Ilford youth worker to help youngsters in Bangladesh

A youth worker will be travelling across the world to help vulnerable young people next month.

Elizabeth Olaniyi, 21, has been nominated for the Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Young Citizen Awards in recognition of her hard work as a volunteer.

IIfordElizabeth, who lives in Ilford, is heading to Bangladesh for 10 weeks with Y Care International as part of the International Citizen Service (ICS), a non-profit organisation with works to help young people in more than 20 countries around the world.

She said: “I will be working on development projects that will help improve the lives of vulnerable young people, on a voluntary basis.

“Y Care work with YMCAs, and other youth organisations around the world, to help disadvantaged and vulnerable young people enrich their lives and to build a more just world, free from poverty.

“My motivation to pursue this international experience stems from my desire to immerse myself in a new culture, enhance my skill-set and more importantly, my passion to tackle global inequality and poverty.

“I have always dreamt of how I would make a difference to the lives of others.”

After graduating from De Montford University in the summer, Elizabeth has been working as a community facilitator for the National Citizen Service, volunteering with young people aged 15 to 17.

She previously visited The Gambia and did a 10k walk to raise money for a development hub in Manduar Village.

She said: “The Gambia inspired myself and others to set up a social enterprise and also sparked my passion to tackle global inequality and poverty through international development.”

Before travelling to Bangladesh next month, Elizabeth needs to raise £800 for Y Care International, the international relief and development agency of the YMCA movement in the UK and Ireland.


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