Sarah takes the trip of a lifetime (From Warrington Guardian)

Sarah takes the trip of a lifetime

A TRIP of a lifetime has transformed a Birchwood student's view of the world.

Former St Gregory's High School pupil Sarah Mackie, aged 18, of Carrington Close, Birchwood, spent summer 2004 working in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

But to fund her trip of a lifetime, Sarah had to raise enough sponsorship, £50 of which was donated by Birchwood Town Council.

Sarah said: "Originally when I applied to go on the project, I wanted to go for the obvious reasons, to experience a new culture, to do something worthwhile with my summer, to try to make a little difference, to give something back to a community less fortunate."

On her five-week placement, Sarah and 11 other students helped renovate the Henna Mulla pre-school, including putting a new roof on, painting walls, making benches and buying classroom equipment.

"The time I spent in Sri Lanka totally changed my opinions, or forced my opinions to become stronger on certain ethical issues," continued Sarah.

"When I arrived home I was amazed how comfy and big my bed was after sleeping on a small mouldy straw one with a few resident bed bugs!

"I felt so lucky. I met so many amazingly generous people in Sri Lanka, I only wish I had given them more.

"What we gave to them was nothing in comparison to what they gave to us.

"I can't explain exactly what I got out of doing the project, it's just an amazing feeling."

Sarah, who is currently studying an art foundation diploma at Carmel College, St Helens, now hopes to spend summer 2005 working in Ghana.

She said: "I am currently raising money for my next project in Ghana, where we will be finishing work on one of the large school buildings in Kaleo ready for use.

"We will also be working on bringing piped water to the campus."