I am in my last year of school at Queen Margaret's and about to embark on a gap year. I am an enthusiastic and out going person and by the end of the academic year I will have completed my Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. I am a keen rider and sportswoman having taken part in competitive netball, hockey and swimming.
I have recently been on a trip to Honduras where I lived and worked alongside conservation and research groups and indigenous people. While there I helped to identify sustainable development initiatives within the rainforest community. I believe that going to Thailand will help me develop the skills that I learnt during my time in Honduras, while also helping improve the lifestyles of the Karen people.
As part of my project with the Trust I will be immersed in village life and will be living with a Karen family in their home. My principle responsibility will be teaching English in the village school and other projects that I may undertake will involve water reticulation. Any money that you may donate will go to the Trust which has many projects focused on improving health, supporting education and providing a sustainable income for the Karen. By helping improve their education, the Trust gives the Karen opportunities to improve their future. The projects include transport to school, dormitories for those who live too far away to attend school otherwise, as well as the opportunity for a scholarship to go to university.
Part of my contribution to the Karen Hilltribes Trust requires me to do fundraising. I think this is much more preferable than simply paying money to a gap year company because I will be more closely involved in the projects that the money will fund. I need to raise £2000 and I plan to do this through a combination of donations, part time work and a sponsored activity.
I would be really, really grateful for any donations, no matter how big or small, that people may feel able to make.
