A gap year student is raising funds to do vital environmental and community work abroad.
Former student from Colfox Academy, Eddie Rose, 18, from Bridport, will be travelling to Costa Rica this March to volunteer with Raleigh International - a sustainable development organisation which works to support marginalised communities and protect vulnerable ecosystems.
Through international volunteering, they aim to build community resilience while also offering transformative experiences for young people.
Eddie is very community-minded and expressed his excitement not just to explore a different culture but also to make a positive difference in the community.
“I have known for ages I wanted to do something like this. I’m interested in lots of different things and I wanted time to explore my interests. I am really passionate about travelling and want to see the world and if I can help people while doing that then that’s even better.
“There’s quite a lot of different opportunities for international volunteering and it took a long time to work out the right one. It was really important to me that I found an ethical way of doing it and that was when I heard about Raleigh.”
The charity has chosen to do its projects in Costa Rica as it is home to a very large amount of the world’s biodiversity.
Raleigh projects are needs-led and split into two types – community and environmental.
The community projects are led in collaboration with local authorities and organisations, often working on the construction of school buildings, health centres or village halls. The environmental projects focus on aiding the maintenance of national parks, supporting conservation workers, and working on wildlife research.
Eddie is taking part in the seven-week trip where members are usually assigned to either the community or environmental project alongside the Adventure Leadership Trek through rainforests and up volcanoes.
However, due to a leg disability, Eddie will instead be undertaking both the community and environmental project.
"They were very understanding of my physical disability which inhibits my activity. When I'm out there, the work I do will create long-lasting positive change, and I'm really looking forward to challenging myself and pushing myself outside my comfort zone.
Eddie is hoping to raise £3600 (excluding flights, kit and insurance) which will be donated to Raleigh to cover their operational costs and support their charitable projects.
“I’d really appreciate a donation of any size to the fundraiser. I am excited to be in a different culture, with a different way of living.
“I'm also excited for the opportunity to develop my Spanish skills, make new friendships and have fun whilst I'm there as well.”
You can donate to Eddie's fundraiser on gofundme page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/eddie-rose-raleigh-costa-rica-2024?modal=donations&tab=all
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