A young homeless man who has never travelled further than London is preparing for the adventure of a lifetime as a Raleigh volunteer in India.
Daniel Koutsou, 19, who lives at the Mary Seacole Hostel in Luton, signed up to the ten-week trip after taking part in a Prince’s Trust project.
He needs to raise £800 in sponsorship before May 24 in order to go on the programme.
Daniel said: “My mum kicked me out when I was 16 so I’ve been living at Mary Seacole for a couple of years. This is an opportunity to turn my life around. I want to get out of the hostel and find myself a career. I think this will give me a sense of what I want to do as I’m interested in being a travel rep. I want to to work with a community in a foreign country and give something back.”
The Raleigh programme in India focuses on health and sanitation and rural livelihoods. Daniel will be working with English and Indian volunteers to build safe sanitation units, provide health awareness and help the community’s needs.
He said: “I just wanted the chance to travel the world, see what other cultures are like, help people and get work experience.”
Daniel has worked in warehouses and as a gym instructor previously.
He hopes the Raleigh International experience will help him find a permanent job when he returns.
To sponsor Daniel, email Daniel_Koutsou@hotmail.co.uk, call him on 07923 423282 or the Mary Seacole Hostel on 01582 415920.