Ainsley heads off to Sri Lanka

Many older people may think the younger generation are lazier and less hardworking than in their day but a former Harris Academy pupil has turned that stereotype on its head. Not only has Ainsley Head just had success in her Highers, she has worked tooth and nail to raise £3500 so she can go to help underprivileged children in Sri Lanka.

The 18 year old from Newbigging set off on her six-month trip yesterday. She will live and work in Kandy, in the central highlands of the country, where she will help teach English to the children of plantation workers.

It was not easy for Ainsley to raise the money. Although she got help from businesses and trusts, she still had to raise over £2000 at the same time as studying for her Highers.  She took a job as a cleaner at Ninewells Hospital where she would start work straight after school, not arriving back at the family home until 10.30 pm.

Despite working almost full-time as well as school Ainsley, the eldest of eight children, still managed to gain two Highers, giving her a total of four, and hopes to study primary teaching when she gets back.

Proud dad John, a former sheep shearer from Western Australia, said, "She worked so hard for this. I want to thank the local trusts and businesses, particularly Asda Kirkton, who helped her but she still managed to raise over £2000 by herself. Working in Sri Lanka will be great experience for a career in teaching.”

(text courtesy of "The Courier, Dundee", 26 August 2003)