At just 17-years-old, a Linlithgow teen has made the decision to turn her life upside down and volunteer for eight months in South Africa.
Isla Storrar always knew she wanted to take a gap year, but she had no idea what she would do or where she would go during that time away from education- until she went to a presentation by a former Project Trust volunteer.
She told Edinburgh Live: "I’ve had a few friends and people I know in the year above me in school who are all out volunteering just now and I’ve been catching up with their journeys on social media. The stuff that they’re doing looks absolutely incredible and I've been looking at that and thinking that I’d quite like to do something like that as well.
"We had a talk from a returned volunteer from project trust at school and listening to her presentation and hearing her stories from her year away, everything about it was a pro. There were no cons for me and so it just seemed like the right thing to do.
"I’ve always considered a gap year but i’ve never really known what I would do during that time so seeing this opportunity come up, it was kind of a no brainer really."
With Project Trust Isla will travel 8,500 miles and set up shop in South Africa, where she'll work with children who have had a less fortunate start to life than their peers.
She continued: "It makes me feel just so proud, even though I haven’t even gone out and done anything yet! Just the knowledge that I’m going to go and do that is something that i’m really proud of. It’s a good goal to work towards as well, knowing that that is going to happen.
"Obviously I need to prepare myself a bit first because its going to be different to my life right now but it’s a great thing because i’ll be making a difference and that is what i’ve always wanted to do, make a difference and do good in the world.
"I ’ve been running the drama club for junior students after school on a Tuesday and that’s very much about leadership and taking control and spreading my ideas while helping them to implement that as well. It's a really good way to prepare because that’s probably quite similar to what I'm going to be doing when I'm out there."
While she isn't sure on the details yet, Isla could be volunteering anywhere from an orphanages to homework clubs.
She'll be leaving in January of next year and while she's eager to get over there and make a difference, it's still a nerve-wracking journey.
"I’m certainly a bit nervous but I'm getting more excited as the days go on," she said. "I think my excitement is greater than my nervousness. Of course being anxious or worried is a natural thing in this situation because it's going to be so different to what I'm used to but i think my excitement and eagerness overpowers that.
"[My parent's are] really excited for me, they’ve been super supportive so far with the fundraising efforts and they’ve put everything they’ve got into helping me organise these events but I do think that they’re quite nervous as well. I suppose that's only natural, I'm an only child and it’s got to be scary to see your only child move half way across the world for a good chunk of time!"
Before she can get out there though, Isla has to fundraise £6,850 to pay for flights, accommodation and a monthly allowance to cover her living expenses.
So far she's reached 29 per cent of her goal through fundraising, a charity raffle and a Ceilidh night at Linlithgow Rugby Club on Friday, April 4.
The Linlithgow Academy student says her confidence has already been boosted by the Project Trust volunteering programme and is encouraging everyone who can to sign up and give back.
She added: "I do think it’s never going to be a bad thing for someone to give back and I think that this opportunity in particular is just an amazing one to put yourself forward for.
"No matter who you are or where you’ve come from, if you can, I would say you should because the benefits I've already received from it are immeasurable."
You can donate to Isla's fundraiser here.
