Kiwis encouraged to lend themselves to charity

For the ninth year in a row six New Zealanders have a chance to leave their jobs and do what they love for the next year.

The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation is on the look out for people who are passionate about working with youth in the community to take part in the World of Difference programme.

The World of Difference programme means six individuals will be able to lend themselves to a youth-related charity of their choice for a year while their salary and expenses are covered by the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation.

And in a new move this year 25 people will also have the opportunity to work for three months for one of the Vodafone Foundation’s 25 charity partners with the launch of the World of Difference Ripple programme.

Today the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation is calling on Kiwis to go online and apply to be part of a life-changing experience.

“Getting paid a wage to do what I love was a dream come true,” says Louis Brown, a current participant who is working with the Te Wai Pounamu Foundation Trust.

"It’s incredible to see the difference that can be made when people are given the opportunity to work full-time on their passion. The World of Difference programme makes this possible."

The launch of World of Difference Ripple in 2010 sees even more people being able to lend their hand, heart or mind to important charities.

“We are very excited about being able to offer the three-month version of the programme in 2010,” says Sum Tran, Vodafone Foundation New Zealand Manager.

“New Zealand has many youth development programmes that can benefit from the addition of a full-time staff member. World of Difference Ripple has been designed to ensure more organisations benefit from having passionate people onboard. We think it will appeal to employers and employees who want to get involved, but may not be able to take a full year off work.”

An interactive quiz has been developed this year to help Ripple applicants work out what personality type they are and what role and organisation might best suit them. Take the quiz at vodafone.co.nz/lendyourself or visit the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation Facebook page.

Applications for both programmes open on 26 July 2010. To find out more or to submit an online application check out foundation.vodafone.co.nz/lendyourself