Chiara heads off to India

"On 1st March, I'm due to go to Southern India with the charity Raleigh International to carry out a series of community and environmental projects.

Raleigh is a registered charity that works with young people from all backgrounds and nationalities including those disadvantaged and 'at risk'. They achieve this by engaging young people in worthwhile community, environment and adventure projects which meet the needs of people living in developing countries). For 3 months, I'll be living and working with locals in remote tribal villages, building community centres and schools, teaching English, building eco-sanitation units, water filtration systems etc. These community projects are especially important in India; many of the indigenous tribes we'll be working with are stuck right of the bottom of the horribly oppressive Caste system, but Raleigh projects are specifically designed to help empower these communities by giving them the means to trade, enabling them to rise up the Caste System. (For example, the eco-sanitation units eventually provide compost which families can then sell or use on their crops).

The work that Raleigh and its volunteers do abroad is therefore extremely worthwhile and completely sustainable. Whilst I was very lucky to be awarded a government bursary which funded half of the expedition, I still have to raise the remaining half as well as my flight, vaccination and kit costs. As I've not been able to find any full time work in my local area, the only way I've been able to raise funds is by working a few shifts a week in my local pub and doing a massive amount of fundraising...! Last weekend, my father and I cycled 130 miles all the way from Putney Bridge in London to Pultney Bridge in Bath! Despite the aches and pains, it proved a very successful event and we've managed to raise around £1400! My fundraising target is £2000 so we're still continuing to do as much fundraising as possible"