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Sanitarium Travelling Scholars return from India
World Vision/Sanitarium Travelling Scholars return from India
Three Kiwi teenagers have just returned form a life-changing trip to India.
The World Vision/Sanitarium Travelling Scholars arrived back in Auckland yesterday (October 1), having spent eight days in India visiting World Vision projects. They represent top-performing schools from this year's World Vision 40 Hour Famine.
Their trip was entirely funded by Sanitarium, as a way of fostering leadership in young New Zealanders.
The travelling scholars are Lena-Jean Ganley from Elim Christian College (Auckland), Ilana Seager from Westlake Girls High School (Auckland) and Paul Smith from Scots College (Wellington).
"These three scholars are great ambassadors for New Zealand and have the potential to be key leaders of the future. Their trip to India has made a huge impression on them and will be something they'll remember for life," says World Vision CEO, Lisa Cescon.
One of the World Vision projects the three students visited has been particularly successful. In the past, as parents in Pernambut, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, struggled to meet family expenses they were sometimes forced to send their children out to work. World Vision's Born to be Free Project supports communities as they combat child labour and release children from bonded labour.
In Pernambut, the community is so enthusiastic about the project that they have taken over the process of releasing children from bonded labour. World Vision then focuses on rehabilitating the children – providing them with healthcare and supporting them as they begin catch-up classes or return to normal schools. The project also helps parents to improve their incomes so they aren't forced into this situation again. Communities learn about child rights so child labour is prevented in the future.
For interviews with the scholars, photos from the trip, video footage of the trip or further information, contact World Vision New Zealand press officer Catherine Healy on catherine.healy@worldvision.org.nz
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