Helping Youth Shine
We believe every young person should have the chance to fulfil their potential
and SHINE in whatever they choose to do. We promise to give
something back to the communities we operate in for generations to come by creating
life changing opportunities for young people.
Here are the stories of the young people we've helped shine this year...
Helen: From student to charity fundraiser
One of three children, Helen from London, has been in foster care for the past
10 years. A visit to Kenya in February 2009 boosted her confidence and showed
her another side of life. She is now working with other students to raise funds
for the Lavenda Springs project in Kenya.
Maxine: From dress maker to US degree student
Maxine's home, the enchanting Caribbean island of Grenada, is a great place
to live, but educational opportunities are limited. Thanks to a scholarship
from Virgin Holidays, Maxine is now studying for a degree in Tourism Management
at the University of Florida.
Nataana: From fields to the classroom
Nataana is now able to go to school, because income from our excursions near
Enkerari village in the Masai Mara is being used to provide education in her
community, as well as basic sanitation, running water and access to health care.
It is making an amazing difference to her life.
Amswell: from Pupil to fish farmer
Amswell is a student at Speyside High in Tobago. Thanks to Virgin Holidays and the Travel Foundation he has been learning how to farm fish and not only make a career for himself, but also take the pressure off wild fish stocks and protect the beautiful coral reefs around Tobago.
Johnson: From unemployed to entrepreneur
Johnson lives in the Johannesburg township of Soweto where opportunities are limited. With support, guidance and funding from the Branson School of Entrepreneurship he has managed to set up a flourishing internet café and provide employment for others in his community.
Sujith: From beach boy to tourist guide
Sujith used to work as a beach boy walking up and down the beaches selling to tourists. After help from Virgin Holidays and the Travel Foundation, he has now become a trained professional guide, working within a group to take turns to promote excursions to tourists. He now has a higher and more stable income, a brighter future and visitors are getting better quality excursions with less hassle on the beach.
Here are our charity partners worldwide:
UK
- Our home town of Crawley is a great place to work and live, but it has one
of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the UK and a disproportionate number
of NEETS (16-24 year olds, Not in Education Employment or Training). We've
teamed up with Crawley Council and our local secondary school to help raise
the aspirations of pupils in our local area. www.crawley.gov.uk
- Dreams Come True - we provide an annual donation of holidays to this wonderful
charity who provide 'once of a lifetime' experiences for terminally ill children
and their families www.dctc.org.uk
USA
- Stand Up for Kids works across the USA finding and helping homeless street kids, and improving their lives. Virgin Holidays helps fund their outreach sessions, which provide food, clothes, hygiene products, guidance and education and has been successful in reuniting many kids with their families.
Caribbean
- A donation to the Travel Foundation is included in the price of every holiday
we sell. This funds initiatives such as a scheme to teach schoolchildren about
business through encouraging them to grow herbs, farm honey and raise fish
while raising money for their schools, operated by The Travel Foundation in
Tobago, St Lucia and Jamaica www.thetravelfoundation.org
Africa
- We help fund an initiative to give students from South African townships,
the skills and confidence they need to set up their own businesses with The
Branson School for Entrepreneurship, through Virgin Unite www.virginunite.com
- We actively assist with a Travel Foundation scheme to help ensure Maasai
villagers get a fair share of the revenue earned from tourist visits in Kenya.
www.thetravelfoundation.org
Asia
- We help fund various Travel Foundation initiatives such as a project to
train local unemployed youths as tour guides www.thetravelfoundation.org