From Wakefield to Tanzania - one man's pledge to help some of the world's poorest people

Aron Thompson, 23, from Ossett, will travel to Tanzania on in June this year with international development organisation Raleigh International, as part of the UK government funded International Citizen Service (ICS) programme.

He will work in partnership with young volunteers from Tanzania and the UK to help lift some of the world’s poorest people out of poverty.

He will also live with a local host family to fully immerse himself into the community and gain a better understanding of the challenges people there face.

Before Aron leaves for Tanzania, he needs to raise £800 for Raleigh International.

Aron said: "As a writer, I’m bursting with excitement at the chance of writing about my time in Tanzania.

"I’ve always wanted to write a book on the hardships of two community’s and how we can help one another grow. I.e. the struggles of my own area met with the struggles of another unlike my own.

"I’m hoping my placement will provide me with such an insight that I can bring new eyes onto two different communities, inspiring generations to understand the hardship of others. "

He said: "Writing Our World back is set to be a global campaign that will offer anyone the chance to be a writer. Set to give a voice to the people, anyone who takes part must simply write a page about anything they consider to be impactful in their own life.

"After donating £3 or more at their choosing, they will email said page to myself. Which I will then sort in the order I receive, then into the intended book form.

"Each writer having their very own page with their very own story told. All donations will be going to Raleigh International. Any profit at a later date when the books finished, will also be donated to Raleigh."

The money Aron raises will ensure that communities in developing countries continue to benefit from the work of future volunteers

ICS allows young people aged 18-35 to make a valuable contribution to sustainable development projects in Africa and Asia.

Aron said: "I have just started my fundraising going live on social media, looking forward to hearing the stories of passing strangers. I can’t wait to work with all the story tellers out there and read through the different styles of writing.

"To donate to Writing Our World Back visit JustGiving Writing Our World Back, and email him your page or pages at [email protected] where I will sort through the pages as I receive them. "

On return to the UK, all ICS volunteers undertake an ‘Action at Home’ project, ensuring that their new skills also benefit their local communities.

Nearly 40,000 young people from the UK have participated on the programme since 2011.

Felicity Morgan, Director of ICS at VSO, said: “Aron will be joining thousands of other ICS volunteers who are doing amazing work around the world, every day.

"We’re incredibly proud that UK aid is supporting young Brits to bring about positive change in some of the world’s poorest communities.

"As an organisation working on the frontline against poverty, VSO sees how people across Britain play an important role in delivering UK aid.

"From the NHS and Army helping end the Ebola crisis, to the millions who generously donate, and the contribution we all make through taxes, together we are all making the world a fairer, safer place.”

To find out more about ICS, or to apply, visit www.volunteerics.org.