Seven young Bermudians are giving up their summer to help those less fortunate.

The kind-hearted volunteers have travelled to Tanzania, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Borneo to assist with sustainability projects in local communities.

These include constructing a 350ft suspension bridge over a canyon and building an early development centre for children.

Yin’Nikkei Bartley, 18, a CedarBridge Academy student, and Kalaeb Tannock, 17, who just graduated from the Berkeley Institute, are in Tanzania, while ZaKiya Lightbourne, 17, a CedarBridge student, and Jumoke Stovell, 18, who is at Bermuda College, are in Costa Rica.

In Borneo are Bermuda College student Raekwon Hare, 18; Chloe Baron, 23, who graduated from Mount Saint Agnes; and Neville Vanderpool, 24, who has two university degrees and is looking for employment.

The youngsters have gone overseas with the Raleigh Bermuda charity, a funded personal development programme for Bermudians between the ages of 17 and 25.

Executive director Tina Nash said: “We work with young people at risk of not reaching their full potential who are looking for something different and to engage with the community.

“They’ve amazing outdoor skills, that’s a vital part of the programme. It also teaches interpersonal and social skills.

“They’ll engage in meaningful sustainable projects, live and work in a community and do a two-and-a-half week trek. It’s a really intense experience but you don’t have to be super fit — you need to be able to understand and participate in your own personal change and be an active member of the community.”

Raleigh’s year-long programme aims to help youngsters “develop skills to make the most of your life”.

The charity’s vision is for youth to work together regardless of social background and culture. The programme is designed to challenge them to exceed their aspirations, believe in themselves and be inspired to make the world a better place.

The youngsters train for months ahead of their 10-week summer expedition overseas, developing teamwork and survival skills as well as self-confidence.

Pre-trip survival camps at Darrell’s Island, hikes and camp-outs across the Island, and swims from Coney Island to Ferry Reach help to prepare them for the great outdoors.

Once abroad, they work with youth volunteers from across the globe to improve the lives of those in need.

Raleigh Bermuda pays the costs of the entire programme for the participants — about $11,500 per person — although this year they each raised at least $500 on their own.

In other countries, volunteers have to cover the costs to take part in Raleigh International programmes.

Ms Nash said: “It’s not just at-risk kids or kids from poorer homes or Government schools. The term ‘at risk’ doesn’t describe being at risk of not reaching your full potential.

“You could be at risk of drugs and gangs or cannot get a job despite having a degree.

“Some of our young people live in some challenging situations and our economy doesn’t make it easier. This gives a feeling of importance, a sense of worth.

“They choose themselves where they want to go on the expedition — we want them to be agents of change for themselves.

“Some of our young people have never travelled by themselves before.”

ZaKiya and Jumoke left for Costa Rica and Nicaragua last week. Raleigh projects in the area include building new classrooms at a village school high in the mountains, as well as water and sanitation projects.

Chloe, Raekwon and Neville arrived in Borneo late last month, and will be involved in projects such as the construction of a 350ft suspension bridge in Imbak Canyon, as well as restoring and creating new trails to ease access for protection and research.

Finally, Yin’Nikkei and Kalaeb have been in Tanzania for two weeks. One of the goals is to build an early development centre for children aged three to six of the Sukema tribe of Salawe village, and Raleigh Tanzania has been working with Save The Children on the project.

Closer to home, Raleigh Bermuda’s youngsters are also making a difference to the Island by volunteering in the community, such as at Keep Bermuda Beautiful clean-ups.

Former participants of the programme, Raleigh’s alumni, have also started a garden in Paget.

Ms Nash said: “We want to be able to grow veg and donate it to seniors.

“Gardening expert Frances Eddy helped us out and the alumni are developing gardening skills.”

Ms Nash hopes that residents will show their support for their youngsters’ efforts when they return — and support Raleigh Bermuda’s future work.

“We’ll have a graduation celebrating their experience and we want the community to be there — we want our young people to feel supported by their community.

“We have some very generous corporate and individual donors who believe in what we do and we have a fundraiser on September 13 — the second annual Monte Carlo Casino Classic.”

To read blogs from Raleigh’s volunteers abroad visit raleighinternational.org/ri-blogs. For more on Raleigh Bermuda visit www.raleigh.bm