An 18 year old Ruddington resident has made it through a rigorous selection process to become part of a Raleigh International team heading to Nicaragua next month helping local communities get clean water and sanitation.
Anousheh Fulford will be living with a host family in a remote village for three months – sharing in the life of the community – with the aim of improving his understanding of a different culture and their understanding of ours.
But, first, the globetrotting former Rushcliffe School student had to raise £800 towards the work of Raleigh International and their International Citizen Service (ICS) partners through sponsored challenges, raffles, workplace giving and direct appeals. With the help of family and friends he managed to hit his fundraising target in just two months. This money will now go towards enabling the overall costs of ICS, ensuring they can continue sending youth volunteers to the developing world to ensure a sustainable, long-lasting difference in disadvantaged communities.
Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America but the second poorest nation in the western hemisphere. It is also home to the continent’s largest cloud forest, which houses jaguars, eagles and spider monkeys, as well as over 150,000 species of insect. However, it is ranked third in the world for vulnerability to climate change.
Anousheh says “I am currently learning Spanish in preparation for the placement. I am also attending training that develops my team building skills and challenges me to find strategies for living successfully in unfamiliar environments.
“Raleigh International is an experienced organisation which has been sending young people to help in the developing world since 1984. Its parent organisation the International Citizen Service is funded by the UK Government’s Department for International Development. In Nicaragua I will be working with one of Raleigh’s in-country volunteers. When I return I will be giving talks and creating webpages to increase awareness in Britain of the ongoing project.”
Anousheh adds that further funds are still most welcome:
“All donations made by you will help pay for the equipment and materials needed along the way and will also support the local partners to work with communities before and after the expedition to ensure it is a valued project that will make a long-term difference to their health and prosperity.”
Online donations can be made via this website:
or by texting:
Your code: MSLV98
With the amount
e.g. £10
To 70070
Anousheh stresses that all money goes to The Raleigh International Trust and not to him personally! We wish him every success with his trip.
