of them) and international organisations to provide projects that make a positive and lasting contribution to local communities and the environment.

I was lucky enough to get chosen out of hundreds of people to go on one of their expeditions, and I can't wait. It is something I have always wanted to do. I really want to help make a difference to those that are less fortunate than myself, and learn to appreciate the things I have in my life that I often take for granted. 

Raleigh International have awarded me £1,000 which goes directly to the charity, that will pay for us to be able to build up the communities. I then have to raise another £1,000 which goes in the same direction. Please do not think that your money will be going towards my flights or any kit that I need, as I am currently working a full time job as a Teaching Assistant, and a part-time job as a waitress and bar maid to pay for all that!  

Anything you can donate will be much appreciated, and you will all be personally invited to my leaving/birthday celebration before I go. If you would like to know any more about the charity, please contact me or go to www.raleighinternational.org

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

I hope you all agree that it is a very worthwhile charity and support me in trying to help. 

Thank you, Love Shona xx