Young people looking to give back to their community as well as travel to other countries for a good cause are being asked to look at the Bermuda Overseas Missions (BOM) charity.

Every year since 2003, a group of volunteers have travelled to another country, led by David Thompson, 54, president of the organisation, to build houses for homeless people and the less fortunate.

Now, Mr. Thompson, who is an accountant, is looking for inspiring young people to volunteer their time when the next group, aimed at young people, heads to Guatemala, in Central America, this summer.

He said of the possibilities of youth volunteering: "I think it's humbling because you really appreciate the poverty in this world and it gives the students opportunities to experience something they've never tried and get some leadership out of it.

"We get a lot of repeat students — amazing team effort. When you take 23 students and 12 adults from all walks of life in Bermuda, black and white, as with our last trip, they bond," he said.

Young people below age 16 are required to have a parent to accompany them on the trips. During the last project involving students, last summer, BOM travelled to Brazil.

Warwick Academy pupil Catherine White, 16, went on the Brazil trip and wrote a touching essay for school on her experience. It included: "Our last day on the building site was very emotional.

"Having developed strong bonds in the short period it was now time to say goodbye. We gave each family a tree to plant, a signed book of Bermuda and a photograph of ourselves.

"There were many tears shed that day by all of us, families and volunteers alike. We made our speeches and took the photographs to commit the experience to memory.

"As we left the families were hastily moving into the houses. They did not wait for the finishing touches. Their need was so great that they were prepared to live with some construction around them until the job was completed."

Mr. Thompson stated: "We partnered with the Department of Youth and Sports and took students from the youth centres — about five youth centre students joined that trip, it was a great opportunity for them.

"We had 35 people go down there in total, 23 of which were students — five from Youth and Sport, three from the Boy Scouts of Bermuda and one representative from De Boys Day Out Club."

This year, BOM is aiming to take a group of about 35 strong to continue the tradition of home building in Guatemala. They are also partners with Global Village, a programme created by Habitat for Humanity.

Countries visited by BOM must meet certain criteria set by the group such as; the country must have a degree of political stability to ensure the safety of the volunteers and countries that have experienced a catastrophic event are considered.

During the Brazil expedition, the team stayed there two and a half weeks and built four homes in total after splitting into groups of four.

Mr. Thomson explained: "When we arrived there they had a concrete pad already prepared, so the foundations were already there and we mixed cement and brick and we laid the house, a single story dwelling, small, about 250 square feet in total.

"It was ideal for a family of four compared to what most live in today. It had a slate roof, we got the walls up, we put the roof on, we plastered the walls, got the frames in, chiseled out the areas for plumbing and electric.

"When we finished the homes, even though they had no electricity or plumbing, the families moved in because they were so desperate for their homes.

"Before we arrived, they lived in mud, stones, sticks and plastic bag homes — pretty serious. We were in a very remote part of Brazil, in the north east, it was a great contribution."

Mr. Thompson stressed that experience was not required. Adults are welcomed to go on the trips too. And you are required to fund at least 50 percent of your expenses for the trips, with BOM funding the rest through donations.

Next month, BOM is leading an adult group to India for the same purpose. While generally anyone is welcomed to come, at this time most young people are in school, Mr. Thomson mentioned.

"It's hard work, but very rewarding work because you build with the families who are going to receive the house," he continued.

"It's not all work... at the end of the trip, we take everyone out to see the sights too and explore the country."

Those interested in taking part are asked to call Mr. Thompson on 295-1078 or email him at david@ams.bm.