Eighteen-year-old Shannon Williams would occasionally lie or disrespect her parents, until a life-changing Raleigh Bermuda programme turned her world around.Miss Williams spent ten weeks on an intense expedition with ten other young Bermudians this summer. Some took part in “meaningful and difficult” community and environmental projects in India and Central America, Miss Williams joined three others on a trip to Malaysia.She said she came back with a renewed sense of purpose, a new attitude and confidence in herself.She had the chance to meet new people, step out of her comfort zone, experience a new culture and successfully complete a seven-and-a-half-hour trek.“Sometimes I think I have changed. For instance my attitude has changed from being a person who always lies and just hurts my parents and their feelings, so I am glad I went,” she said.“It taught me I don’t want to be that person living on the street. I want to make something of my life. I want to be a person who gets respect and gives it too.”According to Raleigh Bermuda’s executive director Kristin White, each and every young person gained something from the self-development programme.“When they returned in September, it was incredible to see their boost in confidence, self-awareness and determination.“Many spoke of how they now feel that anything is possible in their lives, and were eager to go back to school, find a job, improve relationships with family, and refrain from engaging in any activities that might keep them from their goal.”She said she was “super proud” of the young people and pleased they took the opportunity to push themselves to reveal their full potential.Ms White said the charity was now recruiting for a new set of participants for the Summer 2012 expedition.She said: “Anyone can sign up for Raleigh, as long as they are able to identify an area of their life that they would like to work on or improve. It needs to be meaningful to them so that they are able to commit to the programme.“Applicants must be Bermudian and 17 years old by June 2012. Raleigh accepts participants up to age 25.”Raleigh Bermuda will be hosting an information session at their office on Midsea Lane in Pembroke on Friday at 6pm. For more details visit www.raleigh.bm.