Global Poverty Monitor

What made you commit to such a huge challenge? Have you always been interested in helping others?

I had been sponsoring a child in Kenya, Kantet Sentero, since 2000 (when I was 16), and had also been volunteering with a local
volunteer group raising money for World Vision. When the chance came to apply for the Ambassadorship it just seemed perfect, like it was actually designed for me. It was the perfect way for me to further my interest in helping the people living in poverty in Africa, and to learn more about my own sponsored child and his life. I really believe that the study tour was especially rewarding for me, on another level to that of the other study tour winners. I was older than the other Ambassadors, and I also thought a lot about my own sponsored child while I was in Mozambique. I feel that the things I saw in Mozambique helped me to understand the life and daily struggles of Kantet, and it also showed me that way that child sponsorship can dramatically change the lives of children and their families. When I applied for the Ambassadorship I was told that it would require a lot of time and effort on my part, particularly after returning from the study tour, but I welcomed the opportunity. I had finally been given a chance to really make a difference.