Pupils aim to aid the poor in India

Nov 19 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

PUPILS at a West Lothian school are set to link an international challenge with help for the community.

A team of students from S4 and S5 at Inveralmond Community High School, Livingston, are taking part in World Challenge which will see them travel to India next summer.

In order to fund the trip, the teenagers plan a series of fundraising events working with the local community.

Michael Mitchell, Jasmine Watson, Abbie Leitch, Amy Stuart, Tamara Miehe, Peter Hudson and Gavin King are planning a visit which will take in the Himalayas and the city of Agra to offer voluntary service in schools.

Teacher Claire Hutchby, who will accompany them, said they are keen to make sure they also help local people.

She said: “We are planning events like the community Christmas coffee morning we are having on December 18. We want to get the community involved with fundraising events and hopefully help if we can.”

The team will be leaving in the June of 2010 for a total of three weeks and this is being planned in conjunction with an Educational Initiative World Challenge who have over 25 years’ experience in organising such expeditions. During their trip, the teenagers will trek, will take part in a project such as eco volunteering or working in schools, and then will have a few days to see the sights.

Pupils will be raising their own funds for the trip and will be organising a number of fundraising events in the school over the next few months.

There has already been a non-uniform dress up/dress down day and an Inveralmond Teachers Have Got Talent evening in October. These will be followed by bag-packing.

The challenge was open to anyone who wanted to enter, but they had to prove they were driven enough to give their time and attention to the project.

Claire Hutchby added: “The main characteristics which had to be shown, were that the people who wanted to go were motivated, committed and could undertake the challenges expected.”

The school would like to hear from potential sponsors willing to support the desire to make the Curriculum for Excellence, Global Citizenship a reality.

Please contact Claire Hutchby or head teacher, Bill Tevendale, for more information or if you feel you can help. Tel: 01506 438093.