Meet Our Youth Ambassadors

What’s Your Name?

My name is Joseph Kolapudi, and I am a Youth Ambassador for People against Poverty. I was born and raised in Australia, have lived in the United States, and work for a nonprofit based in Birmingham in the UK.

Tell us Your Story?

I have been interested for quite some time in assisting young people to find their passion and purpose, especially as a Christian; and for me, I have found this to be my calling in life – to serve in His mission in the world today.

Coming from a traditional upbringing, my parents instilled in me their values and beliefs which they were raised with while they were living in India, and this sparked the passion inside of me to one day return to the land of my ancestors.

I eventually began learning more about India and began to visit the country along with my family every three to five years, and noticed the poverty in the inner-city slums and in the villages where we used to visit. I wanted to do something about it, but didn’t know where to start.

Why People against Poverty?

I came across the work of People against Poverty a few months ago, and realised this was the right place to start. The passion that I still have for assisting those facing poverty in vulnerable and difficult situations is the same passion I have found while talking with the founders of People against Poverty, when I first connected with Bill and Val Huxley. I now have a platform to connect with other young people who share the same interests and want to make a difference in the lives of those living in poverty. I also found out that one of the projects that People against Poverty are working on in India is assisting those in the villages to fight the cycle of systemic poverty. I am glad to be on board with the team as co-chair of the Youth Ambassador program to tackle these issues by finding new ways to alleviate poverty together with other young people as well.

What’s Your Name?

My name is Advait Kuravi. As is self-evident, it is often mispronounced!

Tell us Your Story?

Just over one year ago now, my friend and I were lying languidly in the school’s classroom, when we were struck by an idea. Why not do a fundraiser, and why not do it for an indispensable cause – GuideDogs for the Blind? Little did we know then that six grueling months later, replete with roadblocks and complexities, we would be leading a team organizing a 31-hour world record attempt which would involve over 300 people and raise £8556.50. It was at that point in time that I developed a crushing addiction. I became a serial fundraiser. Over the next 12 months, I led numerous teams through 6 more events, raising money for the exigencies of the situation. Unfortunately, the notoriously time-consuming IB course is looming in sixth form, perhaps hampering my future efforts.

Why People against Poverty?

Progress with poverty knocked back by around 10 years. Millions immiserated by lockdowns around the world, many without government support. Starvation. Those were the facts that jolted me to action to help those who suffer from poverty – it is more important now than ever before. I partially refer to Peter Singer’s ‘drowning child’ argument and Andrew Carnegie’s ‘Gospel of Wealth’ in my conclusion that it is our moral responsibility to help those who are so much less fortunate than us, and People Against Poverty is a brilliant charity which does just that.

 

What’s Your Name?

My name is Ella Docherty and I am in the Upper Sixth at King’s School Bruton.

Tell us Your Story?

I lived in Kuwait from the age of 9 -13 and witnessed extreme prejudice and discrimination on a daily basis. The clear inequality that I observed towards certain ethnic groups and workers has fueled my passion to help people such as these and give them a voice. This has driven my determination to make a positive change in this world and fight for the rights of those who may not be in a position do so for themselves.

Why People against Poverty?

The international work that they are doing to break the cycle of poverty really inspired me to want to be part of this great opportunity – the Youth Ambassador Scheme.

What’s Your Name?

Coco Hammond

Tell us Your Story?

I was brought up in rural Leicestershire, moved to Edinburgh to study at University and returned to live and work near my home town. I am a care worker and spend a lot of time with older folk. I am really a country bumpkin so it struck a chord with me when helping at the summer camps in rural Romania a few years ago. I saw there how nature helped give children a break from urban life. I want to combat poverty and improve children’s lives in different countries.

Why People against Poverty?

I went to boarding school near Trowbridge where the charity is based and first got involved on a school trip with the charity in 2010. This was my first trip to Romania and the year the charity was rebranded. The work People Against Poverty (PaP) does inspires me to follow their journey and to learn how the charity has grown. It’s interesting to know PaP is founded on a series of missionary visits to Romania around the early-90s, when the momentum increased following the fall of Ceausescu with pictures of what was extreme poverty being seen in the UK. It is my aim to visit Romania again to see first-hand the projects and to follow people’s stories. To help their projects in the six countries as well as the UK is important.

What’s Your Name?

