The Vodafone Foundation Launches the 2009 World Of Difference Campaign

* Once in a lifetime opportunity for eight inspirational individuals who can really make a difference to people’s lives overseas.
* Salary and expenses worth up to £45,000 offered by the Vodafone Foundation for each person working abroad for a UK based charity
* Closing date for applications - 30th July 2009

The Vodafone Foundation is searching for eight UK-based people to make a difference by giving something back to society and working for a UK charity overseas for one year as part of its 2009 World of Difference campaign.

Anyone with passion, drive and commitment can apply for these unique roles. Applicants can work for a charity of their choice as long as that work takes them overseas and their chosen charity is registered in the UK. Relevant skills, experience and knowledge that meet the needs of the charity will also be considered. Taking part involves completing an online application form at vodafone.co.uk/worldofdifference by 30 July 2009.

Eight individuals who are prepared to make a difference and grab a once in a lifetime opportunity, will receive up to £25,000 salary plus £20,000 expenses for costs directly associated with the work from the Vodafone Foundation. Vodafone will give each winner the latest mobile phone so they can share their thoughts and experiences through the internet.

Becoming a winner on 2008’s World of Difference programme enabled Lucy Caslon to dedicate herself full-time to a charity she co-founded in Africa. She set up ‘Msizi Africa’ with a friend after a visit to Africa in 2006 with the aim of helping to relieve the hardship of children, where the AIDS pandemic has left many without parents or an extended family.

Lucy believes World of Difference has changed the charity for the better. "The World of Difference programme has catapulted ‘Msizi Africa’ from an unknown charity to one that’s making a major difference to children’s lives in this sector” she explains.

“Vodafone Foundation’s World of Difference award is a fantastic opportunity for highly talented individuals to commit a year of their life to a charity they believe in” added SolarAid Executive Director, Nick Sireau. “At SolarAid, we’ve found it invaluable to have World of Difference awardee Miguel Ramirez working for us and a huge boost to our solar work in the developing world.”’

Note to Editors

About The Vodafone Foundation (vodafonefoundation.org)
The Vodafone Foundation has invested over £100 million in projects since its creation in 2002 concentrating on disaster relief, helping disadvantaged children via sport and music initiatives and specific projects across Vodafone’s 22 local Foundations worldwide.

About World of Difference (vodafone.co.uk/worldofdifference)
World of Difference is the flagship programme of The Vodafone Foundation, a registered charity, founded in 2002 which combined with its partner local foundations funds around £36 million per year to social investment projects around the world.

World of Difference currently operates in 12 Vodafone Foundations around the World and by 2010, will be in 18 countries. 120 people around the world have so far participated in the programme and this figure will grow throughout 2009.

About Msizi (msiziafrica.org.uk)
Msizi Africa is a UK registered charity, founded to enrich and better the lives of vulnerable children throughout Africa. Msizi strive to make a significant difference to the lives of children in Africa through the provision of nutritious food, basic medical supplies and shelter.

About SolarAid (solar-aid.org)
SolarAid believe that the two most important threats facing humanity today are climate change and global poverty. SolarAid was launched in 2006 as a response to this.

SolarAid aims to enable the world’s poorest people to have clean, renewable power. Solar power leads to better education, health, safety and income by allowing poor communities to cook, pump water, run fridges, store vaccines, light homes, schools, clinics and businesses, power computers and homes, farm more effectively, and much more.

SolarAid carries out DIY solar projects - training local communities how to build small scale solar devices such as solar powered radios and lanterns - and installs small solar systems for community centres, medical clinics, schools and other such communal infrastructure.