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Youth Ambassadors en route to Timor-Leste (also known as East Timor)

A trio of Kiwi teenagers is en route to Timor-Leste (also known as East Timor) as part of the World Vision and Sanitarium Youth Ambassadors programme. They will witness first-hand the huge difference this year’s 40 Hour Famine funds can make in the lives of children and families in need.

The three Youth Ambassadors are Dylan Kimpton, 18, of Hamilton Christian School; Daniel Whittaker, 18, of Sacred Heart College, Auckland, and Kirstin Burt, 18, of Timaru Girls’ High.

They will visit World Vision-funded communities in Timor-Leste, one of New Zealand’s closest neighbours in Asia, where almost half of all young children are malnourished. Timor-Leste is one of the poorest countries in the Asia Pacific region, ranking 120 of 169 countries on the Human Development Index.

Food insecurity is common in Timor-Leste, because of low crop yields, limited income-generating opportunities and purchasing power. It is also a very young country, with half the population of just over a million people being under the age of 15.

The three outstanding young leaders were selected from a group of 49 contenders from all over New Zealand. Each student exemplified the characteristics and values of leadership, teamwork and a deep concern for the wellbeing of others, along with a global conscience. Individually, they also demonstrated a profound commitment to the poor, and the desire to challenge and inspire their peers to stand up against injustice and advocate on issues of global poverty.

The students will gain an insight into the complexities of poverty and development work, and have an opportunity to participate in the solution.

On their return home, the Youth Ambassadors will be actively involved in this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Famine campaign which focuses on global hunger. They will share their Timor-Leste experiences in schools and at public events, and engage in social media.

Background:
This exciting trip comes off the back of the successful May 2010 40 Hour Famine campaign, during which over 120,000 young Kiwis raised an outstanding $2.4 million. These fundraising efforts will help children living in developing countries, who are struggling to survive in the face of extreme poverty and hunger.

World Vision and Sanitarium have been running the Youth Ambassador’s programme in New Zealand for over 27 years and have a long-term commitment to developing young Kiwi leaders.

What we can offer:
• Footage and still images of the Youth Ambassadors in East Timor (on return - from Monday 24th January)
• Studio interviews with the Youth Ambassadors (on return)Interviews with World Vision and Sanitarium representatives

ENDS

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