Eleanor's World Challenge Trip to Ecuador

In the summer of 2021, after I have finished my GCSEs, I will be participating in a World Challenge trip to Ecuador with my school for 3 weeks. While we are out there, we will be involved in a project to help improve sustainable tourism locally. The idea of sustainable tourism is growing in Ecuador to help boost their economy, replacing very harmful industries that have been a key part of their lives, but destroying the planet and hugely contributing to global warming in doing so. By helping local communities kick start their new way of earning money, it will drastically improve their quality of life and help protect the environment at the same time. Examples of ways we will be helping these communities is by planting trees, which will contribute towards the reforestation effort in Ecuador, (to replace the huge amount that have been cut down over the years to create farm land) and helping to build buildings like tourism centres or accommodation. We will also be helping within local Ecuadorian communities by taking part in a language exchange, by teaching the locals some English and them teaching us some Spanish in return.

Another aspect of what we will be doing within our three weeks in Ecuador, is taking part in challenging treks, using the amazing biodiversity of Ecuador to our advantage. We will not only be adventuring through Ecuador's cloud forests, but trekking up mountains as well, which will help us to develop not only our physical skills, but our social and mental ones also, by working and communicating as a team and learning about new cultures.

However, part of the whole challenge aspect of this experience is raising the money to enable us to go. We are required to raise £4000 in order to go, which is obviously an awful lot of money, covering every imaginable cost you could think of - including flights, equipment and vaccinations. This is where you come in, without the money needed not only would we not be able to experience all of these amazing opportunities we have been offered, but we would not be able to improve the lives of Ecuadorian communities, who really need our help. By not only contributing your donations on here, but also attending our many fundraising events we are organising in the future, you can help fulfil a dream of mine that I've had for a very long time, while helping Ecuadorian communities in need at the same time. Any amount, no matter how big or small will be very much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any contributions you may be able to make. This would not be possible without you.