This summer might mark the end of school for Ramsey youngster Lucy Johnson but it will also be the start of a new big adventure for the 18-year-old who has been selected to join an ethical volunteering project in Malawi.

Lucy was chosen from a number of enthusiastic young Manx applicants to receive sponsorship via this One World Centre initiative after submitting a short essay from which she was short-listed for an interview.  Her trip will be organised by Quest Overseas, a specialist in gap year and volunteering experiences for young people.

The Malawi project which Lucy will join supports orphaned children who have lost their parents to HIV/Aids.  This will involve helping with building works and manning feeding centres, as well as playing with the younger children. Lucy will be working alongside local youth groups, other volunteers and Quest team leaders as part of a team to enhance the facilities for this community.

“I am extremely grateful to be given this amazing opportunity,” says Lucy.  “I am immensely excited and committed to working with local communities in Malawi and taking part in projects to aid children, making a positive contribution to their development.”

As part of her commitment, Lucy has to raise ?500 towards the project and is already thinking of ideas of how to achieve this.  “I have a number of ideas for the fundraising and I hope to get lots of support from my local community in raising the ?500,” she says.

The One World Centre has worked with a local charity, the Karsons Family Foundation, to secure the funding for this opportunity and, along with Lucy, is grateful to the sponsors for their support.

“This is a life-changing personal development opportunity for a young adult to be able to gain a greater understanding of other cultures, their ways of life and their daily difficulties.  She will subsequently be able to bring this understanding back to the Isle of Man, and share their experiences with her peers and friends upon her return. We are delighted to be able to offer this to Lucy,” said a representative of the sponsor.

Lucy is currently a student at Ramsey Grammar School where she is studying for her A-Levels.

Photo -  Getting set for Malawi: Lucy Johnson with Rosemary Clarke of the One World Centre.