The concept of volunteering in developing countries has taken a beating in recent years as it can be seen as rich kids just having an adventure under the cover of doing good. So the first question we asked Hannah what her motivation was.

She pointed out that “anything you do for others is rewarding so it’s OK to enjoy yourself.” But she went on to explain how Raleigh International work and how they make sure that the help given is actually useful to the communities involved. “It’s about helping the communities we visit with some of the basic needs that we take for granted.” 

Raleigh International has a long history, going back to an earlier idea by HRH Prince Charles for Operation Drake in 1978 and Operation Raleigh in 1984. The experience they have developed means that they avoid many of the pitfalls of the “sticky plaster” culture of short-term solutions.

Their website explains: “We believe that when local communities and young people work side by side to create positive change, it empowers them. And it’s the energy and motivation of empowered people that creates lasting change.”

Hannah has to raise £3,500 to take part in the project, but this doesn’t go towards flights or other personal preparations; the majority of this, about 80%, goes towards funding the project itself (and the rest goes to admin costs such as fund raising, recruitment, etc.)

When I asked how she would pay for her other costs she replied: “Well I have a job.” It’s reassuring to know that money from fund raising actually goes to those who need it. 

Hannah explained that she had chosen to go with Raleigh International as she had never done anything like this before: she would like to go with an established organisation first and perhaps work with smaller outfits later on. 

On this trip, three months starting in June next year, Hannah will live with a local community in Tanzania and mainly help with sanitation projects, of crucial importance to health and wellbeing.

Hannah has raised over half the money she needs from Just Giving (www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hannahcrookraleigh) and two quiz night fund raisers in Battle. She’s hoping to organise a small concert in Hastings in the near future. The amount of organisation all this involves has been quite a surprise but “It’s all good learning experience”, she says.

Hannah has promised to write about her experiences, so we hope to tell you more of her in the future.