NOBODY enjoys a challenge more than 18-year-old Mr Alex Jacobs, who is busy currently trying to raise funds for a four-month teaching trip to Ecuador.

The young man from Welclose Street, St Albans, will embark on the experience of a lifetime when he sets out for South America in January.

In order to take part in the challenge he needs to raise £2,500 and is calling for the support of his community to help him.

He is currently working to save money for the trip by advertising his services as an odd job man for people in the area and is also planning to hold a quiz evening just before Christmas to raise extra funds.

Fund-raising is only a small part of the challenge, however, and in January he will have to turn his attentions to teaching disadvantaged six to 16 year old's, in a language and culture in which he has little experience.

The project, which he has volunteered for as part of his gap year between college and university, is organised by World Challenge Expeditions.

It will mean Mr Jacobs spending four months living in a village in Ecuador, teaching English to children in one of the local schools and experiencing the culture first hand.

He also hopes to get involved with sports or set up music and drama workshops while he is there.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to doing it, as it's totally different and a once in a lifetime experience.

"It is a completely different way of life over there and it'll be great to experience that."

He first heard about the project when he was a pupil at St Albans School in Abbey Gateway, where a representative from World Challenge Expeditions paid a visit to talk to pupils about overseas opportunities.

He said: "I've also spoken to a few people who have done the challenge before, and they've all said it was an amazing and life-changing experience."

November 5, 2001 16:17

By Claire Ling