Hi my name is Tara McCarter I'm 17 years old and live in Cambridgeshire. I am currently studying Geography, Maths and Biology A-levels at St Ivo School. In August 2012 I will be off to Guyana (a country in South America not to be confused with Ghana in Africa) to teach Maths and Science to children between the ages of 11-16.
Guyana is north of Brazil and is very much a poor country with the average annual wage of $4,400US compared to the UK $36,600 US. It is the only English-speaking country in South America, Guyana became independent from the UK in 1966. Guyana is the size of the UK, yet it only has about 1.5% of the population of the UK.
To have this opportunity I first had to go on a selection course on the Isle of Coll. The selection course was 4 days and while on the Island I stayed with one of the local families. I really liked where I stayed and got on well with the people. While in Coll we had to do a number of tasks: The first being that we all had to do a teaching lesson to our group. I chose to do mine on maths (I know very boring!). Also through the week we were given the task of researching and creating a presentation about the Isle of Coll. Other activities included lazy bed digging for potatoes and a beach clean.
Before I go next year I first need to raise £5,100 and am currently in the middle of fundraising which includes organising a Ceildh dance for the end of November and cake stalls at school.
