Last Chance To Change The World

Friday, 30 July 2004, 10:02 am
Press Release: Vodafone

28 July 2004
News release

Last Chance To Change The World

There are just two weeks left to enter the opportunity of a lifetime – four kiwis are being given the chance to work for the charity of their choice as part of the World of Difference programme.

The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation is looking for people who want to turn their passion for a particular cause into a full-time job – whether it’s here at home or on the frontline overseas.

The selected entrants have the opportunity to work for the New Zealand based charity of their choice - anywhere in the world - for a year with their salaries (up to $50,000), travel and expenses paid for.

Initiated in 2002, this is the third year the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation has run the World of Difference programme and entries close on Friday, 6 August 2004.

“We don’t mind whether it’s caring for Kiwi kids in need or helping the starving in the Sudan, we want to hear from people dedicated to making a difference,” said Neil Porteous, the chairman of the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation.

“Many people have a vision about making the world a better place but, more often than not, find it very difficult to achieve because of a shortage of time and money. Our World of Difference programme recognises this and helps make their dreams a reality.

“With only two weeks to go, we’ve already had an incredible diversity of entries. We encourage anyone who has ever dreamt of giving something back to community, whether it be here or overseas, to enter before Friday August 6th.”

Past winners have worked for a range of New Zealand based charities including the Bali Community Health Trust, the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, The Malakula Medical Relief Trust and the Back-Up Trust.

“The response to our first two World of Difference programmes was overwhelming and our winners demonstrated incredible commitment,” he said.

More information and a World of Difference application form can be found at www.vodafone.co.nz/worldofdifference.

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Editors Notes:

- Previous winners have run education programmes in southern Sudan, worked for the Bali Community Health Trust after the bombing, helped people with disabilities at the Back-Up New Zealand Trust and worked for the child foster care organisation Homes of Hope.

- The four winners currently on assignment are helping rural communities in Vanuatu, providing mental health support for New Zealand’s deaf community, raising funds for muscular dystrophy and saving endangered yellow-eyed penguins.

- The World of Difference programme is funded annually by the Vodafone Group Foundation.

About the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation:

The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation (the Foundation) is a charitable trust established in New Zealand and funded by donations from Vodafone New Zealand Limited and the Vodafone Group Foundation (www.vodafonefoundation.org).

The Foundation makes social investments to help the people of NZ live fuller lives. It does this by: Sharing the benefits of developments in mobile communications technology with those who are currently excluded; empowering and enabling Vodafone customers, communities and employees to share their skills with others; encouraging partners and communities to develop sustainable practices for a cleaner, greener environment.

For more information see www.vodafonenzfoundation.org.nz

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