Are you under 25 and looking for a chance to do something worthwhile next summer? The Karsons Family Foundation is offering an amazing opportunity for a young Manx person to join a Quest Overseas expedition working with children in either Rwanda, Malawi or Peru.

The Foundation is looking to recruit a local youngster, who must be between 18-24 at the time of the trip, to participate in Quest’s ethical volunteering programme. The Foundation particularly welcomes applications from youngsters who might not otherwise have the means to fund such a trip.

The successful candidate will spend 4 or 5 weeks working on a project that particularly benefits children in one of the locations. They will also be asked to fundraise ?500 towards their own personal costs of the expedition, with the Karsons Foundation funding the rest.

This the second year the opportunity has been offered and Lucy Johnson from Ramsey was the lucky recipient of the first sponsored expedition which took place earlier in 2015. Lucy spent a month working with orphaned children in Malawi and said she found it a “truly life changing experience”.

“I made many friends and memories which I will cherish and remember fondly forever. Knowing that I have directly contributed to a local community for the benefit of those less fortunate fills me with an immense sense of achievement.

“I am extremely grateful to have been given this incredible opportunity and I could not recommend it highly enough for anyone to do."

You can find out more about Lucy’s experience on the One World Centre website at www.oneworldcentreiom.org/what-else/. 

The Karsons Family Foundation is being assisted in the selection process by the One World Centre and potential candidates should apply by email to info@owciom.org giving their details along with up to 1,000 words explaining:

• Why they should be the successful candidate
• Which project they would like to be part of and why
• How they expect this opportunity to fit in with their plans for work or further study
• What experience or knowledge they have of other cultures
• Some practical examples of what they have done to help others
• How they plan to raise ?500

The closing date for applications is 15th January 2016 and short-listed candidates will be interviewed in February.

The expedition is organised by Quest Overseas, a company which specialises in gap year and short term experiences overseas whilst championing ethical volunteering, responsible travel and sustainable development. More information is available at www.questoverseas.com. 

Photo - Lucy with children at the orphanage in Malawi.