Anthony’s gearing up for Borneo trip
Ten-week programme of volunteer work
A Rutherglen man is fundraising for the trip of a lifetime which will also see him work with vulnerable communities in Borneo.
Anthony Latta will travel to the South Pacific island in the new year to undertake a 10-week programme of volunteering with Raleigh International.
The charity appoints young people to long-term development projects where they gain valuable skills while making a tangible contribution to people living in poverty.
Anthony, 20, will live and work in a rural community in Borneo where he will be getting stuck in to sustainable community and environmental projects.
He said: “The community phase could be anything from building schools to toilets to laying pipes for water. It will depend on what the community needs at that time.
“I was attracted to the programme because, at the age I am now, I have some free time on my hands and my whole life ahead of me. I wanted to do something different and make a difference to someone, to do something useful for other people.”
Anthony has been aware of international development programmes all his life as his mother, Terri, undertook a volunteering trip to Cameroon in her youth.
“It’s something we talked about growing up and it’s something that I wanted to do myself,” Anthony added. “She described it as life-changing.”
As part of the trip Anthony will also take part in a trek through the jungle in Borneo where he will walk for miles every day and camp out overnight.
It will take him and fellow volunteers out of their comfort zone and develop leadership and team skills.
Stacey Adams, CEO of Raleigh International, said: “Raleigh expeditions are designed to challenge and support our volunteers to develop skills that will have a positive impact not just on their lives, but also in their home communities upon their return.
“We believe in the passion, energy and creativity of young people and recognise that they must be involved with development if it is to be sustainable for future generations”.
Anthony, a former Cathkin High School student, is now on a mission to raise as much money for Raleigh International as possible and has a target of £3,500.
He has completed a sponsored climb on Ben Lomond and has a bag pack planned, as well as party night.
All funds raised will contribute towards making tangible and lasting change in rural communities in Borneo, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Nepal and Tanzania where Raleigh International operates ongoing volunteer expeditions.
To donate to Anthony’s fundraising bid log on to justgiving.com/fundraising/anthony-martin- latta.
We believe in the passion, energy and creativity of young people