Altona’s Caleb Walmsley is among a group of 60 students from Williamstown High School who will travel to Africa in November to undertake charity work in remote villages.
The year 11 student, who received $200 of Hobsons Bay council funding, must raise $7500 for the enterprise which is run by school expedition company World Challenge.
“I’m going to Zambia and Botswana,” he said. “I’m going to a small community and help out there for a week, restoring and building new dwellings and other things for them.
“I hope to ensure that we can improve their buildings and their daily lives. I don’t like seeing someone struggling and it’s good to help people.
“I’m worried that I’m going to be really upset about it, about how privileged we are compared to their society.
“Other than that, I’m really looking to put myself up for the challenge.”
World Challenge’s head of school support, Samantha Aparo, said project details for three Williamstown teams were still being finalised.
“As we work with developing countries and many communities are in need of help, we assess which of our projects will best benefit from our teams visiting them closer to their departure,” she said.
“In the past, teams have built houses for school teachers, repaired classrooms, painted murals, built playgrounds, planted vegetable gardens and been involved with conservation efforts in the surrounding areas. Projects across Zambia and Botswana are largely focused on renovation or maintenance work in a local community.”
To help fund Caleb’s journey, visit www.facebook.com/calebworldchallenge
