North Walsham zoology student sponsored for volunteering in Borneo
Sophie (far right) with colleagues Katie, Lauren, Weng dee, Malcolm, Norhayatie, Lina, Maddy and ViVi (front.) Photo: Poh Yoke - Credit: Archant
A zoology student from North Walsham embarked on the 'phenomenal' trip of a lifetime thanks to a charity trust who sponsored her travels through Borneo.
Sophie Babbs, 21, who studies at the University of Cumbria, spent ten weeks volunteering on the southeast Asian island of Malaysian Borneo.
She also trekked through the island's rainforest on a 17-day hike and helped with projects including bridge building, dam construction and installing taps and toilets in village homes.
Miss Babbs, who now lives in Carlisle, described the experience as 'phenomenal'.
She said: 'I will never forget the joy on the people faces when they got safe running water to their village for the first time in 50 years.
'It was an extraordinary feeling to know we had helped them.'
Miss Babbs received support from the Eleanor Peel Trust for the trip with Raleigh International.
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The trust funds travel fellowships for up to one year.
