South Africa Volunteering Adventure

An intrepid learner at Solihull Sixth Form College is looking forward to a dream trip to South Africa to volunteer with an animal conservation programme, after being awarded funds from the College's Kitson Community Bursary.

An £800 grant has been awarded from the Kitson Award for Services to the Community to Year 13 student Chloe O'Reilly, after she applied for funding. Chloe put together a presentation and delivered it to a panel of judges in order to get the award, which will help pay for the costs associated with going on the trip. The funds are given out each year to support students in undertaking community projects in the UK and overseas and are made in memory of Terry Kitson, a former governor of the College.

Chloe's trip will take place in July 2025 and will see her working for The Mighty Roar at the Amakhala Game Reserve near Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth). Her volunteering will include tracking animals, maintaining the environment (such as monitoring erosion near the water holes) and working within schools and community centres nearby.

Chloe commented:

"I've been involved in volunteering since I was 13 and I've always wanted to volunteer abroad. I was torn between this and another volunteer project in Bali, but I love anything to do with animals, so this project with the Mighty Roar really appealed to me. I'm told there is a friendly elephant out there called Norman and I can't wait to meet him!"

Chloe is currently in her final year of A level studies in Biology, Criminology and Psychology and hopes to continue her Psychology studies at university when she finishes at the College.

Further fundraising for this project is taking place, with Chloe running a fundraiser in College on Wednesday 4 December at 10.15am to include a cake sale, games and more. She will also complete a Wolf Run through mud and obstacles on 12 April 2025. There is a Go Fund Me page for anyone wanting to support Chloe’s fundraising.

14 November 2024