Expedition to Peru and Bolivia

I am 16 year old, 5th year student at Aboyne Academy and this year I am going to sit my Higher exams. In 6th year it is my intention to continue with my studies at advanced Higher level.

My interest is in Film and Media and I will either continue my studies in this field at University, or investigate the possibilities that lie within the Oil and Gas industry where I may be able to follow a similar course but this time as an apprentice or technician.

I am very busy in and out of school at the moment. During the school day my studies keep me busy and out of school I am involved in amateur dramatics with a local amateur group in Tarland and a Youth Musical Theatre in Aboyne. I am learning to play Cello, Guitar and Bass and with my friends we are about to form a band. I see the next few years of my like being very hectic, as I will soon be in the transition between school and work, meaning I won’t have time to explore or even go on long trips to learn and embrace the world around me.

Aboyne Academy has given me an opportunity to travel to South America for 28 days where, with others in my group I will live and work with youngsters in the remote areas of Peru and Bolivia.

The adventure will allow me to trek and camp under the stars in some of the most beautiful and historical regions in the Andes. It is in the Andes that I will be living and working with a community in the Sacred Valley. Projects in the Sacred Valley are seen as cultural exchange programmes as much as a development project, where the community and myself will expand knowledge of each others worlds.

I am currently working to raise money that will enable me to take part in this project. Raising this money is going to be a challenge, but one I am looking forward to. I have enlisted help from my friends and family. I currently have a weekend job which will cover part of the costs and as a major fundraiser I intend to embark on a sponsored cycle across Scotland, from Cape Wrath to John O’Groats and onto Tarland, a distance of 300 miles across some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery, and more than a few steep hills!

I would be happy to come talk to you after the trip, hopefully to inspire your staff, telling you about my thoughts and feelings about the world around us before and after the trip. I would also be happy to write an article for you on the same basis before and after the trip. When going on my cycle around Scotland and during other fund-raising events if you would allow me I would be happy to put your logo on t-shirts that I would be wearing.

If you can help me with sponsorship, I would be grateful, even the smallest amount would be a help.