A teenager is to set off on a three-month volunteering journey, hoping to tackle poverty in Bangladesh.

Maria Taylor-Hunt, 18, of Farnham, will travel to Bangladesh on January 22 with international development organisation Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), as part of a UK government-funded International Citizen Service (ICS) programme.

She will live with a host family to “fully immerse herself into the community” and gain a better understanding of the people there.

Maria said: “Having done my pre-placement training, I’m feeling a bit nervous but excited for my three-month placement in Bangladesh.

“I feel more proud now than ever to be taking part in ICS, which helps through youth volunteers to improve disadvantaged communities overseas.”

Maria added she would be involved with improving opportunities for youth and their influences with local government, as well as “helping to improve the situation of marginalised women in Parbotipur (north-west Bangladesh)”.

Felicity Morgan, director of ICS at VSO, said: “Maria will be joining thousands of other ICS volunteers who are doing amazing work around the world, every day.

“We’re incredibly proud UK aid is supporting young Brits to bring about positive change in some of the world’s poorest communities.”

However before Maria leaves for Bangladesh, she needs to raise £1,500 for VSO, which will ensure communities in developing countries continue to benefit from work of future volunteers.

She said: “So far I have been pretty successful with my fundraising and I’m now 74 per cent of the way there. Most notably, I did an 87-mile sponsored walk covering the northern and southern branches of the River Wey, and carrying on along the Thames.

“This was really challenging for me, yet I have raised a significant portion of my target from it and am still collecting sponsorship money.”

To donate to Maria’s fundraising scheme, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/maria-t-h