Spa student to help children in Africa during gap year (From Droitwich Advertiser)

Spa student to help children in Africa during gap year

11:20am Friday 22nd February 2013 in News

AN adventurous Spa student is set to help underprivileged children in Namibia during a gap year placement to remember.

Seventeen-year-old Sophie Vick, who attends Droitwich Spa High School’s sixth form, has been chosen by a charity to work as a volunteer teacher in the African country.

The student, who is studying drama and theatre studies, English language and geography, took part in a week-long selection course with Project Trust, a charity based on the Isle of Coll in the Hebrides.

The organisation sends volunteers out to all parts of the world to work with underprivileged children, either teaching, doing social care or activities with them.

“The selection course was an adventure in itself, having to travel all the way to Coll on my own was a bit nerve racking at first but it's one of the hurdles I overcame,” said Sophie, who is also a member of the town’s Norbury Youth Theatre.

“The selection was tough but a lot of fun at the same time. I met some amazing new people and learnt so much, not only about Project Trust, but also about Coll, it's community and about myself.”

A week after returning from the selection course, Sophie received a letter to say she had been selected to spend a year in Namibia, South Africa or Malawi, with Namibia the most likely destination.

She said: “My project would be along the lines of teaching basic English to primary school children within rural villages and to set up drama related activities.

“My country will most likely be Namibia, but Project Trust gives you a second and third country just in case.”

Now that she has been selected, the teenager has to raise a total of £5,000 to be able to take part.

She has created a website, mygapyeartonamibia.vpweb.co.uk, to provide information about herself and the charity.

Anyone who would like to help her with fundraising or sponsor her trip can contact her through the website.

She added: “It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm really looking forward to the new challenges I will meet and the experiences I will have throughout my year overseas.”