Girl Guide will travel to Malawi

Susannah Olliff, 13, was selected to represent the Girl Guides Sussex West Division after she completed a variety of challenges and activities under the theme of sustainable environment.

She will travel to Malawi for three weeks next August with The Book Bus and will help use role-playing, storytelling, and music to aid children in rural Africa in their study of books and literacy.

Susannah will be travelling with 13 other Guides, as well as senior section members and adult volunteer leaders.

While they are not helping local people, the group plan to experience a safari, kayak to an island in Lake Malawi, and hike in the mountains.

To raise the £3,000 needed to fund Susannah’s trip, the 1st Aldingbourne Guides and her family are planning a range of exciting fundraising events. These include cake sales, quiz nights, raffles and a Malawi-themed festival.

Susannah has been a Guide since she was seven. She said: “This is an amazing opportunity to share my love of reading with children in rural African communities where literacy rates are low.

“I can’t wait to use my drama and creative skills to be part of such an inspirational literary scheme, and work with such an active and engaging charity.”