Donegal teenager on mission to help young people in South Africa
‘I want to do it because I know that having the opportunity to do the things I’m organising is unusual for people there - they won’t be able to afford it otherwise’
A student from Buncrana is heading to South Africa this month to help young people.
Jack Le Masurier will be working at a centre that provides outdoor education and activities for young people aged six to 18 years who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity.
The former Scoil Mhuire student plans to do the Mourne Mountain marathon this weekend to help raise the £7,450 needed to cover return flights, medical insurance, accommodation and living costs at his placement.
The 19-year-old has been working as a beach lifeguard over the summer to cover some of the costs, but will need help to raise it all.
The organisation Jack will be volunteering is called Project Trust. Their vision is of “generations of empowered young people who are responsible and active global citizens.”
Project Trust is an educational charity with almost 60 years of experience in international volunteering, organising 8-12 month placements for young people aged 18-25. They work with international partners to provide meaningful placements where volunteers make a measurable impact and do not take work away from qualified local people.
Jack has secured a place at Queen’s University Belfast to study mechanical engineering in September 2027, but first wants to spend a year working in South Africa.
“I want to do it because I know that having the opportunity to do the things I’m organising is unusual for people there - they won’t be able to afford it otherwise. I know it will be great for their personal development.
“I have quite a lot of experience teaching already in the outdoors, as I’ve been working in the summer as a sailing instructor since I was fourteen. I know how to teach people, and have the necessary experience and skills to organise outdoor activities. That’s why Project Trust chose me for this specific project,” said Jack.
Jack is getting close to his fundraising target by spending the summer working as a beach lifeguard locally, but still has some way to go.
Next weekend, he plans to do the Mourne Mountain Marathon to try to raise the final amount that he needs through sponsorship. He is appealing to local people and businesses to support him for this worthy cause. If you would like to sponsor him, you can go to this link: