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Camps International

when is this on?

This isn't scheduled anytime soon.

This film traces the highs and lows of a three month project in which a group of young volunteers build a school in a small community in Kenya.

They recount their experiences, talking about their fears and triumphs. If you've ever dreamt of volunteering overseas, but have yet to make that dream a reality, then this intoxicating mix of beautiful footage and inspiring testimony will have you booking your flights today.

Camps InternationalThe prospect of spending three months in a remote African village, far away from family and friends, is one that unsettles many of the young British volunteers working with Camps International – an organisation dedicated to organising development-based volunteering opportunities for gap year students.

"I was very worried before I came out about the whole experience but I’m so glad I went through with it. There was a time when I really thought I would cancel but thinking about that now it’s just nuts! What a waste of time that would have been," says one young man.

The project is hard work for everyone involved and is certainly no holiday, although there is plenty of fun to be had in and around the camp. The volunteers are helping the local community to build a new school for more than five hundred children who would otherwise receive their lessons sitting under a tree.

As one of the teachers explains: "The children are really happy and the teachers really appreciate the system. You can see they have been really appreciating you (the volunteers), as you assist them and work with them, because they now know they will get permanent classrooms. They’ve been suffering for long – imagine 500 kids sitting under a tree – it’s really a problem."

Camps InternationalThe volunteers live together in a purpose built camp where they cook, clean, eat and work together forging strong bonds and team spirit. Their work on the school involves some seriously heavy labour, however, and it’s not long before the blisters form and the sweat begins to flow.

Under a scorching African sun the young volunteers clear and level the land; carry all the building material; build, plaster and paint the walls; erect the roofing and much more. Back-breaking work but an ultimately rewarding and life-changing experience for everyone involved.

"I feel like I’ve made a bit of an impact on the community and made a bit of a difference. I feel like I’ve used the three months and really enjoyed myself. I think that’s the most important thing for me," says one proud volunteer.

Another has these words of advice for anyone considering a similar volunteering opportunity: "If anybody has the opportunity to do something like this, my message is to grab it with both hands and make the most out of it."

This programme provides a sense of the adventure involved in overseas volunteering work, and what it was like for this group to immerse themselves in a new culture and landscape.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 01 June 2006 )
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