Emma swaps Chiswick for Honduras to take part in development project

Brownie Leader Emma Joyce, 24, from Chiswick, will embark on a journey of a lifetime on Sunday 10 August when she travels to Honduras to take part in an exciting community development project.

Alongside six other Girlguiding UK members, Emma will participate in the Guiding Overseas Linked with Development (GOLD) scheme – a key part of the association’s programme of activity which provides opportunities for personal development through projects overseas. The community development projects vary from teaching English as a foreign language to setting up and running a business skills training programme.

In 2008, GOLD guiding members will visit a whole host of countries worldwide, including Honduras, Madagascar, Russia, South Africa and Egypt.

Hosting Emma will be Guide members from Honduras – the Guias de Honduras. During her three week stay, Emma will be running camps and activity days on self-esteem, sexual health, teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. As well as working for the benefit of the local community the GOLD participants will gain valuable life skills and experience cultural diversity.

Emma has undergone a great deal of preparation for the trip, including attending three training days. As she is funding the entire travel cost herself, Emma needs to raise a total of £2050. To achieve this total Emma has run the British London 10k run in July, bag packed at Sainsbury’s in Tooting and sold her wares at Chiswick’s monthly car boot sales.

Emma said: “I am very excited to be part of such a unique experience. I’ve learnt so much about myself already just by training and fundraising for our trip to Honduras so I can’t wait to start the project on Sunday.”

Fellow Brownie Leader Ruth Charles said: “It’s really exciting that Emma is going on a GOLD trip. Our unit is looking forward to sharing the adventure on her return from this once in a lifetime guiding opportunity. Emma’s trip with her fellow team members will challenge their team work on both a physical and emotional level but they will return to the UK with a strong bond and life-long memories of their time in Honduras.”

August 5, 2008