By Emma Burgess
I took a gap year after leaving school, and while I had an amazing time in Australia, I felt that when I left University my travel plans should perhaps be more focused. I wanted to take part in a charitable or organisational project rather than spend the time in my own way. I hoped to do something worthwhile, where I could utilise my time in learning new skills and perhaps make a difference at the same time.
I know many people who have taken years out, gaining experiences in teaching, conservation projects, humanitarian aid and much more, and knew that the Gap Year industry is a hugely varied one, with literally hundreds of companies and organisations offering the trip of a lifetime.
It was extremely hard, therefore, to
find a project that I was interested in and with there having been a considerable
amount of media attention recently on the questionable and even exploitative
ethical value of some projects, I was keen to find a company which offered
volunteers the chance to get involved in work where their contribution was
recognised and more importantly in an area where it was really needed. After
a considerable amount of research, I found Outreach International, a relatively
small organisation which puts a great deal of emphasis on this very issue.They are keen to continue existing links with the countries and communities to which they send volunteers and in doing so are able to establish exactly how, and in what capacity, help is needed. After an initial meeting with one of the company directors, where I was presented with several volunteering opportunities, I made the decision to take part in what is called a Rural Teaching Project in Mexico.
I will be living and working in a small Mexican village for three months from September of this year, teaching at the local school. The area is only about 30 miles away from Puerto Villarta, a coastal city with an increasing reputation as a popular holiday destination. But the difference between the city and its surrounding areas could not be more different and I am not going for a holiday. The schools are in need of teachers and I hope to contribute as much as I can for the short time that I am there and to make as much of a difference as possible.
As well as this, I am looking forward to the challenge of learning a new language (I am currently teaching myself Spanish) and of the kind of cultural interaction that can really only be experienced by living everyday life within another community. Outreach International places an emphasis on the importance of this immersion, which I think makes them stand somewhat apart from other companies.
I am hoping to find at least half of the money needed through fund-raising, and have started to think about and plan possible ways of going about this. Please keep an eye out for any up-coming advertisements and appeals for funding and sponsorship events. If you feel that you would like to sponsor me directly, any contribution, however small, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my plans. If you have any questions about Outreach International or the specific project I am involved in, or would like to sponsor me, you can contact me at the Vicarage on 837315 or on my mobile 07871 844862.