Nathaniel Telemaque is also hoping to raise £800 to Raleigh International

A 21-year-old from Neasden is on a mission to raise £800 for a charity before he heads off to Central America where he will make a difference to the lives of a local community.

Nathaniel Telemaque, who lives on St Raphael’s estate, will be heading to Nicaragua for three months at the end of September with youth and sustainable development charity Raleigh International.

He is raising the sum to go towards sending more young people to developing countries to participate in similar sustainable charity projects.

Nathaniel will be placed in a rural community and could be working on tasks such as building a pre-school or enabling a safe water supply.

The former pupil of Elsley Primary School in Wembley has a passion for the culture, politics and history of South and Central America.

He said: “I am doing this due to the fact that I believe that in the society we live in there is a great emphasis on furthering ourselves, whether it be financially, educationally or emotionally.

“I do not believe there is anything wrong with this.

“However, my motivations behind my actions exist because I also believe there is a significantly less amount of emphasis based on helping to further others both within our communities and internationally, thus I am attempting to contribute to others in the same capacity I do to further my self.”

He believes that living in the struggles of a developing country will profoundly affect him and he is already planning to share his experiences with other young people on his return to Brent and inspire them to take on similar projects.

The part-time worker for the charity Victim Support and part- time employee at Ikea in Wembley, has raised more than £300 so far.

He has shaved his head to raise some cash and is hoping to arrange bag packing sessions at supermarkets to raise donations.

Nathaniel said he is planning to give his fellow worshippers at Willesden New Testament Church a presentation on Nicaragua and hold a cake stall at the church and has also applied for a grant from The Jack Petchey Foundation which helps fund projects that benefit young people.

In preparation for the trip, Nathaniel is beginning Spanish lessons and reading up on Nicaragua’s history and current affairs.

Check out Raleigh International’s work in Nicaragua at www.raleighinternational.org/where-we-work/costa-rica-nicaragua.

Follow Nathaniel’s blog at www.nicaraguaawarness.wordpress.com

To make a donation visit towards Nathaniel’s trip, please visit: www.justgiving.com/NicaraguaAwarness