Friday 25 September 2009

Amy says thanks.

Amy Gallagher recently returned back from Kenya with this lovely message of thanks:
Hi David, How are you and how are the new Kenya crew doing? Not long till they go now :) I just wanted to thank you, as never got round to it before and feel bad about that. I just wanted to thank you for the oppurtunity to go to Kenya. I have to honestly say it was the best experience of my life and will never forget it.

Karanja and Mary were both a big help always and were so nice it was like having another family (along with Mrs Maina too of course) :) If you ever need any help with anything, be it interviews or inductions, just let me know because i promise i'd not run out of things to say - in fact maybe's its not the best idea as i may bore them all to death :)

No but seriously, if there is anything i can do to help you, to pay back my thanks, please just let me know. I hope to go back, with many of the others, next year sometime in July just to visit and hopefully we'll raise some more money for both the orphanage and school, so promise that we will keep you updated.

Baraka was such an amazing placement and absolutly loved volunteers coming over. They took ellen leaving early in good peace and welcomed Ben with open arms on a thursday when he didnt have any lessons at his own school. The teachers were so friendly and i hope that, if there aren't volunteers going this time, that you will seriously consider them for next year because they really are a great school :)

I wish you all the best and as am hoping to take another gap year after uni (if money allows) :), then i will definetly go with your Gap company. Thank you so much again.Amy G xxx

Thank goes to Amy for all her hard work whilst in Kenya.

Wednesday 16 September 2009

Launch of the 1st Changing Worlds Competition

Hello all,

We are delighted to announce the launch of the first ever Changing Worlds Photo of the Month Competition!

We have selected 4 photos that have been sent in by past volunteers that we are now asking the general public to vote on. The winning photo will become the face of Changing Worlds for November including Twitter, Facebook, our monthly newsletter and of course a profile of the winner on here.
Just by voting you will be entered into a free prize draw to win a travel guide of your choice. This could be for a trip you are planning or just to provide you with an insight into a country of interest. We don't go anywhere without one!
All you have to do is follow the following link to view the photos in full size and cast your vote.

http://bit.ly/oB3HV

Monday 14 September 2009

Rebecca provides a wonderful insight to Kenya

Rebecca went to Kenya with Changing Worlds back in January 2009. She was out there for six months and clearly made a huge impact. rebecca and others worked in an orphanage in the Kenyan town of Nakuru.

Rebecca has set up a blog that just about says it all. Do please access it at:



Enjoy!


A big thanks to Rebecca for her amazing contribution!

Friday 11 September 2009

Selwyn in India reports back

Selwyn at one of our orphanages in Chennai, India likes to keep me updated about the children in his care. There is always plenty to ponder in his diary. He writes:
Dear David Gill,

Lots of love and greetings from Prema Vasam!

Today we have appointed one more physiotherapist, Miss Mercy to give therapy for our special children. Since the number of special children are more, sometimes some of the special children do not get the professional touch of the therapist.

Though we say proudly that we wish to serve special children more affectionately than school going normal children but the number of school going children are more in Prema Vasam. Of course the school going children too deserve our love and concern. Hence we try our best to develop the talents that dormant in them. Having that in mind we try to teach Karate, classical dance called Bharathanatyam, playing drums and so on. Last week some of our children took part in a karate tournament, Vasanth got gold medal in his age group, Arun and Sathish got silver medal in their age group, Manikandan and Hemalatha got bronze medal in their age group.

These days our Soundarya is not keeping well, please remember her during the moments of grace.

Our school going children got their progress report for the first mid term test, some of them have scored good marks and the rest of them have to concentrate more on their studies. We are so happy that Punith got First Rank in the class. And our college going girls got their semester results too. Anisha and Suganya have passed in all the subjects, whereas the rest of them have failed in one or two subjects, it is so sad and disappointing. Of course it is so soothing that our college going girls are serving our special children and teaching our school going children, they contribute so much for the well being of our children.
Dr.Roshan and his colleagues from Meenakshi dental college have come forward to give dental care for our children, to begin with every Thursday they take some of our children to their hospital for the dental care.

With much love,
Selvyn.
We hope that Soundarya makes a quick and full recovery.

Thursday 10 September 2009

Celebrating National Teachers Day in China

Jack Lui, our Changing Worlds representative in Yantai, writes:
Dear Volunteer Teachers,

On the great occasion of Chinese Teacher’s Day on September 10, we would like to extend a warm and sincere festival greeting to all of you for A Happy Teachers’ Day of China.

This is a special meaningful day for us to send our utmost respect to all teachers who have been devoted their time and efforts for hard and ever-lasting cultivation of the younger generation to absorb knowledge and wisdom for a better world and the future.
This is a unique unforgettable time for us to commemorate all the contributions all teachers have made in the way of building up a society of justice, harmony and civilization.

Teachers are regarded as candles, which are burning themselves and illuminating others.

Thank you very much for your continued dedication and commitment for teaching and training assignments at our schools of various levels.
Jack Liu

Changing Worlds would like to send our best wishes for today.