Year 9 student Ella Cummins has raised £100 towards her school trip to Tanzania by organising a Mother’s Day raffle at school and in her local community.
Ella is one of 14 Brooke Weston students from Year 9 to Year 12 who are taking part in a three week expedition to Tanzania in July 2018. The expedition costs £3,495 and students have each taken on the challenge to raise the money themselves through school events, raffles and sponsorship. This is a huge undertaking for anyone and requires a great deal of organisation and motivation from every student.
Ella said ‘I want to go to Tanzania as I think it is a good chance for me to experience different things, make new friends and build my confidence. It’s a once in a life opportunity.
‘It took a lot of confidence to go up to teachers and knock on my neighbors doors to sell the tickets for the raffle, it must have taken me half an hour to build up my courage to even leave the house. Most people bought tickets though and from knocking on my neighbor’s doors I am now tutoring a little boy three times a week with all the money going towards the trip.'
In the lead up to the expedition students are meeting regularly to plan and organise fundraising events and to make arrangements themselves. They have already decided the expedition will include a safari, working on a charity project in a primary and secondary school and completing two hikes; one which will be physically challenging and one which will be guided by Maasai people.
Science teacher Ms Sophie Reynolds said ‘This is an amazing opportunity for the students to experience and one that they will remember for the rest of their lives. I think the whole process of fund raising, brainstorming and planning the trip all helps to build confidence and self esteem, which will help them now and later in life. It is hoped that further expeditions will take place in the future if there is sufficient demand, with the next one likely to be offered for summer 2020.’