Ysgol Dyffryn Aman sixth former Ben Davies welcomed Neil Hamilton AM and his wife Christine to the school recently.

The Year 13 pupil got in contact with the Hamilton’s for their support after being selected to take a year out before university to teach English in Myanmar, a country where some communities face extreme poverty.

Project Trust is an educational charity which sends over a hundred volunteers to over 30 different countries each year.

Each volunteer is required to fund raise £6,200 to cover accommodation, comprehensive medical insurance, visas, flights and other incidentals.

As an overseas volunteer for a year, the 17-year-old will engage in helping the local community as well as working in schools to improve and enhance the education of children.

Ben, who stood for UKIP in a recent school mock election, said. “I am very excited at the prospect of spending a year in Myanmar and I know I am very lucky to have been chosen for this fantastic opportunity.

“My main role will be to teach pupils in extremely deprived Burmese speaking areas where English is seen as crucial in order to succeed.

“I will also be helping within the community and staying with a host family in order to gain an understanding of the local culture belief’s, teachings and practices which are mainly Buddhist.”

As well as seeking sponsorship for the trip, Ben, from Penygroes, has also been raising funds by selling cakes in school, collecting sponsorships for a Pen Y Fan hike with friends and teachers next March and planning other events such as a charity quiz night and a curry night to be held after Christmas.

Neil Hamilton AM, a former Amman Valley School pupil, said: “Christine and I were delighted to meet Ben and be able to congratulate him personally on being selected for this very worthwhile project.

“He is a determined and focused young man and will, I know, be able to make a real difference to the lives of some young people on the other side of the world as well as gaining invaluable experience which will stand him in good stead for life.

“It is a pleasure to make a modest contribution to his efforts and I wish him every success.”

Mr Hamilton gladly donated £100 towards the project which will see Ben head to Mynamar in September next year and his training will begin next Summer.

Ben’s progress can be followed on his Facebook page.’ Ben’s year in Myanmar.’