NURSING and public health student Sophie McEniry is off to South Africa at the end of May.Ms McEniry, who is in her third year at La Trobe Bendigo, has been nominated to attend the 2009 International Scholar Laureate Program, a 12-day conference.“The conference will involve clinical visits and a rural visit,’’ Ms McEniry said.“There will be lots of discussion time, and I will be able to learn from the people dealing with issues there at the moment - the problems they are facing and the solutions being implemented.’’Ms McEniry, 21, spent six months in Cape Town in 2006.“I saw first hand how HIV/AIDS was affecting some of the kids there. Living there for six months you can’t escape it. I’ve remained interested.’’Ms McEniry said she wanted to be involved with a solution for HIV/AIDS once she completed her studies.“As soon as I’ve finished my grad year I want to go back and work in developing countries.’’Dr Jon Willis of the School of Public Health at Latrobe Bendigo is thrilled that Ms McEniry will bring back what she learns at the conference.“Because she’s doing it now we’ll benefit while she continues to study with us,’’ he said.“She has a long history of looking out for the interests of other students.“And she has always been a star in her year and in her degree program.’’Dr Willis said the faculty had contributed $1000 towards Ms McEniry’s $9500 trip but was interested in hearing from anyone who could assist her financially.“We’re looking for community organisations to take on Sophie to help raise the money she needs to get there.’’Any groups interested in assisting Ms McEniry can contact Dr Willis on 5444 7590.