Mansfield student hopes to help transform the lives of a remote tribe

Former Samworth Academy pupil Keenan Wells who recently won a scholarship to attend the prestigious Gordonstoun school has volunteered to take part in a project to provide a portable water supply for the impoverished Karen villagers of Ban Hak Kia.

Keenan, 17 of Heathland Close, said: “Gordonstoun has been sending volunteers to the village since 1986 and I was asked if I wanted to be a part of the team.

“I decided to give it a go.”

He ephasised the project is not a holiday with a little bit of good service cosmetically tacked on.

“This is a highly challenging for the group in that they live with as villagers for the construction phase of the project and the work they undertake is of immense value to the village in which they are based. 

“The work is strenuous and living conditions in the forest are demanding, particularly as it is undertaken in the rainy season. 

“One of the most rewarding features of the project is to re-visit villages where previous groups had been and to see that their efforts continue to be of daily benefit to the people living there. 

Twenty students plus two accompanying members of staff will leave for Thailand at the end of June 2015 for the three week trip.

Keenan hopes to raise £2,200 by April 2015.

Donations can be made on his virgin money giving webpage, http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ThailandWater2015 

You can read about the 2013 and 2014 projects at the following links.

2013 Project – http://www.gordonstoun.org.uk/news/1818/342/Thailand-Water-Project” \t “_blank” http://www.gordonstoun.org.uk/news/1818/342/Thailand-Water-Project2014 Project – http://www.gordonstoun.org.uk/news/1062/357/Thailand-Water-Project” \t “_blank” http://www.gordonstoun.org.uk/news/1062/357/Thailand-Water-Project