Teenager to fly to Morocco to help orphans (From Echo)

Teenager to fly to Morocco to help orphans

8:00am Tuesday 19th February 2013 in Southend

A TEENAGER will spend his half term working with orphans and street children in Morocco.

Justin Farrance, 17, contacted Original Volunteers to offer himself as a volunteer in their orphanage in Marrakesh and also to help get young people off of the city streets.

Justin, a pupil at Southend High school for Boys, has funded the £800 trip himself through savings from his part time job at Debenhams and also fundraised to cover costs.

He said: “I visited Morocco once before when my family were on a cruise, we only had a day there but it really stayed with me how poor it was, so I decided one day I’d go back.

“I’ll be working in the orphange and caring for the babies, which will be a new experience, and then spend time working to provide activities like sport and literacy lessons to give the teenagers something to do.

“It’s simple things like being in a football team gives them a sense of purpose. It gives structure in their life. It sounds basic to us but helps them.”

Justin, who hopes to study law at university, leaves today (mon) for his eight day trip. He will stay in a house with other volunteers from the UK

He said he was inspired to help others after his mum Gülin Farrance was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

Mrs Farrance, a business manager at The Appleton School in Benfleet, has finished her treatment.

Justin, of Ashurst Avenue, Southend, said: “I saw how much charity helped my mum particularly with information and support. It gave us all a renewed look of life. This is my way of helping others.

“I’m anxiously excited about it. It will be a new experience.”

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