Sally Ktish

Tell us Your Story?

I’m 20 years old girl that live in a small village in north Israel, I’m a model United Nations delegate, international member in the global youth organization.

As a young girl who lives in small village and being part of a minority community here in Israel, I thought it was impossible for me to make difference, but as I grew up I started to volunteer in many youth movements and organizations, and in animals shelters as well, I became a social activist, in 2020 I was rewarded with the “Elad Riven” prize for volunteering youth.

This year, I worked on a huge project to help people who are facing poverty here in Israel:

After the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of people lost their jobs, and it was a really cold winter season here in Israel, so I thought about doing fundraising for them, but I wanted both sides of people to benefit from my project, so I started to collect used books from people (books that they have read, they don’t use it anymore..), in less than a month I was able to collect more than 4000 books, and I made a huge Book Fair and sold the books in symbolic prices, and all the money I donated to people in need.

Why People against Poverty?

Since I was in middle school, my dream was to help people who are facing famines and poverty, I always tried to help them, and speak about the harsh conditions they are coexisting with, in 2020 I represented Haiti  in a conference, because I know that in Haiti a lot of people are waiting for us to help them! But I can’t do this alone, and that’s why I chose to be part of People Against Poverty.. Because here I found people that are aiming for the same thing as I do, which is to decrease poverty and help people  as much as we can.

 

What’s Your Name?

Lucy Martin

Tell Us Your Story?

I’m a Politics and International Relations undergraduate with a passion for youth education and engagement. Whilst out on work experience at the UN in Geneva, I was increasingly alarmed about child poverty, education and employment. Since I have been determined to make a positive contribution to society and assist young people in creating the bright futures they deserve.

Why People against Poverty?

I have been interested in getting involved with an NGO for quite some time and came across People Against Poverty’s Youth Ambassador Scheme. The charity’s contribution and commitment to alleviating international poverty combined with their willingness to work with people from all backgrounds/cultures inspired me to be part of this fantastic team. I soon realised that this was the perfect place to start and look forward to supporting People Against Poverty on their mission.

What’s Your Name?

Maya Ramirez

Tell Us Your Story?

I have always had a strong interest in charity and helping people from a young age. In year 5 my friend and I decided we wanted to raise money for one of the charities in Bath called Julian House. Our fundraising was successful and we managed to raise £500 between us. From then on I decided that this was something that I was passionate about and wanted to continue strongly in my life. I have had a strong interest also in immigration and being mixed race has opened my eyes to some of the racial discrimination that a lot of immigrants face today.

I hope to set up my own charity in the future or work for an NGO working with immigrants to better their life.

Why People against Poverty?

I grew up knowing the charity as my mother is involved as the Charity Secretary and I went to lots of the events where I came to know it better. I appreciate their intentions and the good they are doing to improve the quality of other peoples lives and the youth ambassadors scheme was the perfect gateway to get into charity work with the support of experienced people that can show me the way.

 

What’s Your Name?

Nakish Chekuri

Tell us Your Story?

Covid-19 implemented an unrelenting block on a global scale, leading to the promulgation of lockdown procedures. Despite the adversity being faced over the past year, it opened my eyes. It opened my eyes to the world beyond. From a child, I’d like to think I was a caring person however I’ve always wanted an avenue in which to channel this. I’ve always wanted something to work towards. That’s why in June 2020, I founded a non-profit organisation. The aim? To address education inequality. The importance of education cannot be exaggerated and with millions of children restrained to the premises of their households, I anticipated a significant threat to their education and development. That is why, along with a team, we started this organisation – Aspire2Help – in order to provide support and mentoring services to those who are disadvantaged and are not able to access educational facilities like others. This boils down to inequality and the setting up of my organisation is what fuelled my passion for assessing various forms of inequality around the world and trying to make a difference.

Inequality is something we must address in society – and something I’m incredibly passionate about. To those interested too, I would highly recommend the book, “Why Nations Fail,” by which provides an economic outlook on inequality and how it arises in society with the examination of case studies. It’s a sweeping attempt to explain the gut-wrenching poverty that leaves 1.29 billion people in the developing world struggling to live on less than $1.25 a day. And this served as a torchlight into exploring the plethora of other inequalities in society – and poverty is no different.

Why People against Poverty?

