Katy’s on a mission to help down-under

Mar 13 2008

A 19-YEAR-OLD Strathaven girl last month set off on a six-month mission to Western Australia.

Katy Lacey, who attended Strathaven Academy, is part of Scripture Union’s Action Abroad placement scheme.

The scheme draws volunteers from Scotland and the rest of the UK, who go on to serve in a local, and often underprivileged community.

Katy, who left on February 3, will be spending the placement in Perth, learning about living in a different culture, and either helping in a children’s activity camp or taking classes in schools and working with a performing arts group.

Katy is excited about the placement, although geography is not her strongpoint.

She said: “While in Thailand on holiday, a group of Thai kids came up to practice their English.

“They asked me many questions and all was fine until one of them asked me the capital of Scotland to which I replied ‘Glasgow’.

“It wasn’t until they walked away that I realised that it was Edinburgh”.

Scripture Union’s missions programme manager Clare Luxton, said: “The experience will have a positive impact on Katy as well as those she is working with.

“It is amazing to see how much the experience of living and working in another country changes the volunteers.

“They also learn a lot about themselves and return more capable”.

HAP000 0603 Mission