"In October I was given the opportunity to revisit northern India with St John Cymru-Wales.

This trip would be extra special for two reasons, firstly I would meet for the first time a girl I started sponsoring after my last visit. Secondly My sister Anneka would be with me as she was also given the opportunity to travel with the team.

The team was made up of 15 members the youngest being 16 and the oldest 60. The Three main aims of the trip where, to train as many people in much needed first aid skills, train people to teach first aid and to improve the lives of the Tibetan children who live in exile in a very large orphanage.

We would mainly be training Tibetan people who live in the village all have travelled hundreds of miles to live free lives.

After travelling for what seemed like days we arrived in the village of Dharamsala rather tired and weary but in the true spirit of volunteering we set to work preparing the packages of bandages and medical supplies ready to take for the first days training.

Over the week we trained in venues ranging from temples to old damp barns. The people turned up in excellent numbers to learn how to save lives. The skills that they learn would be very important, as there is no medical help in the area.

All the members of the team had to learn different training techniques fast as training people who had little English, needs a bit of thinking but the use of practical sessions made sure everyone understood what they needed to do in an emergency.

On the last day the team visited the Tibetan children's village, home of over 1500 children who have parents back in Tibet. The children are sent over to India for safety. We raised over £4500 to purchase gifts and resources for the children.

This afternoon was the highlight of the trip not only because I meet my sponsor child but to see the faces of the children as we showed them the bikes and sports equipment and gave each child chocolate was just an experience we will never forget.

I am sure every member of the team would agree this has to be the best hours of our lives, seeing children who had nothing, play on the bikes and skip with ropes for the first time was a truly unforgettable moment.

It was very sad to have to leave the school that afternoon especially when saying good by to Tseting my sponsor child. All that was left to do was the long trip down the hills and the flight home a chance for everyone to think about the skills that they have developed while away and most important the big difference such a small team can do in a short time.

My sister and I will always remember our time in India. We hope to travel back some day, but if we don't we will always know deep in are hearts that we helped make a difference."

Article by James Stuart