New Stars Shine

When I joined ICS last June I never thought how far it could take me. I assumed 3 months in Africa would be a chance to volunteer and really help those in need. However it was so much more than that, which you know from my previous blogs. However- What have I learnt? A little girl in Zambia when she found a pair of shoes! I have learnt to accept myself, I may not be skinny, I may not have the perfect complexion, I haven't even got good fashion sense or home style! Yet I am happy with my morals. I know now that my life, a life, is incredibly valuable. And you only have 1, so why not make the most out of it? I'm Okay! An underfed dog roaming the pits of Keembe, Zambia  Compared to the lives of people, who struggle to get water, or have to sacrifice an education to help their families. People that don't have a choice in their life, whether that's with their sexuality, or who they marry! My decisions I can make myself, and whilst I was in Zambia I realised j...

Few bits I took back from Zambia! As you know by now, I spent three months in Zambia. However I wish that someone gave me a packing list before I went, 50% of what I took I didn't need! So to save you the expenses I thought I would give you an insight on what is useful and what isn't! Useful pills: Ibuprofen, paracetamol, dioralyte, purification tablets and Tums!  First things first, stock up on pills! 1. Paracetamol And Ibuprofen (2 packs of each) 2. Tums! For those awkward foreign food moments! 3. Dioralyte! Needed for hot long days in the sun, buy the powder and the drink for both situations! 4. Purification Tablets-perfect for drinks but I suggest bringing some concentrated squash considering the tablets taste like dirt! 5. Don't forget your malaria tablets! Make sure you check, double check and triple check you have all of them! 6. Not necessary but it definitely helped me out! A pill box is handy to keep on track with the malari...

The most beautiful smile of them all from a five year old with nothing. I am only 19 bear in mind. NINETEEN! Yet anyone who has been in a rural tribal village for 12 weeks can agree that their lives change in enormous ways. Before August I spent two years at college studying English and Performing Arts, a LOT of fun but I never felt it was for me. I also spent three years in my free time volunteering for the National Citizen Service, I learnt so many skills and met so many fantastic people I knew that helping people was my choice. So I took the challenge and spent three months in Africa. A stunning sunset It was incredible. Imagine waking up every morning to the sound of children singing their ABC, looking out at the fantastic sunrise and knowing that every single waking moment you are trying your very hardest to do good for the community. Every morning it was a quick trip to the water pump just so you can bath, drink and eat. It sounds difficult and displeasing, it was when...

Everyone should begin a blog with a beauts British sunset. I am one of those people who decide they need to start a blog, then don't for months. However it has finally come to a stage in my life, as everyone faces, where you have finished school, don't know where to go next, have a part time job and totally confused at where your life is heading. There is nothing better than sitting on your bed in the early hours and deciding this will be a safe haven to write; about home, life, travel, hopes, ambitions and everything in between. The whole group at NCS in July 2012. I love my life, and dislike it. 3 years ago my life began to change, I went from being a lonely bullied kid with no real dreams, to a woman with ambition! And since that point my life has been a total whirlwind. It all started in the summer of 2012, when I decided to sign up for NCS, the National Citizen Service, for those who don't know, this was a 3 week programme designed by the government t...