TWENTY South Essex students will be travelling to the other side of the world to trek the Himalayas and help an underprivileged village in 2011.
Working in partnership with travel company, World Challenge for four years, The Billericay School is currently preparing pupils in Year 10 for the journey of a lifetime to India and with many challenges ahead of them, including becoming physically fit to travel across the famous terrain, the students will also have to raise £3,000 each for their tickets.
Accompanied by Geography teacher Mr Brendan Murnane, the young team will travel to India and the Himalayas for 28 days, visiting the Taj Mahal, trek across the Himalayas, go white water rafting and help to repair an underprivileged village.
Lauren Monk, 15, who will be taking part in the expedition says: “We’ll be doing whatever we can to improve these people’s lives. From redecorating and improving classrooms to ploughing fields and planting crops or constructing a playground for children who aren’t as privileged as we are."
Lauren, pictured with fellow student and rospective travller Emma Brighton (right), is hoping to raise £3,000 through various activities including holding a stall at Sunnymede School’s Christmas fair on 16 December, holding quiz nights and going skydiving.
“I’m participating in something that is about self-discovery, exploration and an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience,” continues Lauren.
“I can’t wait! I am lucky to have a great group of people as a team, and I am sure that we will all make each other stronger.
“We are lucky that we were chosen and we will definitely not look back!”
If you are interested in sponsoring Lauren she would be grateful if you emailed her on: lauren-monk@hotmail.co.uk