Worthing teenagers on international aid missions

HELPING to protect up to 400 baby turtles in Costa Rica, clearing a dam in Borneo and building a new school in India are just some of the projects in which three Worthing teenagers are involved.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Nov 2009, 16:32 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:06 BST

Chris Braggs, Toni-Marie Clowser and Dan O'Neill are busy taking part in voluntary 10-week expeditions with Raleigh International.

The trio raised 2,500 between them to pay for their trips to the three countries by organising a tea party and a sponsored pier-to-pier walk from Worthing to Brighton.

Hard work

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Kerry Mann, from Worthing Connexions Centre, which helped the teenagers prepare for the expeditions, said: "We are incredibly proud of Chris, Toni-Marie and Dan.

"They put in a lot of hard work to go on the expeditions, especially as none of them had ever been abroad before.

"It was a big deal to go so far from home alone."

School building

Chris, 18, from Worthing, is in India building a new school and renovating existing facilities.

He is also spending time in Bandipur National Park, helping protect elephants and tigers from poachers.

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He said: "I feel I need to get a new perception of other cultures because I don't understand other people's beliefs and I want to see how different life in Britain really is."

Turtle protection

Toni-Marie, 17, from Lancing, is in Costa Rica helping to protect turtles from poachers when they lay eggs at night.

So far, over a two-night period, her group has potentially saved 400 baby turtles.

She is also helping to build forest walkways.

Water systems

Dan, 18, from Worthing, is in Borneo helping to build new kindergarten schools.

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He will also be helping to clear dams and creating new water systems, as well as digging the foundations for a suspension bridge.

Before leaving to help re-build the overseas communities, none of the teenagers was working or studying.

Connexions

After they completed a three-week "It's all about me" engagement programme at the Connexions Centre in Chapel Road, they were told about the opportunity to go abroad.

Connexions and the West Sussex Youth Service has started running more "It's all about me" projects with 11 young people currently not in education, employment or training.

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There will also be another three-week course later in November.

Anyone aged between 16-19, who is interested in finding out more, should contact Sue McCabe or Kerry Mann at the Connexions Centre in Chapel Road or call 01903 205612.

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