Bon Voyage Jessica!

Jessica Eastwood, from Orritor Street in the town, will join five others to represent Northern Ireland at the prestigious World Down Syndrome Conference in Cape Town on August 13th.

Jessica will share her experience of working within the community and those less fortunate with hundreds of people from around the world after taking part in a special three year project.

From 2010 the kind hearted 26 year-old has dedicated her time to volunteering, fundraising and building relationships within the Province and as far as Romania through the Down Syndrome Association’s Citizenship Project.

The aims of the project were to encourage and increase participants understanding of community and citizenship, learn about other cultures and bring about change for others.

In October last year Jessica, along with staff and volunteers from the Down Syndrome Association, visited Romania and built a house and shed for those living within the poverty stricken region. She also volunteered her time with homeless charity the Simon Community, and local charity St Vincent de Paul and completed the Belfast Marathon last year.

“Jessica is so excited,” mum Deirdre told the MAIL, “All participants will have a little speech to make, along with a wonderful PowerPoint presentation showcasing their work in Romania.

“She is one of six going, four girls and two boys. They will talk about what citizenship means to them, what poverty means and how they worked in a practical setting with their voluntary work.”

The group will also touch upon how Northern Ireland has been in conflict, identifying with other nations from around the world who too have been in conflict and the positive outcome.

The trip will mark the end of the three year project, which started in 2010 and saw Jessica give up her time to work within her local community.