A STUDENT from Randwick will spend three months in a town in Nepal providing health education to women.

Sophia Rutter, 18, is travelling to the Himalayan country in March with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) – an international development organisation that uses volunteers to fight poverty and reduce inequality.

Commenting on her upcoming trip Sophia said: “I am really looking forward to meeting the other volunteers I am going with and helping people out there.

“I think they really need the healthcare that we could provide at the moment.

“I am nervous about some of the travelling but I am sure it will be fine.”

Sophia will be going to Nepal with VSO as part of its youth volunteering scheme.

She has undergone some initial assessments and will attend another weekend of training in mid-February which includes learning about the UN's sustainable development goals and meeting the team she will be working with.

“I am very happy having been given Nepal as I have friends who have been out before," Sophia said.

“I will be working with women in the community to educate them about the complications of pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.”

Sophia will be based in a town called Baglung – a healthcare centre for the Kali Gandaki valley which is 275 km west of the capital Kathmandu from Saturday, March 19 – Friday, June 10.

She will be placed there with 12 other volunteers from the UK and another 12 from Nepal.

On her return Sophia hopes to begin an access course in psychology, sociology and biology in September but wanted some life experience before she started on her career path.

Eventually she plans to go on to university to study either international relations or international development.

In the run up to her voluntary service Sophia has launched a fundraising campaign to raise £1,500.

She collected £900 at a quiz and curry evening at The Hub in Minchinhampton and her next event will be a treasure hunt for students at Randwick CofE Primary School.

Find her JustGiving page at http://bit.ly/1Sovewn