Hello Everyone,

June 2009 Newsletter

Returning participants

This is the time of year when most participants are returning to the UK after their adventures. It is always satisfying to receive feedback as this is useful to us in the UK and our representatives overseas.

If you have not heard from us then do drop me a line to david@changingworlds.co.uk - we can send you our post placement questionnaire.

Chelsey and Alice both e-mailed separately to say they were back in the UK and:

‘Hiya David
 
Finally got round to writing my thankyou email. I LOVED Ghana, brilliant experience that I will treasure forever and would like to thank everyone for the part they played in organising it.
 
Would definitely volunteer myself for any pre-departure talks, I'll give a good review promise :)
 
Again thank you, and could you pass on thanks to Francis as I've lost his email, or pass on his email. :)
 
Chelsey

And:

Hi David,
 
Just a quick email to say thankyou so much for the opportunity you gave me to go too Ghana. I had a amazing time and its something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The school was fantastic, the kids were incredible and Francis (although he takes ghana maybe time to a whole new level!) was brilliant when ever you needed him he was there. (eventually! )
 
I definitely want to go travelling again and no doubt you will be hearing from me hopefully this time next year once I have some money again!
 
Many Thanks once again.
 
Alice Pullin

Jess Mills who went to India says:

Hi,
Just wanted to let you know I have arrived home safe and sound and to say a big thank you for everything, especially with organising my flight back etc. I also wanted to find out when the next India volunteers prep w/e was and to see if I could come along to help as someone with 'experience' because talking about India for two days solid would be a dream come true and I found talking to Sophie so useful before we went so wanted to repay the favour.

Many thanks, speak soon,

Jess

Theresa Manson went to Kenya and says:

‘hey its good to be back in shetland! weathers ok so thats a plus!

just wanted to say i really enjoyed my self out there, was an amazing expieriance and would defo do it again sumday.

nancy was an amazing host, defonetlly 1 ov the best i think, was so welcoming and it felt so much like home, was very sad to leave the house and family.

If theres any questions you would like to ask me then go ahead, be happy to answer them for you?

theresa

Mark Farrington, whose daughter Jane went to India with us, says:

‘Dear David,

First a great thank-you for your organization's work in setting up Jane's (Farrington) gap year trip to Prema Vasam - she's having the most fantastic time, and has grown up wonderfully during the past 5 months. She's currently travelling with friends before they return home early next week. Quite a culture shock is anticipated.

Kate & I went out to southern India in February, and had the great pleasure of seeing the orphanage for a day: we both found this a very inspirational experience. Jane has identified a girl there whose education we'd like to sponsor, and although Jane was going to send me the appropriate details, she seems not to have managed to do this! (It's possible an email went astray).

I wonder if you could let me have Selvyn's email address so I can establish with him what's needed, when and how best to transfer it?

All the best, and many thanks again,

Mark Farrington

Fundraising

Thanks to those of you have been helping with fund raising.

Details of our commitment to St Stephen's orphanage in Nakuru in Kenya are continuing.

To find out more do access the new Facebook link at:

Subject: suggestions (from Karanja, the Changing Worlds representative in Nakuru)

"we need input and suggestions on the way forward guys asap.

get ideas back guys and keep the project going!!!thanks."

To reply to this message, follow the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox/readmessage.php&t=1159571194040&mid=858dd6G1e370deeG1bf6ee2G0

Please access this link to get the latest news.

We are busy trying to raise funds for a new roof. Karanja tells me that the cost of the roof is around GB£3 000.

On a slightly smaller scale but as equally valid Robin Campbell in Kumasi, Ghana has been busy help establishing a cricket team for the local women.

He writes:

‘Hi David yeah that would be really helpful. at the moment we currently have one bat one wicket and about 8 tennis balls. What we'd really need is any unwanted bats, wickets and pads and any cricket balls spare. I cant really put photos up because it just takes an unreal amount of time to upload (eg 40minutes for one photo). The squad consists currently of 25 girls. Bats are around 50quid and a full set of pads bat and helmet you can get at around 200 pounds i think. thank u so much for your help. everythings really great out here
Robin

If you feel you can make any small contribution to these excellent campaigns then do let me know. Thank you.

New Brochure

Shirley has been busy designing and creating our new brochure. Thank you for all of your who have provided input in to the brochure. We hope to have it printed off in early July 2009.

Any comments would be well received.

Good bye

Those volunteers who have been to India with Changing Worlds will know Vibha Gopal.

Krish, the Changing Worlds representative based in Chennai, says:

Vibha is wanting to start a family. Her doctors have advised to her to stop work and rest at home. Will defintely miss her and hopefully so will she!'

I wanted to thank Vibha for all her hard work and support to our volunteers over the last ten years.

If you want to thank Vibha and wish her well then do e-mail to vibha_2310@airtelmail.in. Vibha also has a Facebook account.

Thanks Vibha and good luck! I will, of course, keep you updated.

Swine Flu

We are taking the threat of swine flu very seriously at Changing Worlds. WE have a duty of care to all our participants, host organisations and our representatives.

The latest news we have is kindly supplied by Richard Oliver at the Year Out Group:

Updated: Global cases of swine influenza in humans
http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/swineflucases.htm

That's about it for now...hope you enjoy your Summer!

David