A STOCKSFIELD graduate is going back to basics to spend three months volunteering in rural Nicaragua.

For the duration of his trip Joss Duncan will be almost entirely cut off from the rest of the world.

He is taking part in a water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) project, educating the community and building new latrines and water pumps.

The 22-year-old's only method of contacting family and friends will be through letters, a step back from today's world of ever accelerating communication.

Having recently graduated from the University of Portsmouth with a degree in International Development, Joss was keen to see more of the world before settling down in a full-time job.

After discovering overseas volunteering programme, the International Citizen's Programme he was selected to take part in sister organisation, Raleigh International's project in Nicaragua.

Joss will fly to Nicaragua on September 16, but won't know exactly where he will be based until he completes a week's training.

Volunteers will make their own work in the community in which they are based, through meetings with local people.

Joss is currently brushing up on his Spanish so he can chat to the family who will host him.

The lifestyle will be fairly basic, with intermittent access to water and electricity volunteers will build their own toilets and showers from bamboo.

But Joss is looking forward to the challenge, he said: "I think it's so important to have a digital detox as we're constantly immersed in technology.

"I also think it's important to push yourself out of your comfort zone.

"It is a dry programme, so no alcohol for three months but after three years at university I think I need a bit of a detox."

Joss is also raising money for ICS, his target is to raise £1,500 by September 9 and so far he has raised over £900.

He said: "Any contribution will make a real difference to the lives of the communities ICS work with."

For more information or to donate visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Joss-Duncan1