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.

Hafsa is a member of the Youth Ambassador Scheme at People Against Poverty. Originally from Pakistan, Hafsa has witnessed the substantial impact of Poverty on communities and is determined to make a positive contribution to society. Although she comes from a background mainly confined within the Accounting and Finance industry, Hafsa has spent the majority of her free time working with a variety of various non-profits and charities, mainly focusing on fundraising. 

What has particularly attracted me about People Against Poverty is their willingness to go out of their way to help people of all backgrounds and cultures. As a member of the Youth Ambassador scheme, I am keen on supporting People Against Poverty in their mission to alleviate poverty and create a positive impact.

Having witnessed first hand the significant impact of charity work in third world countries, I am determined to contribute my time to furthering this impact. The Youth Ambassadors scheme at People Against Poverty has allowed me to follow this passion; enabling me to put my skills and resources in to use for a good cause. 

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?

Holly Whibberley

Tell us Your Story?

I’m a Geography Student at the University of Liverpool born and raised in the City of Derby in the East Midlands. Growing up in Derby, I saw the effects that poverty had on my own community daily, particularly the impact of child poverty, which is compounded by low levels of social mobility – and this is what initially inspired me to try and make a change. I started volunteering with schools, charities, campaigning, and I am young leader in Scouts which has allowed me to support my local community.

Why People against Poverty?

When I saw People against Poverty’s Dignity project and their work internationally, I knew that I wanted to get involved. As I’ve grown up I have realised the privilege I have had. As a result of my education and that privilege, I am in a position to use that going forward to make a positive difference in communities that are neglected by systems designed to work against them. Poverty is an endemic issue, and I am proud to be given the opportunity as a youth ambassador to help break the global cycle of deprivation, and to shed a light on the youth perspective on such issues in society today.

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?

Francesca Ritchie

Tell us Your Story?

I’m a Geography BSc student at the University of Liverpool but have grown up in Sheffield.

Despite it not being a city with a particularly high poverty rate, I have been aware of the problem from a young age due to regular poverty funding projects, particularly for the St.Wildrid’s Homeless center in Sheffield, at my church and primary school. This awareness has inspired me to get involved in numerous fundraisers for people suffering with poverty and homelessness including several bake sales and summer festival events over the years.

Why People against Poverty?

I have always been interested in getting involved with community schemes, particularly surrounding the issue of poverty and homelessness, especially due to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, with no.1 being to end poverty everywhere. As a Christian, I felt that PaP would be the perfect charity to get involved with and give back to society, and due to the great work that they are doing worldwide to support the less fortunate.

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.