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Fundraising for travelling and volunteering




Fundraising for a good cause


Michael Potter

Name: Mike Potter
Age: 33 (but young at heart!)
Currently: Helping out at a school in Lima, Peru



Hi Mike, how’s it going? So we’ve heard that your world travels currently find you in Lima, Peru. Give us a quick run down of what you’ve been up to pre-Peru...

Towards the end of last year I decided it was time to take some time out from my career and get back on the road. After nine months and nearly as many countries - including India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and China, I now find myself in the Peru for the second time.

So what’s the deal in Lima then and why are you hanging around?
I’ve always wanted to get involved in something and felt that Lima would be a good place to do that. I’ve got friends - Peruvian and foreign - here who I’ve kept in touch with from my previous visit almost three years ago. It makes settling a lot easier and much more fun!

You are working for an organisation right? How did that all come about?
One of my Peruvian friends introduced me to a local organisation that deal with overseas volunteers. I explained my situation and they offered me the opportunity of working at the school. After my first day I was absolutely hooked.

Michael with some of the school childrenTell us a bit about what you get up to day to day working at the school...
Because my command of Spanish is still somewhat basic, I’m unable to take classes by myself. However, I assist the volunteer teachers in whatever way I can and also play lots of football at break time. The kids drain every bit of energy that I have, but I go to bed with a very content feeling. I am also helping out with raising money for the school.

What are you raising money for?
One of my fellow volunteers has been working at the school for nearly two months now. When he arrived he found a fantastic new toilet block - recently built by the government, but without the essential pipes to bring the fresh water in and to take the sewage out. He decided to do something about it and set-up ‘Project Cleaner Hands’.

So what really captured your heart with this project?
The school is in a very challenging area of Lima and the facilities are basic to say the least. The kids have it hard enough as it is and I felt that with a little effort we could really make a big difference. I don’t think it’s much to ask to be able to flush the toilet or wash your hands.

How much money do you think you need to get everything up and working properly? Do you need materials donated too, or just cash?
We been given a quote of approximately $6,500 to complete the work. So far, through various means - including help from the local community - we’ve managed to raise over $3,500.

Fun at break timeHow are you going about raising funds for the completion of the school’s toilet facilities?
We have had several donations from independent organisations but the majority of the fundraising has been generated through family and friends. Fortunately, my fellow volunteers and I have some good contacts but we still have some way to go to achieve our target. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Are there any more volunteers needed to work alongside you?
At this stage the emphasis is purely on raising more cash. However, if anybody is interested in teaching at the school in the future, I would be more than willing to put them in contact with the right people.

So if anybody is interested in donating to the project, how can they contact you?
The best way to contact me is by e-mail. However, if you want to donate, please send all monies in the form of cheque, postal order or bank draft, made payable to BUNAC; with ‘Project Cleaner Hands’ and the name of the person making the donation written on the back.

Further info

BUNAC ‘Project Cleaner Hands’
16 Bowling Green
London
EC1R 0QH
United Kingdom

Click here >> to contact Michael about Project Cleaner Hands
Click here >> for more fundraising ideas

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