Two students are preparing for their trip of a lifetime to volunteer in Africa this summer to help them follow their dreams.

Isabelle Lockwood, 16 and Olivia Johnston, 20, have ditched regular summer jobs and festival outings to help communities in Kenya and Tanzania to give something back to those less fortunate than themselves.

Shelley College pupil Isabelle will join 19 other students from her college who will fly out in July with Camps International to undertake four weeks of working in the community and in conservation of local habitats and help a local community become more self sufficient.

Meanwhile Kirklees College student Olivia will help deliver babies in Tanzania through Projects Abroad, which she hopes will enable her to gain a placement on a midwifery course back in the UK.

The adventurous pair decided to

Isabelle, of Manorstead in Skelmanthorpe, needs to raise £3,800 to secure her place on the trip, which will be used to provide building materials and creating jobs for local people.

During their stay the group will construct toilets, water pumps, and other buildings required by the community.

She said: “It will be amazing and I’m looking forward to helping build facilities that will improve the quality of life for people living there.

Isabelle Lockwood going to Kenya
Isabelle Lockwood going to Kenya

“I think it’s important to go on trips like this to appreciate how fortunate we are comparatively and to enrich our lives by learning about different cultures.

“I’ve also had to learn Swahili to communicate with the villagers which I think is a fantastic opportunity.”

Olivia, who lives in Hallas Road, Kirkburton, will head off on her own for one month in June to an as yet unknown destination in Tanzania.

She said: “I’ve never been so excited in my life and am really looking forward to working alongside experts in the field.

“I will be doing more of the aftercare and watching how the midwives deliver babies.

“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity and I hope to use what I learn to help me get a place on a midwifery course in September next year.

“I hope it will be a rewarding experience.”

A raffle, which costs £1 per ticket, has been set up to help Isabelle reach her fundraising goal.

Anyone who would like to buy a ticket or to donate any money to her appeal should contact her by calling 01484 866890.

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