A HOLSWORTHY law student has thanked all who contributed towards her fundraising efforts after returning from Central America as part of an overseas placement.

Emily Walter was able to raise the £800 target — with significant contributions coming from Holsworthy Lions Club and Rotary Club — and head to Nicaragua with Raleigh International and their International Citizen Service (ICS) in the summer.

It was an experience she is sure not to forget: "I spent ten weeks living in a small community called La Perla, near the town of Achuapa, León. I really enjoyed this experience and it allowed me to see first-hand the poverty that exists in other areas of the world.

"After carrying out baseline surveys to assess the needs of the community, with my team, Charlie One, we constructed 22 eco latrines, 21 eco furnaces, 18 vegetable plots and one eco-oven.

"This was an immense achievement and will, in turn, help to provide cleaner water, reduce deforestation, lower smoke levels in the home for the women cooking and discourage the use of pesticides when growing fruits and vegetables.

"These are all important developments, which will improve the health and ultimately life expectancies of these people."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.