Volunteering with Raleigh in India, 2010

I’m off to India later this year with Raleigh International. I’m volunteering as a videographer on their summer expedition. I’ll be living in the heart of some of the most remote areas in India, filmming and working alongside young venturers on a range of community projects. I first volunteered with Raleigh 10 years ago as a venturer in belize when I was just 18 years old. It was a fantastic and life changing experience. The aim of Raleigh is to give volunteers a unique opportunity to become immersed in a rural village community, experiencing new culture, food and ways of working. Raleigh is not just about an expedition; it’s about being part of a community of like-minded people. Their vision is to inspire a generation to be all that they can be; to awaken a sense of life-purpose and belonging, and unite them as part of a global community who can work together to rise to the challenges of the world we live in.

So when I head off to India in July I know we will be helping to improve quality of life and basic facilities such as clean water and education. Previous projects in India have included planting cash crops of mango and amla fruit, creating contour bunding to retain monsoon rain, constructing solar powered electric fences and digging elephant-proof trenches around the villages and cultivated lands to prevent elephants and humans clashing in an attempt to prevent loss of life on both sides.

I’m looking forward to doing something extraordinary, making a difference in the world and meeting new friends along the way. I’m also looking forward to Patrick and my parents heading out for a visit at the end of the trip!