A selfless Congleton teenager wants to give up her time to help out in one of the world's poorest nations.

Amy Price (17) wants to travel to Madagascar in 2023, after she has finished her A-Levels at Congleton's Eaton Bank Academy.

Her humanitarian trip will see her live with, and provide education to the developing island nation.

Her family is putting up some of the costs that they can afford, however, a crowdfunder has also been set up to help her get there.

Amy has lived in Congleton since she was three, and has helped both people and animals from a young age, including volunteering at a local cattery. (Image - The Price Family)

"In order for me to attend this trip I need to raise £2600 approximately through fundraising," she said.

"I intend to hold coffee mornings and other fundraising activities over the next 12 months to support funding this expedition.

"I recently held a bake sale at Congleton Green Fayre, and also will host one at Gawsworth Methodist Church on January 5.

"I heard about the trip from my ranger leader, I've been doing girlguiding in Congleton since I was younger.

Lake Anosy in central Antananarivo. (Image - CC 3.0 Sascha Grabow www.saschagrabow.com bit.ly/3McMy8S Unchanged)

"I thought it sounded amazing. I've always wanted to do a conservation type trip as soon as I'd be able to.

"I applied and hopes for the best, and I got a message back that I'd been shortlisted of ten from the north west who can go."

Figures from the IMF, United Nations and World Bank suggest Madagascar ranks 140th for GDP worldwide. Of just, 14,616 million dollars. It is also ranked 31st of the 54 economies of Africa according to the IMF.

As well as the living standards for people, biodiversity there is in dire straits.

Madagascar is the world's second-largest island country, after Indonesia. (Image - Public Domain)

Deforestation, commercial explotation of wildlife and habitat degradation are big problems. Despite the fact that more than 18 million Madagascans are dependent on biodiversity for their subsistence needs, with 80% being essentially entirely dependent on natural resources. (Source)

91% of people in Madagascar earn less that £1.48 a day according to the World Health Organisation and also 95% of reptiles, 89% of plant life and 92% of mammals found in Madagascar can only be found there?

"Due to the low levels of income the local population use resources available to them to support their families putting some of the endangered species at risk," added Amy.

"I am proud and very fortunate to have been selected as a representative of Girl Guiding North West England, to be a member of a group going to Madagascar in summer 2023. 

Fort Dauphin - also known as Tolagnaro - has mountainous views. (Image - CC Public Domain Jrdesmonts bit.ly/3RE5Ogk)

"Once I'm there, I will be volunteering with a charity called SEED (sustainable environment, education and development).

"I will be flying into Antananarivo [the capital city] before taking an internal flight to Fort Dauphin. From here I will be taking a minibus into a remote area to undertake the conservation project."

Amy will be living like the locals one there. She will be staying in a very remote area in tents with no running water or conventional toilets. So the experience is very much trip for work and personal development than a holiday.

The East African country has a population of 10 million as of 2022.

As well as the JustGiving site from generous Congleton residents, Amy is raising money for her trip with bake sales. She is pictured (right) with her friend Cate (left). (Image - Caroline Ling)

"I knew I wanted to do this as I don't currently have a plan of what I want to do post A-Levels", concluded Amy.

"I haven't got an idea of what career I want to go into yet, but I've always been interested in conservation and travel, so this would be a great way to start it. And it is helping a really worthwhile cause as well.

"I've set the crowdfunder on the JustGiving to £1250, and I am going to fundraise towards the rest through bake sales.

"I would be very grateful for any support the people of Congleton could give towards this trip.

Amy went to primary school in Mossley, and now attends Jackson Road's Eaton Bank Academy. The young volunteer hopes to spend two weeks helping people and animals in Madagascar. (Image - The Price Family)

"It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to be able to offer my help to protect endangered wildlife and species in an impoverished country."

Congleton: You can donate to what could be a trip of a lifetime and support Amy by clicking here.

See Also: Woman cycling through Congleton area to raise thousands for homeless and CALM

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