For Ayla, a 17-year-old resident of Rogil, Aljezur, a lifelong dream is within reach. She has recently been accepted to UWC Atlantic College, a prestigious international school that considers diversity one of its core values. Ayla was selected for the school’s pioneering Systems Transformation Pathway (STP), an innovative educational programme designed to equip young people to tackle the complexities of the modern world by linking theory directly to real-world practice.
However, this incredible opportunity comes with a significant financial hurdle. While UWC Atlantic emphasises maintaining a diverse student body through scholarships, Ayla’s unusual background as a Dutch girl raised in Portugal who followed an alternative educational path meant she did not qualify to apply for one. Driven by her intense motivation to participate in a learning environment she deeply believes in, Ayla realised she had to raise her own funds to attend.
To achieve her goal, Ayla is merging her passion for education with environmental action. From 3 – 9 August, she will embark on a seven-day sponsored coastal clean-up walk along the Fisherman’s Trail in the western Algarve. This initiative is not simply a fundraiser; it is a dedicated effort to protect the local environment. Ayla hopes her trek will bring vital awareness to the importance of keeping Portugal’s Natural Parks clean for the well-being of everyone, ensuring the region’s beauty can be enjoyed well into the future. Furthermore, she hopes her journey will inspire other local youth to realise what is possible when they take action.
Ayla’s proactive spirit perfectly reflects the ethos of the STP programme she wishes to join, which empowers students by showing them they have the “personal and collective capacity to make a difference”.
Ayla is well on her way to reaching her goal, but she still needs community support. Readers can learn more about her inspiring story, watch videos detailing her coastal clean-up, and support her journey by visiting her campaign page.
