Kirkby Lonsdale student fundraises for Ghana trip

Rachel Thorp, 16, will be volunteering with ProjectsAbroad, an organisation dedicated to supporting communities in developing countries.

The Queen Elizabeth School student, who is keen to pursue a medical carer, will be assisting with blood tests, malaria tests and general healthcare education.

Rachel, who lives in Over Kellet, is looking forward to the experience but recognises it will be a challenge.

She said: “During my time in Ghana I will be helping in local villages, schools and community centres performing a range of tasks. This will include testing blood pressure, dressing minor wounds and malaria testing. I will also be helping with educational talks about hygiene, first aid and other common health issues."

The three week placement will take place in July 2018, when Rachel will fly out on her own to Accra, Ghana. During her stay, she will be living with a local family.

The project combines outreach work in local communities, camps and schools with one day per week spent observing at a local hospital or clinic.

At the weekend Rachel will be taken to visit either one of Ghana's stunning palm fringed beaches or the Kakum Rainforest Reserve near Cape Coast. She will also have the opportunity to visit Cape Coast's old slave fort.

Rachel is hoping to raise funds to assist with the £2,800 total cost of flights, placement and visa.

She has already begun fundraising by babysitting, cake sales and setting up online fundraising platforms.

“I will be making a direct contribution to improving access to basic healthcare and by staying with a local host family I will also be making a significant contribution to a poorer and less economically developed country," she said. "In the future, I hope to study medicine and I think this will be a valuable experience."

Anyone wishing to support Rachel’s work can do so by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rachel-thorp or https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/rachel-thorp/