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the inCREDible journey

Amy sat down after her first evening working in the slums of Addis Ababa.  With tears in her 17-year old eyes, she stated “this day has changed me forever”.  

Four months later she was standing in front of 100 dignitaries in the UK Parliament, telling her story of one week in Ethiopia with the CRED Foundation.  Ten months later she was back in Africa working with children who live with HIV/AIDS.  She was right, her life would never be the same again.

From its genesis, CRED’s vision was to connect UK people and their skills with dynamic projects around the world.  Yet it wasn’t until Paul Sanderson MBE joined the foundation that the idea of ‘The Zone’ was born.  He could see teams of UK young people delivering activity weeks in slums, schools and refugee camps all around the world.  Now in it’s third year, The Zone is transporting scores of young people outside of their worldview and into countries like Ethiopia, India, and Thailand.

The impact of the teams has been dramatic for CRED’s international partners.  Skilled specialists train and travel with each team, facilitating staff and project development. Teams also bring vital funds and equipment to be invested into the long-term growth of the projects.  

Most importantly, some of the world’s poorest children get to experience life outside of the routine of slum life.  They get to play simple games and activities that Western children take for granted.  They have fun like never before, and have the undivided attention of teams of British teenagers wanting to make a difference.

Team members come from different backgrounds; from council estates to Royal estates!  The diversity of the team begins the process of challenging the young people’s views and perspectives.  When they arrive on location, they meet men, women and children from very different cultures, and discover that other people have very different needs, concerns and values from their own.

I have learnt that it’s the simple things in life that matter like family, friends and community and that it’s not all about material possessions.  I have seen children that have absolutely nothing but still manage to have a smile on their face.
                                RM, Littlehampton

With the training and experience gained from their trip, young people from the UK have been empowered to live life differently.  Some previously ‘challenging’ pupils have returned to school ‘unrecognisable’ to their teachers, due to new outlooks and positive choices.  Others have returned to unexpected job offers.  Many have returned determined to channel their energies into helping communities in both the UK and abroad.

Now I know what life is like for many in Africa, I don’t ever want to hold back from doing what I can to change lives and help the poor.
                                AW, Windlesham   

The success of the trips lies in their ability to transform communities in some of the poorest areas of the world, whilst also transforming the lives of young people from one of the world’s richest nations.  One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that poverty and wealth shouldn’t just be measured in monetary terms:  both the young people and the projects become enriched and forever changed by connecting together.

Give the gift: Sponsor a child in Ethiopia, India or Burma to be able to go on a Zone Activity Week

Simon Paylor works for the The CRED Foundation and is passionate about international development.  CRED is a UK-based charity that believes in ‘Participation for Transformation’. CRED partners with six pioneering organizations in Ethiopia, India, Colombia, and on the Thai/Burmese border.  Between them these projects have helped and empowered nearly half a million of the world’s poorest and neediest people.  If you’re interested in joining a Zone team, or have any other query, you can email CRED at info@cred.org.uk

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