In a little over 12 months these teenagers will travel to Timor Leste as part of the successful Community Immersion Program.
The students — Jemma Coombs, Abbey Marshall, Meg Marsden, Niamh Mason, Lily Sharp, Clay Webb, Will Sexton, Justin Lawton, Sarah Orro and Elle Rochford — are going to donate medical aid, education supplies and learn about the country.
They will also be under the watchful eye of guardians Rhett Armstrong, Kelly Lawlor, Lisa Small and Yasmine McGrath.
Before the students travel to East Timor they will spend as much time as possible volunteering and running fundraisers to help build the required $30,000 to pay for medical supplies.
Jemma said the program is a great opportunity to help her skills as a person.
‘‘I felt like it was a chance to help out a third world country and benefit my skills working in a team.
‘‘I wanted to have a go at something worthwhile that’ll be good for both me and others.
‘‘Everything we raise goes to Timor; not to us. That’s why we offer to work at community events,’’ Jemma said.
Will said for many of the students it’s the first time volunteering and doing general community work.
‘‘We’re going to be helping around the community when we can. We recently helped out at the Finley Tractor Pull.
‘‘I’m looking forward heading over there. It’s a struggling country and anything we can do to help out is important for them.’’
The Timor Leste Immersion Program is a bi-annual trip.
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