Exeter student tackles poverty in South Africa

An Exeter College student has been busy organising events to raise funds to support a project that tackles poverty in South Africa.

Berenice Phillips, 18, will travel to South Africa in June this year to work on the development programme for 10 weeks.

She will team up with South African volunteers to tackle some of the problems facing the local community. She will live with a host family over the 10 week placement so will get to experience the countries true culture.

ICS allows young people aged 18-25 to contribute to long-term development projects in countries like Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone and Nepal.  The scheme offers young people the chance to develop personally on projects that are of genuine value to communities around the world. On return to the UK, ICS volunteers undertake an ‘Action at Home Project’, ensuring that their new skills also benefit their local communities.

Berenice said: “It's vital I reach my fundraising target.  I’ve been working hard alongside my usual college work as well as working weekends.  

“The project I’m working on is run by the development charity, Lattitude Global Volunteering and aims to raise awareness of health issues the local community face’s and how they can prevent them. This is a unique opportunity to work alongside people from a different culture who have requested help from young volunteers to fight poverty and make a difference where it’s needed most. I feel privileged to have been offered this opportunity and can’t wait to get out there.”

To sponsor Berenice visit https://www.justgiving.com/Berenice-Phillips1 or text BEAP55 and the amount you would like to donate to 70070.

To find out more about ICS or to apply, visit www.volunteerics.org