Your basket is currently empty!
-
Volunteering in Honduras: Dylan’s Experience with Project Trust
We recently heard from Dylan Stevens, one of our volunteers currently teaching in Honduras. Dylan is eight weeks into his year abroad and kindly shared some reflections (and wonderful photos!) about his experience so far.
Finding My Feet in Honduras
Volunteering in Honduras has been absolutely amazing. I’m currently eight weeks into my 12-month placement (which I’m very glad I chose), and it’s already been the best eight weeks of my life.
I’ve been teaching incredibly energetic – but of course, lovely – children, travelling around Honduras and beyond with other Volunteers, and embracing a completely different culture. Every day feels new and rewarding, and I’ve already learned so much about myself and the world around me.
Why I Chose to Teach Abroad for a Year
The idea to volunteer internationally came to me quite unexpectedly. At the start of Year 13, I attended a careers day at Sixth Form, not really expecting to hear anything that would change my plans -I was already set on going to university. Then I heard about the fantastic work that Project Trust does across the world, and I had a sudden thought: “Why not?” Despite normally being quite hesitant with big decisions, I knew that helping to provide education within a community abroad would be an incredibly rewarding experience – not just for my own personal growth, but for the next generation too.
Support from Project Trust
Project Trust has been there every step of the way – from helping me prepare for a year away (including guidance with fundraising!) to making sure all the legal and logistical parts of travelling abroad go smoothly behind the scenes. Their years of experience and genuine support have made a huge difference. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone thinking of taking this path.
Fundraising for My Year Abroad
It would be a lie to say that fundraising was easy – but with the amazing support of those around me, I made it. Friends, family, co-workers, and both local and national businesses all chipped in to help make the pennies count. The Fundraising Support team at Project Trust also shared great tips and advice that helped me stay motivated and organised.
Looking Back (and Ahead)
If I haven’t made it clear enough already, I’m absolutely over the moon with my decision to volunteer with Project Trust. I didn’t know anyone else doing something like this, and I was definitely a bit nervous at first, but it’s turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.
I’d recommend a gap year like this to anyone- whether it’s before university, while figuring out your future career, or simply to see more of the world and make a difference while you do.
Find out more about volunteering in Honduras here.
-
Statement from the Project Trust Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees at Project Trust has recently announced a change to its operating model and its intention to sell its properties on Coll.
The COVID pandemic necessitated a significant change to Project’s operating model with Volunteer selection courses being held online. While this was initially anticipated to be a temporary measure it is now clear that this model far better matches the expectations of young people in the 2020s and has been very successful.
As a result, the residential facilities at Ballyhaugh (the Hebridean Centre) are used for only three weeks of the year. Running costs for the Hebridean Centre are significant, and as a charity, the Board cannot justify retaining property that is costly to maintain and greatly underused.
Meanwhile, although Volunteer numbers have been slowly rising since COVID, the current situation is not sustainable and there is a need to release funds and replenish reserves in order to secure Project Trust for the long term. As a result, after long and very careful consideration, the Board has concluded that we must sell our remaining properties on Coll. They will be put on the market in the spring of 2025.
The Board’s aim is to safeguard employment and ensure the charity is ready to face any future challenges. Over 75% of staff already work remotely and the intention is to move to a 100% virtual staffing model, including those living and working on Coll.
Project Trust is proud of its Scottish heritage and is committed to retaining Volunteer activities in Scotland and, as was the case in Project Trust’s early days, the charity will rent a residential centre in Scotland for training and debriefing.
Since the pandemic, Project Trust’s presence and financial impact on the Isle of Coll have been much reduced. The sale of underused property has the potential to have a positive impact on the people and economy of the Isle of Coll and we hope that this is the case.
The Isle of Coll will always be central to Project Trust’s history. Generations of Volunteers and staff are deeply grateful to the Coll community for being an integral part of their Project Trust experience.
Steve Price-Thomas OBE
Chair
Project Trust
