A word from our CEO Rob Kalka...

Christmas is around the corner and I can't believe I've been working with WYI for over a year now. Time flies when you're having fun! With the intention of constant improvement, our operational team of volunteers and staff aim for WYI to be world's best in its effectiveness as a community development agency. We want to bring positive transformation to the lives of everyone involved, here in Australia and overseas. I think we're making great progress.

Click here for a brief summary of what we've been up to recently.

Girl children are killed at birth, or at best destined for a life of labouring. Schools operate with one teacher per 150 students and many students start dropping-out from grade three. 400 families live in a community without a single toilet, and rely on a muddy pond for their water supply. These are examples of what I experienced in September, when I travelled to India and Nepal.

Thank you for your commitment in supporting WYI; to identify such desperate needs and take action to change things for the better. WYI's overseas projects are making a positive difference to communities affected by severe poverty and discriminated by caste.

My first 2 weeks were spent in India evaluating the Indian Network for Development Exchange (IDEX) for a partnership with WYI. The second fortnight was in Nepal; getting to know the WYI Nepal team, reviewing past and current projects, planning the future and being part of WYI's 20 year celebrations. A fascinating and confronting trip with great outcomes. Click here to read all about it.

At the end of this month, there will be three dedicated teams of volunteers travelling overseas with World Youth International. In Kenya, there will be 15 volunteers led by their wonderful Team Leader, Adam Whitefield and Assistant Coordinator, Lucy Fraser. They will be working in Mutumbu to construct a much needed community resource centre, and the village of Odede to build an Early Childhood Development Centre. These projects will be very rewarding and will make a difference to hundreds of people in the communities. The Nepal Overseas Action Program has been so popular that we have two seperate groups! The 10 week program, led by the lovely Danielle Robst, is set to start on November 27, and has a total of 12 people. The second program runs for 5 weeks, has a total of 9 volunteers and will be led by the amazing Natalie Mendez. We wish them all the best and look forward to hearing about the life-changing results they cause!

Early next year, we will be advertising for team leader positions for June 2009 - so if you are interested, watch this space!

This year, 2008, has been a special time for us at World Youth International with the recent 20th Anniversary celebrations of our organization in both Adelaide and in Kathmandu, Nepal. Our celebrations were made even more special with the announcement of Mrs. Sandra Groom as the Patron of the WYI School in Gokarna Nepal.

Our school first opened in 1999 with 23 children and now nine years later, over 400 children are enrolled. On September 14th we celebrated Founder's Day at our school and it was just prior to this event that Radha Uprety, Chairperson of the School Management Committee, invited Sandra to her home for dinner. During the evening, all the board members of WYI Nepal arrived at Radha's house greeting Sandra with big smiles on their face. Still oblivious to what was about to happen, Sandra wondered what was going on and even more so .... what had she done!!!

Click here for more on Sandra Groom.

The first World Youth International Gift Catalogue, launched on 31st October 2007 in Adelaide, has proven to be a great success in providing vital supplies for the people of Kenya and children attending the WYI School in Nepal. In the 11 months since the catalogue's release, over 400 gift items totalling more than $33,000 were purchased. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who purchased gift/s from the catalogue and share with you the difference that you have helped to make.

Please click here to read about the impact the WYI Gift Catalogue has made.

One of World Youth International's amazing volunteers, Shoshana Faire (and one of the people who made our book "You Are Amazing!" possible) celebrated her 60th birthday recently, and had a 'party with a difference'. She decided to celebrate her life with the people she loved most as well as create a fund raising event for World Youth International. Shoshana requested 'no birthday gifts' but asked her guests to make a contribution to World Youth - and promised people a night to remember!

The night was SENSATIONAL! Shoshana raised $9775 including about $1200 in book sales! Click here to find out more!

Susanne Rix has been a volunteer and a passionate supporter of World Youth International for 16 years. She was introduced to WYI by her daughter, Serena, who joined a marathon WYI bike ride 17 years ago as a WYI fundraiser. Susanne's support of Serena transformed into her support for our organisation, and she has worked very hard for many years, in the background, making a difference to the children.

Susanne also sponsors a child in Nepal through World Youth International and has had the chance to meet her, which she describes as a 'miraculous unforgettable and emotional moment' in her life. Recently, she has given other sponsors the opportunity to meet the children they sponsor, to be as touched, moved, and inspired as she was - and then go trekking!

Click here to find out more.

On the 22 of October over a 100 World Youth faithful came together on a beautifully chilled spring evening at Wheaton House located at Pulteney Grammar School in Adelaide to celebrate World Youth International's 20th Birthday, and the brilliant and life changing work done over the years.

Click here for a full report!

World Youth International is excited to announce our major sponsor for Jazz in the Park 2009 - The Good Guys! The South Australian branches in Edwardstown, Norlunga, Pooraka, and Mile End have come together to support this wonderful event which will now be known as "The Good Guys Jazz in the Park"! It will be the 10th event of its kind and we are looking forward to a fantastic night. We thank the Good Guys for their support, and we ask that all of you in South Australia keep the 6th of February free for a night of fine wine, great food and magnificent entertainment in the heart of Adelaide. More details will follow soon, so keep your eye on your email for your invitation!

Those of you who have been lucky enough to visit our School in Nepal would know what outstanding teachers we have. Teaching is not a highly valued and esteemed profession in Nepal - some would say this is also true in Australia! The men and women who choose to enter the teaching profession are committed, professional and compassionate people who do what they do because they want to make a difference to children's lives. In September I was invited to design and facilitate a teacher training program with our teachers in Nepal. It was one of the highlights of my visit. Please click here to read what we achieved.

If you would like to write to your child at the World Youth International School in Nepal, please click here for information!

National Pedal Against Poverty - April 09 - it's not too early to start planning your ride or event. Register with www.pedalagainstpoverty.org.au

ING are holding a great competition where you could score up to $10,000 for one of your happy snaps. Click here for more details!