A word from our CEO Rob Kalka...

Welcome to our May Newsletter for 2008. The last two months have been a very eventful time for World Youth International, and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of all our Extraordinary Volunteers. There are so many extraordinary people volunteering to take on projects to fundraise in support of WYI's work overseas, and here are just a few of them...

A huge thank you to everyone involved in Pedal Against Poverty, especially Kim Davis who worked tirelessly to create this successful fundraising event. Thank you to the WYI supporters in Sydney who hosted the Chance for Change trivia night, especially Carinne Bird and Cindy Angel. Thank you to the Book Team who are working to tight deadlines to produce a coffee table book celebrating 20 years of WYI's work. And finally, thank you to Lee van Hooff, who's I.T. advice to WYI has made an enormous difference to improve our presence on internet search engines.

Without our amazing volunteers, WYI would not exist and orphaned and vulnerable children all over the world would not get access to healthcare, education and opportunity.

Pedal Against Poverty is a national fundraising event which will be held annually to support the work of World Youth International. The innagural event was held last month, with 10 teams of people pedaling their bikes and raising money throughout Australia! To date, we have raised almost $13,000 but there is still more to come in. We'd like to thank all of those who took up the challenge to get on their bikes and help raise some much needed funds to support our work here and overseas. To read more about the event, please click here.

• 30,000 children die from poverty-related causes everyday
• 115 million school-aged children are not in school
• Two-thirds of the world's illiterate people are female.
• More than 500,000 women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth every year
• 50 million people will be infected with HIV by 2010 (15,000 newly infected every day)
• Malaria causes more than 300 million acute illnesses and at least one million deaths annually
• One billion lack access to drinkable water

Every day, World Youth International works on making a difference to these vulnerable people. What are YOU doing to help? Call us on (08) 8340 1266 or go to www.worldyouth.org.au to find out how you can be part of creating positive change globally.

Rob Kalka, the CEO of WYI, recently travelled to Kenya and Uganda to see how the post election violence had impacted upon people in WYI development projects and volunteer programs, to strengthen our Kenyan volunteer programs and relationships, and to develop a brand new program in Uganda. The experience was invaluable, and the outcomes incredible - please click here to read all about it.

Team Leaders in Kenya, Nepal, Cambodia and Peru: Multiple roles for November 2008 - January 2009 

World Youth International is looking for several dedicated volunteers to lead our Overseas Action Programs at the end of 2008 and start of 2009!  The team leader will be responsible for a team of volunteers and the success of the projects. ALL expenses (including flights and travel insurance) are covered by WYI. This is an amazing opportunity! If you are interested, please visit our Careers page for instructions on how to apply, and send in your application by May 30, 2008.

In Peru, more than 5 million people live below the poverty line. World Youth International has been working to create positive change in rural Peruvian communities through our Overseas Action Program. Volunteers have the opportunity to work in a very hands on role, building sustainable structures in rural villages while living and playing with the locals! Peru's mystical beauty and intriguing history provides a magical backdrop for our volunteers, and is a great way to experience the wonders of South America. There are still places available for our November 2008 program - click here to find out more!

This year, the annual Leadership Development Program will be held on July 25 - 28 at the Rymill Centre in the Adelaide Hills. This program gives participants the opportunity to develop and enhance skills in leadership, team work, problem solving, conflict resolution, communication, relationships and project management. There is also the chance to design a project that will benefit a local or global community and we will provide the skills, support and coaching to bring this to fruition!

Participating in this program will give you the opportunity to reconnect with old friends or meet new, like-minded people. The training you will receive is inspirational, motivating and life-changing. If you have never been to one before - consider going this year! The program is FREE for recently returned participants, and for others we will charge a nominal fee to cover food and accommodation costs. If you want to find out more, please click here.

We are committed to making our volunteer programs amongst the world's best and we strive to ensure our development projects are effectively addressing community needs, and providing a satisfying, meaningful experience for volunteers and communities alike. We also value your feedback to help us improve, so if you are a past volunteer and have some ideas to pass on, please email Rob Kalka. For more information on what we are working on, please click here.

A special thank you to Cathie Peters, Director of Good Guys Noarlunga retail store. Cathie generously donated $2,175 to build 3 mud-brick family homes in Kenya.

There are many more families in desperate need. If you're able, please donate to WYI, enabling us to provide basic needs for their survival and a 'hand-up' for a better future. Click here to donate now.

9 year old Diwas was left orphaned when his parents died several years ago. The local council tried to find a family to care for him within his village, but most of the families were struggling to feed themselves, let alone care for a young boy too. However, he was eventually taken in by a family and offered a bed and food, but in return he was forced to work relentlessly as a domestic servant. For several years Diwas was a victim of child labour, and didn't get the chance to attend school or enjoy his childhood.

World Youth International has given Diwas the opportunity to become a child again - to laugh, play, attend school and have fun. He now has a place in the Sapana Dreaming Childrens Home and WYI School alongside his sister (pictured). Now we need YOUR help. Diwas does not have a sponsor and without one he will be in danger of losing his opportunity due to a lack of funds. Please consider sponsoring Diwas so he can continue to live at Sapana and live the life that every child should. Email Ann Hoey or call (08) 8340 1266 to find out more details.  

Please read all about the latest updates at the WYI School in Nepal in their latest newsletter.

 Download Newsletter Here

Nearly 3 years ago Sallie Sandiford went to the World Youth International Owiti Children's Home in Nyamasaria, outside Kisumu, Kenya as a community volunteer with WYI. On a visit to the children's primary school, a school of some 1200 children, she was not prepared for the total lack of amenities for the children, not a book or a poster in sight other than the children's own thin workbooks. Click here to read how she changed their lives.