A TALYBONT man has returned home after completing a volunteer scheme in Nepal to help bring safe water to remote areas of the country.

Sean McAndrew, 26, volunteered to work in the Himalayas last month as part of a WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) project with Raleigh International.

The placement involved living in a rural community and developing the local water infrastructure whilst raising awareness of the clean and safe use of water.

Sean, originally from Sheffield and a graduate of Aberystwyth University in film and television studies, was out in Nepal for around 10 weeks before returning home to Talybont, where he lives with his mum, last month.

“During the project we lived in a developing rural community called Aanp Chaur,” Sean said.

“Whilst there we were tasked with improving the existing water infrastructure; building a new reservoir tank, building a dam at a new water source and directing that water to the village and laying pipes to all the villagers’ houses.

“We were also tasked with raising awareness on the safe use of water and general hygiene by running focus groups to determine what issues the community face, holding sessions at local schools, running community events in the village, running dedicated sessions on menstrual health awareness day both in schools and in community, running sessions on climate change and waste management, and running sessions on leadership and creating positive change.

“The purpose of this project was to help improve the lives of a community with targeted support whilst also inspiring us young people to promote sustainable development and to create change.”

While at Aberystwyth University, Sean first applied for the International Citizenship Service which sends young people on overseas volunteering projects, but had to defer to focus on coursework.

After completing his degree he reapplied and while he was “very trepidatious to go on such an adventure”, he was also “very excited”.

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