Dale’s on a mission to fight poverty after inspirational trip to Zambia

A YOUNG man has returned to Swanage after three months working to help combat poverty in Zambia.

As part of the UK Government-funded development programme, International Citizen Service (ICS), Dale Mason worked on a project run by the development charity Restless Development.

He worked in the African nation to help promote safe sex among young people and to aid them into education and employment.

Now back home, the 19-year-old is hoping to continue raising awareness of the ICS, teenage pregnancy, corporal punishment and the importance of education.

Dale said: “It was really challenging but rewarding work in Zambia but now I’m back home I feel so inspired and motivated by the people I lived and worked with.”

He’ll now organise a series of public talks addressing the issues he encountered overseas. Dale also hopes to meet MPs and hold fundraising events.

Dale said: “My public meetings for raising awareness is just the first step to me becoming more active in my community and hopefully making a positive change in the world.

“I’m keen to get involved in encouraging more people to do ICS/development work and apply my new skills.”

ICS takes young people and places them on long-term development projects in one of 28 developing countries.

“I’ve picked up project management, leadership and communication skills as a result of ICS,” said Dale.

“It is a unique opportunity to work alongside people from a different culture who have requested help from young volunteers to fight poverty and I would encourage anyone aged 18-25 to get out there and do it.”

To find out more about ICS visit ics-uk-org.uk or call 020 2780 7400.

Source  http://www.swanageandwarehamadvertiser.co.uk/news/11517225.Dale_s_on_a_mission_to_fight_poverty_after_inspirational_trip_to_Zambia/