A CHILD protection social worker will leave his job to help improve the lives of people in Cambodia.

Sam Myhill, 25, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, is visiting Cambodia for three months and hopes to improve the quality of life of people who live there.

The 25-year-old, who is an assessment and safeguarding social worker at Blackburn with Darwen Council, will be volunteering with Voluntary Services Overseas on a cross cultural project with both UK and Cambodian volunteers.

The volunteer leader said: “VSO’s vision is a Cambodia where people, especially poor communities, have an improved quality of life and lead their own development.

“The mission is to bring people together to build the capacity of government and civil society and to enable poor communities to influence pro-poor policies and access quality basic services.

“I will be piloting a project in an area named Sambour which sits in one of the poorest districts in the country.

"It is both exciting and nerve wracking because we are going into a community which has not had volunteers from this organisation before.

"I will be living in places with no electricity, a lack of washing facilities, no wifi and my mode of transport will be a bike."

Unemployment rates in Cambodia are at a high level, with three million Cambodians living on less than $1.25 a day and eight million on less than $2 a day.

“The group and I can expect to take part in a variety of activities such as action research, awareness raising and resource development.

"We will also be looking to improve youth participation in schools, the accountability of schools and increase in the employability of youth through business development, technical and vocational training."

In 2013 the former Law student went to Ghana to help combat human trafficking and highlight human rights issues.

Sam said: "Ghana was a life changing experience and completely changed what I was doing. I know longer wanted to become a solicitor but instead a social worker.

"I have since wanted to expand on those experiences and Cambodia gives me the opportunity to do that."

Sam, who studied at St Bede’s RC High School in Blackburn, has appealed for people to support their effort in raising thousands of pounds for Voluntary Services Overseas.

He said: "Each individual has to fund raise a minimum of £800 as part of the international citizenship service to show their levels of commitment to the cause.

"So far we have raised £150 and are looking for more donations.

"The money isn't going to accommodation or flights but instead to the recruitment of future volunteers to volunteer in similar sustainable development projects all around the world."

The trip will commence on September 24 and close on December 21.

People can donate by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sam-myhill