Cousins' African mission to help vulnerable children and endangered animals

A YOUNG Ballivor woman and her cousin are travelling to Africa next month where they will volunteer for three months in South Africa and Tanzania. Amy Gilton, Ballivor and Isobel Fox of Raharney will spend eight weeks volunteering in Kruger National Park, followed by four weeks or more in Tanzania.

"During our time in Kruger (far right), we will help with the conservation of endangered wildlife," Amy explains.

"The last four weeks will be spent in Tanzania helping with community development, including teaching young children English and assisting the vulnerable in the community. The project is designed to make a real and genuine impact on young peoples lives in Tanzania, most specifically young women and girls."

The duo are paying for the trip themselves, undertaking the cost of flights, transfers, vaccinations and tablets, but are hoping to raise money to bring over with them to help the projects they will be working on.

"We are walking five miles every, come rain hail or sleet until we leave for Africa.

""We are using the app MapMyWalk, which we upload each day to social media and our GoFundMe link," Amy explains.

"Some days we do the walk together and others, we do it on our own, and it can be difficult when we get in from work to have to face out again in wind and rain."

Amy, a daughter of Avril and Carl McDonnell and Isobel, a daughter of Anne Marie and Jeff Fox are both recent graduates of the Technological University of the Shannon in Athlone.

Amy graduated with a Masters in Digital Marketing, while Isobel achieved a Masters in Business.

Amy is working for a media agency based in Galway and Isobel works for Electric Ireland and they are both working from home.

While in Kruger National Park, the cousins will be working with conservation charities to protect endangered animals and habitats as well as educating local people on the importance of conserving animals and the dangers of poaching.

"Isobel is particularly interested in the animals, while my biggest interest is community development," says Amy.

In Tanzania, the pair will travel to the island of Zanzibar, where they will teach English and community development and in particular help children and young women with health and hygiene.

They are travelling with a group called African Impact and are leaving on 3rd February.

"As this is all volunteer work, we need help in our endeavours to help the vulnerable animals and children in these communities. We know that it is just after Christmas and people may be struggling, but any contribution would be greatly appreciated. We have paid for the majority of this volunteer project ourselves, but these funds will go mainly towards supplies that the children of Tanzania may need," Amy explains.

"We appreciate any donations no matter how big or small."