A FORMER head girl at Milford Haven School will be heading to Tanzania later this year to bring “positive change in the developing communities” with an international charity.

Isabelle Emile’s interest in international development started by a trip to Rwanda and Uganda last summer and in September next year will start a degree in African Studies and Development.

But before that Isabelle will be volunteering for 10 weeks with Raleigh International on a development programme in Tanzania as part of the International Citizen Service (ICS) scheme.

The scheme allows 18-25 year olds work as volunteers for 10-12 weeks in a developing country on projects that aim to improve the lives of people who are most in need.

“I'll be working alongside local volunteers from Tanzania on a project that focuses on natural resource management, water and sanitation. By working with other local volunteers it enables us to exchange ideas to find the most effective solutions to the problems that the people living in the community are facing,” said Isabelle.

Isabelle also needs to raise £800 by September 7 to help support the project and is hoping local people will help her achieve this.

She added: “As well as contributing to reducing poverty it also allows people like me to get a deeper understanding of development overseas and help build on skills such as teamwork and communication. ICS volunteers work alongside other local volunteers and exchange ideas to find effective solutions to problems faced by the people living in the region. The impacts of the projects volunteers carry out are sustainable and purposefully long-term.

“ICS works with communities that have specifically requested their help which means that we can build meaningful relationships within the community which can help the effectiveness of the projects that we seek to carry out. ICS aims to inspire people in the UK and overseas to become active citizens who are passionate about long-term community development. This is really important to me because I believe that with more knowledge and understanding of development the poverty can be reduced immensely.”

When she returns Isabelle will continue working with ICS and its ‘Action at home’ scheme which involves carrying out a project benefiting her local community in Milford Haven.

“This is important to me as I will be giving something back to my home town,” added Isabelle.

You can help support Isabelle and find out more at https://www.justgiving.com/izzyemile or https://izzybelletravels.wordpress.com/