Two pupils from a Welsh-language school will be joining 23 other youngsters from across Wales on a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Patagonia.
Owain Ash and Joanna Zajac, both 16, from Ysgol Cwm Rhymni in Caerphilly will be visiting the Chubut province of Argentina in October. The region has strong connections with Wales, with around 5,000 Welsh speakers.
The trip has taken place annually since the Urdd and Mentrau Iaith Cymru organised the first visit in 2008, and the young people will have to fundraise £2,400 each.
While in Patagonia, the group will spend two weeks participating in a number of activities such as visiting young children, teenagers, and the elderly that speak Welsh, performing in concerts, competing in the Chubut Eisteddfod and doing voluntary work.
Lois Hedd, Urdd Denbigh Development Officer and one of the 2017 Patagonia visit leaders, said: “We received a high number of entries from across Wales again this year and it was a hard task to choose only 25 of them. They have all started raising money and I’m sure they will think of many innovative ways to reach their target.”
Sioned Hughes, Urdd Chief Executive, added: “The Urdd are very proud of the experiences that we offer the young people of Wales – from the Eisteddfod to our residential centres, our national sport competitions to memorable overseas visits.
“This visit to Patagonia is the highlight of the Urdd’s international activities and we are very proud that we have worked with Mentrau Iaith Cymru offering this unique visit for the last ten years. Congratulations to the 25 that have been chosen and good luck with the hard work of raising money over the next few months.”
Well done on being selected. I hope you both have great time, you will have earned it. Enjoy representing the school and Caerphilly borough. Mwynhewch y brofiad, hollol genfigennus!