Pembrokeshire College A-level students, Bethany Blackford-Jones and Kristen Bowen will travel to Africa this autumn with the youth-led development agency, Restless Development.

Working on a HIV awareness project, Bethany will travel to Zimbabwe while Kristen will work on a sexual health project in Uganda.

Hoping to study Clinical Psychology at Exeter University after college next September, Bethany, from Tenby, is looking forward to the once-in-a-lifetime trip which will see her learn new skills that will have a real, lasting impact in developing communities.

“I’m so excited to travel to Zimbabwe and stay with a family in a rural community,” she said. “I can’t wait to experience the culture and I know I’m very lucky to have this opportunity!”

Bethany will work on a self-directed mental health project while she is away and follow-up her work in her home community as part of the final six-month phase of the programme.

Kristen, from St. Florence, hopes to continue to work in the sexual health and livelihood field when she returns from her trip, but is keeping an open mind.

“I know that my trip will influence my future plans, so I want to keep my options open, but intend on working in development to bring positive change to communities,” she stated.

Unlike many gap year programmes, the Restless Development agency provides learning opportunities for volunteers to acquire new skills, encourage personal development and experience new cultures whilst working in developing countries.

Although the programme is government funded, the girls are required to raise £800 each to go towards the running costs of the trip, so keep your eyes peeled for Bethany’s fancy dress pub crawl and Kristen’s weekly fit club held on Thursdays in St. Florence. Good luck on your travels girls, we can’t wait to hear all about it when you return!