Photo/MANDI HARGRAVE KATIE DOPP WILL BE traveling to Kenya next year to help build a school. But before she can go she needs to raise between $4,500 and $5,000. See the story for how you can contact her for donations. She wants to make a difference. Not only that, she wants to inspire others to become more involved in volunteer programs, but before she can do her part she needs your help.

Katie Dopp, a 22-year-old Orangeville resident enrolled in the Early Childhood Studies program at the University of Guelph-Humber, is one of 10 students traveling to Kenya in May 2008. She is going with the Free the Children Guelph- Humber/Humber chapter to help build a school through the Brick by Brick Project. Prior to traveling to Kenya, she will be raising money over the next year to help fund building the school, which is located on the edge of the Masai Mara.

Katie and the other students will be there for about 17 days.

Along with building the school she will be able to learn their language, Swahili, have the opportunity to go to work with one of the local villagers and go on a safari trip while learning about the culture and participating in leadership training. Part of the money raised for the school will go to the local village.

"I think this will be more of an emotional experience because it's not something you see on a day to day basis," she said.

This is something Katie's always been interested in doing because she truly does want to make a difference. After seeing many other people getting out there and doing something to help, she said she has finally been presented with the opportunity to do the same.

She needs to raise between $4,500 and $5,000 before next May. The number varies because it depends on how many students end up going and the cost of airfare.

So far she has raised $250. Katie said because Canadians are blessed with so much she wants to help those who have less.

After she's finished studying at Guelph-Humber, Katie wants to apply to teachers' college in hopes of becoming a teacher.

Currently she teaches dance classes at Anne Marie's Dance Academy, where she started to learn how to dance when she was four years old. She has volunteered with local organizations such as Community Living Dufferin.

"Without volunteers some programs and places wouldn't exist," she said.

To contact Katie, call her at 519-942-0439 or e-mail kdopp@guelphhumber.ca.