Making a difference in a developing country is how one Eurobodalla student will celebrate finishing school at the end of the year.
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Carroll College Broulee student Rebekah D’Amico will spend 11 days volunteering in Vietnam at the end of November.
While her friends were organising their trips to the Gold Coast, Rebekah had other ideas.
“Everyone at school was getting into schoolies and booking houses, but I thought about it and realised I wasn’t really into that,” she said.
“I would rather do something positive - not that there is anything wrong with the normal Schoolies - instead.”
An online search revealed a chance to volunteer with the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation in Vietnam.
“It is a once in a lifetime experience and I thought it would be a better way,” Rebekah said.
The foundation screens for and treats cervical cancer.
Screening can cost as little as $5 in Vietnam.
“It is is one of the biggest killers of womEn over there,” Rebekah said.
During her 11 days in Vietnam, Rebekah will stay with a family for two nights, explore the tourist attractions and work with the foundation.
“I could be building, painting, do admin work or organising things,” she said.
“We help with whatever they need at the time.
“There is a group of about 20 going from Australia who are all school leavers.
“I have always wanted to travel and would rather get out of my comfort zone.
“I am putting myself in the deep end, but that is the challenge and I’m up for it.
“Knowing I will make a difference is exciting.
“I know it will be confronting and nothing like I have ever seen before, but it is good to be aware not everyone is gifted with a life like we have here.”
Rebekah must pay her own way, accommodation and food, as well as raise at least $500 for the foundation.
“I am almost at that $500 mark, but when you include vaccinations, which are so expensive, and insurance, it’s going to cost about $5500.
“I am hoping to raise as much as I possibly can for the charity.
“Carroll College is fundraising for the charity and I want to get the local community involved.”
Rebekah hoped other schooL leavers would do the same.
“I want people my age and younger to realise there are other things out there to do besides the usual schoolies,” she said.
“I am the only one at my school doing this.”
Her friends supported her.
“My friends think it is a good cause, but probably wouldn’t do it themselves,” Rebekah said.
“They are helping me out though.”
She has been researching safety and vaccinations online.
“I have been overseas before, but never to a Third World country and not without my parents,” she said.
“I am excited.”
Visit www.accf-vietnamschoolies.everydayhero.com/au/rebekah to help.