“Together we won’t stand idle where poverty exists”. Plastered across the homepage of, “People against Poverty,” this striking message immediately captivated my attention. Poverty is pervasive across the world with swatches of countries engulfed by this state of being. People against poverty is a respected and great charity which aims to address exactly that. A collective effort to alleviate poverty. As people – with intrinsic human characteristics – it’s our duty to stand together against injustice, come together in times of hardship and work together to address and solve pressing social issues – this is no different. And this is the thrust of People Against Poverty which is why I’m thrilled to represent this esteemed organization as a Youth Ambassador.

What’s Your Name?

Divya Ram

Tell us Your Story?

I work as a project manager with General Electric for their renewable energy division in the UK. I have completed my MBA from Nottingham Business School with Dean’s Scholarship of Academic Excellence. I also hold an engineering degree from SRM University. During my undergraduation, I was involved in educational camps with an aim to teach deprived children.

I am also associated with ‘Tech-A-Mania’ and Expertrons; where I assist students as an ‘Education Mentor’ on higher education applications, scholarship essays, and job interview preparations

Why People against Poverty?

‘People against Poverty’ provides me a platform to make a difference at a global level. If poverty has to be eradicated from the world, the root cause has to be fixed which is providing education at the preliminary level. Education gives a person wisdom, exposure, makes them independent and self sufficient

What’s Your Name?

Christina Cushen 

Tell us Your Story?

I am a university student of Business and Law, and I am hopeful to work at the United Nations in the future. I am interested in poverty as I have autism and I strongly believe that people with a disability and females face extreme poverty around the world as we get discriminated which makes us vulnerable to poverty.

Why People against Poverty?

I am hoping to make a difference to every person around the world who faces poverty with the hope of giving them a better future no matter what disability, gender, ethnicity, nationality or age they are.

What’s Your Name?

Anusha Salhan

Tell us Your Story?

I was born and brought up in Droitwich, a small town in Worcestershire and I have always had a strong passion for helping others and trying to do good for my community. I work with the Worcestershire Youth Council trying to improve our local area and make young people’s voices heard. I have also been working on the Community Service board for the past 4 years and have raised money each year for charities ranging from Birmingham LGBT to Lupus UK. I enjoy setting up fundraisers (who doesn’t love a good cake sale!?). In light of the disasters and emergency committee appeal, through an enterprising challenge I raised just under £400 in 3 days for Ukraine. In my spare time, I am extremely interested in economics and politics and am passionate about improving inequality and poverty in the UK as well as the global poverty situation.

Why People against Poverty?

I believe that the work that People against Poverty are undertaking is meaningful and transformative for several communities globally for example the Dignity project in the UK is supporting families already facing crises and trying to not only help in the short term by providing cooking equipment but in the long term as well by providing appliances to help with budgeting and hygiene. As well as this, due to my Indian roots, I was fascinated by the projects in India. People against Poverty provide essentials for children that we often take for granted such as clean water and a safe school environment. People against Poverty’s commitment to alleviate international poverty and its determination to reach all those suffering around the world ultimately is what set it apart from other organizations for me.

What’s Your Name?

Prisha Jindal

Tell us Your Story?

I grew up in Solihull, and we are closely knit with the local community here. It has taught me what it means to be together and to help one another as a society. Also, I have come to love my  culture and celebrate it, as well as explore that of other countries.

I want to spread this further out to the world and am a strong believer in globalisation. I see a lot of inequality in the world, where many people see places depending on how developed they are, or how much money the average person has. However, I believe places should be known for their unique culture that every country in the world has to offer, not how poor or rich they are.

I also believe that helping to combat inequality and poverty is not providing people with resources to just survive, but also teaching them the skills and know how to stand on their own two feet. I have a particular passion for economics as it helps understand the nidus of disparities and where to hit the hammer.

Why people against poverty

To truly help a country combat poverty, I believe that we have to support the younger generation of the country to be able to lead their country in a better direction, get a good education, to be healthy, efficient individuals that can transform the economy and the prospects of their home. I have seen that People against Poverty have a particular focus on children in many of their projects, such as those in Haiti, where they collaborate with orphanages to optimise the childhood of these children, or those in Tanzania, where they are helping deaf children. What stands out especially is how the organisation focuses on projects in key niches that can influence the community. I wish to be a part of this game-changing organisation and help make a genuine, measurable difference in people’s lives.