Youth encouraged to walk in someone else’s shoes

CARITAS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

27 August 2013

Caritas Challenge encourages youth to walk in someone else’s shoes

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is launching a new annual fundraising event, the Caritas Challenge, aimed at schools and youth groups. It offers hands-on, informative and fun experiences to create solidarity with those living with poverty or injustice. In 2014, the Challenge will run on the weekend 4-6 April.

Youth are encouraged to undertake an activity that brings them closer to the living conditions of those less fortunate. There are four themes to choose from: ‘Move it’ – 24 hours of physical activity like running or cycling; ‘Live it’ – build a temporary structure from cardboard and sleep in it overnight; ‘Sweat it’ – work in shifts over 24 hours, making products in a ‘sweatshop’ environment; or ‘Stop it’ – give up something like technology or food for 24 hours. Participants seek sponsorship for taking up and surviving the Challenge.

In 2014, fundraising efforts for the Challenge will focus on supporting our Pacific neighbours in Solomon Islands. Its dispersed geography across 992 islands, coupled with ongoing recovery from conflict of a decade ago, means daily challenges to provide vital services such as water, housing, health and education. Money raised during the Caritas Challenge will be used in development projects with Caritas partners in the regions of Auki and Gizo.

Preliminary notification is going to Catholic schools and youth groups this week, while more information will unfold over coming months on the dedicated website www.caritaschallenge.org.nz, as well as Caritas’ Facebook and Twitter sites.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a member of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 165 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies active in over 200 countries and territories.

ENDS.

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