My name is Amelia Harrington, and I am a 15-year-old Transition Year student from Wexford.

Myself and other students from Loreto Wexford have been given the amazing opportunity to volunteer with Melon Educate in Cape Town, South Africa, in March 2026.

This immersive charity placement allows students to support Mellon Educate’s mission to improve education in under-resourced communities. During this week, I will take part in a wide range of hands-on activities, including:

I will spend time at a local primary school helping children develop their literacy skills.

Students will also help with construction around the school, with jobs that include painting and bricklaying.

In addition, I will get to know students our age at a local high school, where we will share experiences and learn from each other's cultures. We will also spend a day visiting local communities and villages to help learn more about life in Cape Town.

If you would like to learn a little more about the TY programme, you can find further information here: https://melloneducate.com/transition-year-programme-2026/

I know this trip will be life-changing, as I will get the opportunity to help make a small difference and also, understand different cultures, developing friendships around the world.

We each need to raise €3,500 for Mellon Educate to take part in the TY programme. I will organise fundraisers in my community, but any donation, no matter how small, you can give me here, will help me join this incredible opportunity.

Thank you for reading this, and your contribution. It means so much to me.

Amelia Harrington