Life Changing Experience

Going on Expedition with Raleigh in 2016 was the most fulfilling time of my life so far. I have felt passionate about international development for a long time and studied this at university, so this was the perfect opportunity to use the knowledge I gained, and experience this in a real world context.
The 250km trek through Iringa was hands-down the most physically and mentally challenging thing I have ever experienced, but it was an incredible achievement for me personally. Having never even been camping before it was definitely a shock at first! But I quickly got used to it; enjoying being outdoors so much and away from social media/the 9-5 routine. Within the first couple of days I had already gained such strong bonds with my fellow volunteers, and we are still friends to this day. I also gained valuable leadership skills which massively helped to build my confidence. By leading the group twice during the trek and delegating tasks, I was able to learn more about myself and accept that you don't necessarily need to be an extrovert to be a good leader.
The second and last phase for me in Tanzania was the SWASH (School Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) project, in a rural village called Peluhanda. As a part of this project, we contributed to the construction of a toilet block for the female students at the local primary school, in collaboration with a local NGO, Southern Highlands Participatory Organization (SHIPO). We also carried out awareness raising activities and action days, centred around improving hygiene practices for the students as well as the wider community. This was one of my favourite aspects of the expedition as it was inspiring seeing how enthusiastic the children were to learn. Knowing that even just a small difference was being made in their lives was humbling. I also really enjoyed living in a homestay and immersing myself in the Tanzanian culture - the people are so friendly and welcoming!
One year on from starting my expediton, I was lucky enough to get a job at Raleigh's head office in London, and I have been working here for just over 6 months. Overall, my experience with Raleigh has impacted me more than I can really put into words. I would recommend it to anyone!