Georgia Harris, 15, and Jemima Feely, 14, hope to head out to the West African country in March with a group of 23 fellow pupils from Catmose College in Oakham.
The girls need to raise £1,400 each to pay for the trip, during which they will spend 10 days helping out at a small rural orphanage.
They are already half way to their target after several fundraising events and will be holding a cheese and wine evening on Thursday to try and reach their target.
Georgia, from Oakham, said: “We are almost there but we still need to get that last bit.
“We will be helping them finish building the orphanage and improving sanitation.
“We wanted to do something to help. They showed us a video at school of how little they have and how much we could help.”
The girls admit they are nervous about the trip. But Georgia added: “I am excited as well to be able to help them and learn their culture.”
Thursday’s cheese and wine evening takes place in Nene Crescent, Oakham.
Gifts have been donated by Baubles and Bangles, SAPS, Creme, Rutland Coffee House, The Elephant Room and Sally Holmes.
