LUCINDA AL-ZOGHBI became a member of the Raleigh International volunteer project.
This time last year I was about to embark upon a ten week volunteer placement with sustainable development charity Raleigh International, as part of the government funded International Citizen Service. This unique opportunity allows young people aged 18-25 to work alongside local volunteers and NGOs to deliver a sustainable project to improve the livelihoods of a rural community living in poverty, all the while developing skills for their future and becoming agents of positive social change.I was based in the village of Halsur, which is in the south Indian state of Karnataka, to deliver a health and sanitation project. My team was formed of seven British volunteers (including myself), four host country volunteers, and a Team Leader from each country.
Together we delivered numerous health awareness sessions, three health camps and helped construct twenty toilets. Prior to the project, the villagers had little or no access to such facilities and an equally limited awareness of health and hygiene so the project was vital to developing their living conditions and implementing positive behavioural change. The emphasis was really on enabling the community to help themselves so that the project had a long term impact, long after we were gone. I developed cultural awareness, project management and leadership skills and the experience has really opened my eyes to the world and made me realise how many people care about it. I would highly recommend the programme to anyone who is looking for an alternative option to university as ICS provides a wonderful opportunity for personal development and learning more about important development issues which you can help raise awareness about upon your return. https://www.volunteerics.org/