A Shrewsbury graduate is encouraging other young people to volunteer after returning from working on a project tackling child poverty in Bolivia.
Katy Davies, 22, worked alongside volunteers in a nursery on the outskirts of the capital city, La Paz for 3 months between September and December, as part of the government funded development programme, International Citizen Service (ICS). After a fundraising drive in the summer, Katy helped the family-ran development charity, Up Close Bolivia, which aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged children through care and education. As well as looking after nursery-aged children, Katy was responsible for updating social media for the charity.
ICS allows young people aged 18-25 to contribute to long-term development projects in one of 28 developing countries. The scheme supports young people to make a genuine difference to communities around the world, and to develop personally in team-working and leadership.
Katy is now using her experience to improve awareness of international development and encourage others to be part of the scheme. This ‘Action at Home’ means that UK and overseas communities will benefit from the skills that volunteers gain while working in developing countries. Volunteers are encouraged to use their Action at Home to raise awareness about their overseas work and increase understanding of global development issues, or support a project in their home community.
Katy said: “My ICS placement has been a truly amazing experience – working in the nursery set up by Emma, an ex British volunteer and her Bolivian husband Rolando was challenging but so rewarding. There was never a dull moment! I felt inspired by the people I lived and worked with, and now I’m back home, want to show young people how they can make a positive change to their lives and others. I’m really keen to get more people involved in ICS’s work or other voluntary and development projects by talking to young people in schools and colleges.
“I’ve learnt essential organisation, leadership, and communication skills whilst helping others. There are so many great reasons to volunteer overseas with ICS and I’d recommend anyone aged 18-25 to get out there and do it! Or if you know someone of this age, please make them aware of this opportunity!”
Brian Rockliffe, Director of ICS, said: ‘We’re passionate about investing in young people, our future leaders, and using their energy to tackle poverty. Our experience of working with young people shows they want to challenge the status quo, take on some of the big issues and make a difference. ICS creates active citizens who make a lifelong contribution to positive change in the UK and developing countries.”
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