On Tuesday last week, Whaea Joe and seven senior girls attended the World Vision Conference along with multiple secondary schools across Otago. World Vision is an international relief, development, and advocacy organisation focused on helping the most vulnerable children in the world. By working to reduce poverty, address injustice, and improve the overall well-being of children and families, the organisation focuses on developing countries. Every year, youth ambassadors all around the country are recruited to spread awareness and involve as many Kiwis as possible. The students who attended the conference were very fortunate to meet and listen to the speakers and ambassadors who shared their journey and goals. 

Roy Wasi is a year 13 student in the Solomon Islands and is a local and global climate, child protection, and gender equality activist. He came to speak to students about the current issues back at home, and how young New Zealanders can help support the children and families there. 

Another speaker who came to talk at the conference was Deborah Manning. She is a New Zealand lawyer and the founder of KiwiHarvest. This charity is a food rescue organisation to combat food waste and help feed families in need. Deborah shared about her journey through courage and inspiring words of how failure does not define us, but instead fuels us. 

World Vision organises the “40 Hour Challenge” every year, which is a fun way for young people to make a positive difference in the world. This year, they are focusing on the children of Solomon Islands and giving them new opportunities with which Roy has been extremely involved. We encourage as many students to sign up to this event which will be held on the 13-15 of July. More information about this event will be shared at the school assembly in the following weeks. To learn more about the 40 Hour Challenge, visit the following links:

https://www.worldvision.org.nz/about/faqs/what-is-the-world-vision-40-hour-challenge/

https://fundraise.worldvision.org.nz/

https://fundraise.worldvision.org.nz/faqs

https://fundraise.worldvision.org.nz/how-it-works