Poverty mission inspires Starbucks employee (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Poverty mission inspires Starbucks employee

2:00pm Thursday 16th August 2012 in Local By Chris Gregory

A BASINGSTOKE man is spending three months volunteering in Burkino Faso to help out with a project which aims to combat poverty.

Josh Ho is volunteering in the West African country through charity International Service and will be helping out with training, advising and campaigning for a group of disabled women in the country who run their own business.

The former Queen Mary’s College student, who has been working in Starbucks in Basingstoke town centre, said he hoped to make a real difference during his time in the country, which is one of the poorest in the world.

He said: “Many of these women do not have skills in ICT, and one of the services we will be providing as a group of volunteers is how to use computers and media to communicate effectively as a business. The project is aimed at educating these women and supporting them in the long run.”

Josh, 21, recently graduated from a Media Arts course at Royal Holloway University London and will be making a film of his experience and using social media sites to make people aware of his efforts.

Josh, from Meadowridge, Cliddesden, said: “I have always wanted to do some charity work and I know that once you get into a career, it can be hard to take three months off to go volunteering.

“I am nervous as I don’t know anyone out there or any of the language but I’m also excited. I wanted to do something new and exciting.”

Josh raised £1,500 by appealing to local businesses, Starbucks customers and his family and friends to fund the trip.

To follow his journey visit joshho1.blogspot.com.