In August teenager Thiago Costa will spend part of his summer holidays volunteering in Nepal.

Eastern Daily Press: Thiago Costa volunteering in Cambodia last year. Picture: ADRAThiago Costa volunteering in Cambodia last year. Picture: ADRA (Image: Archant)

The 19-year-old, who lives in Thetford with his mother and two younger brothers, will spend 15 days helping to renovate a school which is in a poor condition.

The second year West Suffolk College computing student will be volunteering with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), an organisation which aims to help those in need across the world.

The teenager is no stranger to volunteer work and spent part of his 2016 summer holidays in Cambodia where he helped to build water systems and child shelters in addition to running a children's club with the focus on improving hygiene.

Mr Costa said: 'I am really looking forward to it. It is something I will really enjoy.

Eastern Daily Press: Thiago Costa volunteering in Cambodia last year. Picture: ADRAThiago Costa volunteering in Cambodia last year. Picture: ADRA (Image: Archant)

'It is such an experience. You not only get to see another part of the world, you get to help other people, see a different country and make a change.

'It helps other people and it is really a rewarding thing to do. It is eye opening.

'I really want to keep this up as much as I can.'

The school Mr Costa will be helping to renovate is 15 miles away from central Kathmandu.

Once the project is completed it will allow ADRA Nepal to give underprivileged children access to education and will benefit up to 566 students.

In April, the Rotary Club of Bury St Edmunds recognised the teenager's volunteer work by awarding him with the Service Above Self award.

Mr Costa, who also volunteers at a local church, said: 'What I am most looking forward to about this trip is because it is working with children they get really happy when people are there to help. And that is truly nice to see.'

The student added: 'While we do not leave our comfort zone to help others we do not realize how rich we are.

'Volunteering is an experience that, without hesitation, I recommend to anyone. Only then we can see how great the world is and how lucky we are.'

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