Teenager to travel to Swaziland to support community work

Thirteen year-old Liam Richards will make the trip in July 2021 along with several other students from St Edmund's Catholic School in Portsmouth. The expedition is being organised by the World Challenge, an organisation that seeks to educate young people through international travel.

The pupils will fly out to Johannesburg before driving to Swaziland and checking into their campsite. Once settled the group will begin work in a local school, helping with construction projects, teaching English and cooking meals for the students.

Liam said he was drawn to the idea after listening to a presentation given by World Challenge in a St Edmund’s assembly.

‘I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and prove to myself that I can complete a challenge,’ he revealed.

The youngster also said that he was looking forward to helping out those less fortunate than himself.

The expedition will cost £3000 and students are expected to pay for it themselves. In order to raise the money, Liam and his mother, Catherine, have sold Christmas cakes in branches of Halifax and are planning a quiz night in March. Other ideas in the pipeline include selling Easter hampers and organising a skittles event.

Catherine, from North End, hopes that the experience will help her ‘shy son’ develop his communication skills.

‘Obviously with Liam’s generation it’s all about technology. But I want him to learn that there is more to life. Hopefully it will build his confidence and give him a chance to work as a team,’ she said.