After nine weeks of volunteering in another country, most of us would be looking forward to getting back to our creature comforts.

But for one woman– Simone Ward from Birchington – that is simply not the case.

Having spent more than two months volunteering in Bangladesh, the 22-year-old is now using the skills she developed overseas to help out in the UK.

Miss Ward travelled to the Asian country with international development organisation VSO, as part of the government funded International Citizen Service (ICS) programme.

She worked alongside young volunteers from Bangladesh and the UK on a sustainable development project while living with a host family to fully understand challenges people living in that country may face.

“Many young people in Bangladesh, especially young girls, do not complete school because of their role in the house,” Miss Ward said.

“Instead they must complete daily chores such as cooking and cleaning.

“This means they miss out on an education and do not have the knowledge or skills to get a job or earn money and are subjected to poverty.”

“I had an incredible time in Bangladesh.

“I really enjoyed working with the young females in the community.

“I feel our project had made a real impact in the community by providing young people - especially young girls - that did not complete school with skills training to give them the knowledge and the opportunity to start their own businesses.”

Miss Ward is now carrying out an ‘action at home’ project back in Birchington.

“The placement made me realise that there are still people in the UK who are also living in poverty,” Miss Ward said.

“Now I am home I am keen to help tackle these issues.

“I have decided to start volunteering with Age UK by joining the befriending service.”

For more information on volunteering with ICS, go to their website.