A STAY in one of Africa's smallest countries beckons this September for Kendal student Alice Taylor.

The 18-year-old says she is "extremely excited" at the prospect of spending three months in Malawi with a host family, and working with young girls to raise awareness of sexual health.

Alice has just completed her studies at Kendal College in biology and applied medical science. Next year she will embark on occupational therapy at the University of Cumbria, and she hopes her African experience will benefit her future path.

"I am extremely excited for my trip to Malawi as it will be a complete new experience for me," said the teenager. "I can't wait to discover a new culture and way of life."

The landlocked country of Malawi, in south-east Africa, is home to around 16 million people. While there, Alice will be promoting sports such as netball, football and basketball in schools, and helping to spread messages about HIV/AIDS awareness, unplanned pregnancy and early marriage.

"Throughout my college course I have learnt a lot about HIV and AIDS. I also studied philosophy and ethics at school. My knowledge around these subjects is something I really want to share with the young girls I meet in Malawi, in order to help them lead safer lives and feel more empowered about the decisions they make," said Alice.

Day-to-day life will be "drastically" different from Kendal, she explained, as her host family are unlikely to have running water or electricity. "This could make simple tasks that we often take for granted (such as showering and using a mobile phone) much more difficult. I believe this experience will show me the reality that is faced by rural Malawians on a daily basis."

To take part in the International Citizen Service (ICS) project, Alice has been asked to raise £800. She said the money will go directly to ICS and Voluntary Service Overseas so they can continue to send young volunteers to places in need of help.

If you would like to donate online, visit www.justgiving.com/alice-taylor15.

To donate via text, text the amount (either £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10) and the code VSOM99 to 70070.