Whitchurch resident and QMC student, Emma Davies, aged 17, has been selected as one of only 300 Project Trust Volunteers nationwide for 2021.
Project Trust are a respected educational charity which supports around 150 projects world-wide. Projects range from supporting social care of destitute or orphaned boys in Botswana, to youth work in Malawi, and teaching English in China. Project Trust empowers young people to be confident, effective, creative, independent and resilient.
Emma says:-“Following a demanding selection process, conducted during lockdown, I was chosen to spend 12 months living in a local community in rural China starting in August 2021. While I’m there, I will be teaching English to students aged from 5 years up to 18, and in classes of up to 70 students at a time. I will also be learning to speak Mandarin in order to maximise the benefit of my time.
“I’m so excited to have been selected for this amazing opportunity. It’s slightly terrifying to imagine teaching such large groups, but I can’t wait to make the most of every minute.” Emma will be fully integrated into a local community, living and working alongside local people. “I’m passionate about sharing cultural experiences and keen to bring a particular emphasis to the role of gender in the modern world. In addition, education is one of the most effective paths out of poverty, and I really hope that I can help bring that to these children while I’m there.”.
Project Trust requires volunteers to fundraise £6,950 to support the charity before they depart. This money is used to support the projects and volunteers. Emma has made a great start to fundraising by undertaking the (virtual) Edinburgh Kiltwalk in September, walking in the New Forest. She will also be delivering Christmas trees in and around Whitchurch with the help of family and friends. “Fundraising this amount would be an enormous challenge in any year but due to COVID-19 restrictions, many larger fundraising events such as concerts or quizzes simply aren’t an option this year. Every donation really makes a difference,” says Emma. “Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me, and to those who may yet do so.”
Any local groups, organisations or individuals who would like to contribute can donate at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EmmaDavies128. All donations are gratefully received. A benefit of donating more than £10 is that it allows you to sponsor a day – a personalised message will be sent on the chosen day, along with updates on how Emma is doing and a picture taken that day. To receive this benefit, simply email emma_project_trust@yahoo.com to request a day.
Notes:
More information on Project Trust can be found at www.projecttrust.org.uk. They are a Scottish registered charity – registration number SC025668
More information can be found by contacting Emma directly via emmas_box@yahoo.com. Interviews and further photographs are available