It was January this year and I was sitting at my desk sleeping, when an offer in the bulletin grabbed my notice: "Come and join the World Challenge, a trip to a third world country!.

As I pursued it further I learnt that World Challenge was a trip was to Cambodia and would involve a seven to five day trek plus approximately a week helping out in a community. At the end of all our self-managed and directed hard work, the days we have left are for precious R&R. The expedition will last for a month and we will have a year and a half to raise six thousand dollars each. 

At first the price was daunting because we have to find the money, not our parents. Everyone has to raise the money themselves, that's part of the program, whether it is through jobs, garage sales, chocolate drives, sponsorships or any other creative idea. 

It is now nearly the end of this year and I have been going well especially with my fund raising chocolate. (A tip for anyone needing money for a fundraiser, sell chocolates to a high school with a healthy, chocolate-deprived canteen. The chocolates you have will be gone before you have time to think, trust me.) 

Everything has been and will be a fun experience, even the fund raising. I have gotten some great skills in fund raising and still have a lot to learn. Thank you to all who are supporting me."

Later Bethany sent this update before heading off on her grand adventure to Cambodia for a month:

I have managed to meet all criteria and raise all funds necessary. The few items I'm short and spending money required good old Dad to come to the rescue but it is all under $500.00. I raised in excess of $7500.00 of which $3000.00 was my own personal savings

The World Challenge .. will require me to not only work on a project in a village but I have to trek for 5 days (20k per day) through some dense forest and jungle. This is an incredible opportunity for us to learn and grow by helping in a village of a third world country and also to help us become resourceful and independent..

Well done, Bethany! Have a wonderful enriching time. (After that she is off to Japan for a year as a Rotarian exchange student. Wow.)

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