Camp International Expedition Peru 2021

Aim

To trek in Peru to help communities build schools, medical centres, houses and communities.

My name is Olivia Marsden.  I am a 14 year old girl who lives in Keswick and attends Keswick School.  I have been lucky enough to be given a once in a life time opportunity to join Camps International on their 4 week expedition to Peru in summer 2021.  To achieve this goal I have accepted the challenge to raise nearly £4,700 by my own fundraising activities and sponsorship.  

BACKGROUND

Camps International are award winning global leaders in ethical and sustainable school expeditions across Africa, Asia and Latin America.  Each expedition provides a unique opportunity for students to live alongside local rural communities, broadening their perspective on the world and increasing their understanding of the day to day challenges these communities face, such as access to clean water, education and housing.  

CIRCUMSTANCES & BENEFITS

Following bullying at school I suffer from anxiety issues, made worse by the recent death of my grandad who lived with us and who I used to help look after because of his dementia issues.  I have been referred to a counsellor at Barnardo’s, who I am seeing to help with my anxiety and depression.  One of the main purposes of the expedition, in addition to the positive impact each student will have upon the local community, is to enhance each student’s self-worth, confidence, independence and their appreciation of the impact one person can have on the world.  I feel that my participation on the expedition would be hugely beneficial in giving me the increased confidence in myself to help with my anxiety and depression issues. This would be the greatest achievement of my life so far and would, I think, start to give me the self-belief to help me make the most of my life.

COST AND FUNDRAISING

The expedition will cost £4,690, (covering all travel costs, accommodation, insurances etc.) which needs to be raised in instalments by May 2021.  As my parents are unable to help me financially I will need to raise the full amount myself by sponsored events, fundraising activities etc.  I began raising money at the end of November and I have already raised enough funds to pay the deposit (£469) and I am well on my way to paying the cost of the first 20% payment (£938) which is due on 1st February 2020.  This has all been raised by cake sales, sponsored events, competitions etc.  I have also applied to local companies for sponsorship, donated prizes etc.  Raising such a large amount of money over a year and a half would be one of my biggest achievements and give me so much confidence, working for a goal over such a long time and making me overcome anxiety and lack of confidence by putting myself forward at fundraising events and meeting people.

WHAT I WILL BE DOING DURING THE EXPEDITION

I will be volunteering in 3 different communities in Peru where we will be working with local people to help make a real difference to their everyday lives.

EDUCATION: Helping generations of children and babies by building new school classrooms or kindergartens.   Helping to teach local school children some basic English.   HOUSING: Constructing vitally needed community housing from local materials.  HEALTHCARE & SANITATION: Improving the health of a whole community by installing and developing local amenities.  FOOD & WATER SECURITY: Creating a communal green house to provide vegetables all year round helping to combat hunger and malnutrition.  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: Replanting indigenous plants to offset environmental damage and deforestation.  SUSTAINABLE LIVEIHOODS: Digging irrigation channels to bring water from the mountains to nearby farms and houses; providing a more consistent supply of water to people, crops and animals.

I will also be undertaking an adventure challenge trek by walking the Salkantay Trail to the sacred ancient ruins of Machu Picchu through the Andes Mountains.  This will take us through dense lowland jungle, snow-capped mountains and across vast canyons.

This project closed unsuccessfully on 19th January 2020