Global Action Awards 2021 Overview: Mary Lou Burge

The Global Action Awards

The Global Action Awards (GAA) were established in 2000 by Worth Society to offer grants to Worthians proposing to spend an extended period of time in unpaid work for the good of others. To date, a total of £30,980 has been awarded to those who have participated in voluntary work for good causes around the world.

The global pandemic has sadly halted any award applications in 2021. We are very much hoping that as social distancing and travel restrictions ease the scheme will be able to restart for 2022. We therefore would like to remind Worthians that the awards are open to them at any stage in their life should they wish to take an extended sabbatical and undertake a voluntary project with a recognised charity that is both beneficial to themselves personally and to the wider community. The project may involve international travel, but although this is encouraged it is not a prerequisite as there have been several awards made for projects in the UK.

Award applications are reviewed and awarded by the Worth Society Committee which consists of the Chairman of Worth Society, Worth School's Head Master, alumni and current and former staff who meet each term. Key factors in making the award are:

• Development of the individual and skills that will be of use to the recipient post Worth

• Benefit to the chosen community

• Financial need

• The extent to which the candidate has used their initiative to help part-finance the project

Awardees write a report of their project for The Blue Paper upon their return and, as the Society feels that it is very important that awardees be involved in promoting the benefits of their activities to those who might follow in their footsteps, they are also asked to come back to School to make a short presentation to current students about their GAA.

If you interested in finding out more contact Mary Lou Burge, Worth Society Manager at worthsociety@worth.org.uk or call 01342 710241.

Will Harries with ICS in Tanzania

Antonia Foldes with TECHO in Colombia

Naomi Dring with Puericultorio JAVA orphanage in Peru

Edward Bridge with La Choza Chula in Guatemala

Sophia Enoizi with Operation Raleigh in Costa Rica GAAs Awarded since 2011

2019-20 Will Harries R’15 – volunteering with ICS in Tanzania £1,700 2018-19 Sophie Enoizi StA’18 – volunteering with Operation Raleigh in Costa Rica £1,000 Frances Oesterlin StM’15 – volunteering with The Hope Agency in Cambodia £500 2016-17 Edward Bridge (StB’11) – Medical Elective at The Western Regional Hospital, Belize and volunteering with ‘La Choza Chula’, Guatemala £1,000

Andrew Morris (R’06) – Medical Elective at Ananthapuri Hospital, Kerala, India £1,500 2015-16 Antonia Foldes (StM’11) – volunteering with TECHO in Colombia £2,100 2014-15 Peter Webb (C’14) – volunteering with the Manquehue Movement in Chile £1,000 Benjamin Booker (B’13) – volunteering with the Puericultorio JAVA Orphanage in Peru £500 Beatrice Lewers (StA’13) – volunteering with the Puericultorio JAVA Orphanage in Peru £500 Stephen Free (C’15) – working with VSO & ICS in Tanzania £500 2013-14 Merrick Winter (F’13) – teaching English with Global Vision International in India and Nepal £500 Charlie Bridge (StB’09) – teaching English with TASK Brasil in Rio de Janeiro £500 Thomas Harrison (StB’92) – founding Fusion Enterprise Music & Drama Group for adults with learning disabilities £150

2012-13 Charlotte Bonhoure (StM’13) – working with the Manquehue Movement in Chile £750 Naomi Dring (StA’13) – volunteering for Worth Abbey’s ‘Outreach Peru’ programme in Peru £1,000 James Folger (B’10) – teaching English at schools in San Jose in Costa Rica £400 Ciaran Stordy (StB’12) – working with the Manquehue Movement in Chile £500 2011-12 Niamh Fogarty (StM’11) – volunteering with Tanzanian NGO, TanzEd £500 Xavier Geissmann (B’11) – working with the Manquehue Movement in Chile £700 Francis Dring (C’12) – volunteering with The Peru Mission in the Amazon £1,000