Tess Neilson, 20, and Sam Darr, 23, will fly to Tanzania on January 18 with the Growth International Volunteer Excursions (GIVE).

“Sam and I will join lots of other volunteers and be directly involved in building the only secondary school in the region, teaching English to children, implementing large-scale fresh water projects to 12,000 locals and protecting endangered native sea turtles for four weeks,” she said.

“GIVE will continue to remain involved in these communities after volunteers have left Tanzania.

“They work within these communities year round to provide opportunities for sustainable development by funding teachers to work in the secondary school and funding doctors to provide medical care in these communities.”

Sam, and Tess who graduated from year 12 in 2012 and is in her second year of communications at the University of Newcastle, have to fund the trip themselves.

“The trip in total is going to cost in excess of $5000 each and I am asking for donations,” she said.

“All contributions will go directly to the cost for us to volunteer, including accommodation, food and in-country travel.

“We also have to have numerous rounds of injections and appropriate clothing such as work boots to carry out the projects.

“It’s extremely difficult for me to ask anyone for financial assistance, but any help is greatly appreciated.

“I am also looking for reading  books, colouring-in books, pencils and writing paper to take over with me – particularly for children in kinder to year 4.

“The children over there also like those loom band bracelets that are so popular here, so I would love to take some of them over too.”

Donations of money, either cash or cheques, can be left at the Dungog Chronicle office, as well as items to take over to the children.

For more information contact Tess on 0457 189 339 or email tess.kn.94@gmail.com