Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As many people will know, the last 6 months have been some of the hardest months of my life, but with the help and support of the Royal Free Hospital and my family and friends I have been able to make a great recovery. In light of this I really want to start the next chapter of my life by doing something to give back and to help others. Since I am no medical whiz I sadly can't help others with neurological disorders, but what I am good at is Social Anthropology and talking too much! 

Therefore I am taking on a huge challenge and moving to Mae Hong Son Province in North-West Thailand in January, to teach English to Karen children for 3 months. 

Karen Hilltribes Trust was set up in memory of Richard Worsley, a courageous 19 year old who spent 6 months living with the Karen, helping to build clean water systems and teaching English. Richard's untimely death at the age of just 24 encouraged his mother to set up the charity, in order to see Richard's dream of a self-sustaining Karen people become a reality. 

Since the charity's birth in 1999 more than 500 volunteers have followed in Richard's footsteps, and I am both excited and honoured that I will be following and continuing his legacy.

Why should you support this charity?

Speaking English is an everyday thing for us, something that we take for granted. However for the Karen speaking English could be the difference between a life of poverty and a life of prosperity. 

Learning English is critical for Karen children as it can be their only opportunity to obtain a scholarship to further education and to enhance employment opportunities. The ability to speak English is valuable, as it also increases the social status of these people. 

Karen Hilltribes Trust has already been able to do so much, providing school buses and free meals to over 800 of the poorest children in the region as well as securing a number of scholarships for students. Please help me continue this work and keep providing greater opportunities for education for all Karen children. 

As well as this fundraising page, with the help of Susan I will be throwing some fundraising events over the next few months so keep your eyes peeled and please support my volunteering with this life changing charity in any way  you can! 

Thank you,

Maddy