UCS English graduate is planning a Haiti adventure
An English graduate from University Campus Suffolk is fundraising to help her take part in an adventure, doing charity work in Haiti this summer.
Fran Jones,23, is joining a group of other young women, from across London and the South East, in a Girl Guide Association arranged group visiting Haiti and help with the re-building work, in schools, following the earthquake disaster.
This once-in-a-lifetime trip, in August, is part of an international programme which encourages Girlguiding members to travel and make a positive difference around the world.
There is still lots of reconstruction work needing to be done in that country following the 2010 earthquake.
Fran said: “There is still a lot of re-building work that needs to be done in Haiti, including schools and helpin with sustainability.
“Putting in water filters, to provide clean drinking water, is very important for the communities which were devastated. We will be working with young people there.”
Fran, who was School Officer of Arts and Humanities at UCS, and Unit Leader at 20th Ipswich Brownies, has been busy raising funds ahead of her trip by holding raffles, breakfast sales and bag packing.
Fran said: “I never realised how much effort it would be to raise £2800, but everyone has been so supportive and I love a challenge! My Ipswich family, including my ‘old’ Brownie unit, have been fantastic and really encouraging me. I think sometimes other see when you’re capable of something more than yourself, especially when they’ve worked with you so long!”
Once on her international adventure, Fran, will take part in a service project with some time afterwards for sight-seeing and other activities.
The group will get involved with a local development project focussing on improving access to safe water since the earthquake in 2010. Helping locals fit water filters in their new homes and educating children about water hygiene will be a really eye opening and exciting experience.
Fran said: “I’m really looking forward to experiencing a totally new environment and knowing that our volunteering will make a lasting difference to the areas we visit.”
The trip is taking place thanks to Girlguiding LaSER’s (London and South East England) programme LaSERIO, which offers international adventures to around 50 young women aged 14 to 25 each year.
The young women plan their own trip, choosing the activities they want to do and deciding how they want to make a positive difference during their trip.
Fran is now working full-time, and is running a Brownie and Rainbow group in Romford in her spare time.
She said: “I am actively fundraising myself. I am organising an Easter Egg hunt, a bingo night and a quiz. It is important to do it yourself if you are asking other people to support you.”
Every year, Girlguiding sends hundreds of young women on international trips across the globe – empowering them to take part in vital community development work, explore new cultures and develop their sense of adventure.
To find out more about Girlguiding, the UK’s leading charity for girls and young women visit www.girlguiding.org.uk
If you would like to contribute to Fran’s fundraising efforts visit: https://www.justgiving.com/Francesca-Jones1
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