Young Manx people are being encouraged to think about spending next summer making a difference through an amazing opportunity being provided by The Karsons Family Foundation.

For the third year in a row, the Foundation is offering to sponsor a place for a young Manx person to join a Quest Overseas expedition working on a children’s project in either Rwanda, Malawi or Peru. The successful candidate will spend four or five weeks working on Quest’s popular ethical volunteering programme as well as enjoying some sightseeing in their chosen location.

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 24 at the time of the trip and will be expected to raise ?500 towards their costs, with the Foundation funding the remainder. Applications from youngsters who might not otherwise have the means to fund such a trip are particularly welcome.

Lucy Johnson and Emily Stephens, the previous successful candidates, both spent their time working with orphaned children in Malawi. Both said it was a life-changing experience.

“I had the most amazing time on the trip and didn’t want to leave!” said Emily, who took part last year. “I was based in a small village in a rural area and helped build a kitchen and playground for the children, as well spending time getting to know the villagers and the other volunteers and helping with a nutrition programme.

“It is really enlightening to find out what life is like in other places in the world and, although the area I was working in was very poor, the hospitality and friendliness of the people was outstanding.

“I can’t thank the Karsons Family Foundation enough for giving me this experience. It has made me think more carefully about what I want to do with my life and it has already had a positive influence on my further education choices.

“It is a wonderful opportunity and I would urge anyone thinking about it to put an application in.”

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 20th January 2017 and short-listed candidates will be interviewed in February. More information is on the One World Centre website www.oneworldcentreiom.org.

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 - Emily with local children at Chilawena village in rural Malawi.