Indian tour for teenager (From Stroud News and Journal)

Indian tour for teenager

A STROUD teenager is about to embark on a trip of a lifetime when she jets off to India to work with street children this summer.

Amber Prosser, 17, of the Bourne Estate, Brimscombe said she has only ever been abroad once before and has never been in a plane.

But in July this year she is travelling to Bangalore in India for three and a half weeks as part of a project run by the Gloucester Diocese.

Amber heard about the trip through her youth group at Stroud's Holy Trinity Church and had to fight off competition from other teenagers across Gloucestershire for her chance to take part in the trip by giving a presentation on why she should be picked.

Fellow Stroud resident Ed Walden is also going to India, travelling as the group leader.

Amber, who currently works as a nursery nurse in Cirencester said that the trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity for her: "My friend went last year and told me how good an experience it was.

"When she got back you could notice a real change in her and that she had got a lot out of the experience.

"It was an opportunity of a lifetime and so I just thought 'wow, I should go for it'."

Amber said that she thinks the hardest thing about the trip will be missing her friends and family at home as the group will only be given half an hour once a week to check their emails.

She added: "I am a bit nervous about the trip, I've gone through stages though, at first I was really excited but as it gets nearer I'm getting more and more worried."

Each of the youths going on the trip have to raise a total of £480 but Amber said if they manage to raise a bit more they can take presents with them for the children that they will be working with.

So far Amber's church youth group, Praise God Barebones, (PGB) has helped by putting on a talent contest to raise money and Amber's youth group leader is sponsoring her £15 a month leading up to the trip.

But she still has a lot of fundraising to do between now and July.

Amber's mum, Kim Prosser said she was really proud of her daughter.

"I'm really pleased that she has got this chance to go as it's just a really good experience for her," she said.

"Probably nearer the time I'll be really worried about her though."

Anyone who thinks they can help Amber raise the money needed for the trip should contact her on 01453 886890.