Oliver, 23, is studying at Leeds College of Art & Design and runs a charity which raises money to put children in Nepal through school. Now, he is going back to the country to make a documentary film about the lives of the children he helps. Whilst living in Nepal during a gap year from studying, Oliver realised how little it would cost to put a child through school, he says: “Many children don’t attend the government schools that do exist because they can’t afford to. For £7 a year we can equip a child with pens, books and a uniform and help fund the volunteers who teach in these schools.” Volunteers also make regular trips to Nepal to source the low-cost uniforms and equipment needed. In previous trips Oliver helped build wells for some of the villages. Oliver recalls a particular example of how little money it takes to improve peoples’ lives: “There was one girl of about 9 years old who had cancer. The charity donated the £9 it took for her to have her tumour removed. She’s now fine and is going to school with her friends”. Having saved £1200 to pay for his trip, Oliver believes he can be more effective by getting personally involved: “I can do a lot more through personal contact and the good thing about our charity is that 100% of money donated goes to help the children. Some of them walk for two hours to reach their schools.” Oliver’s documentary film will be used to raise awareness of the charity and will be distributed through the Leeds Education Development Centre. It will also become part of his final project for his degree in BA Visual Communications at Leeds College of Art & Design. | 
