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Inspiring
Young people through transformational encounters with others
Equipping
Young leaders to realise their potential locally & globally
Empowering
Young people to Be the Change in the world
Igniting
Young minds to spark local and global change

We believe in the potential of young people to be the change in the world. Here's how:

SAPHARA

Be the Change Schools

Each year we partner with secondary schools across NI to deliver Be the Change Award to 150 sixth form students.

SAPHARA

Be the Change India

We partner with schools and NGOs in India to support their vital work providing education for all.

SAPHARA

Be the Change Girls

There are 15 million girls worldwide who are never expected to enrol in school. We want to change that.

SAPHARA

Be the Change Colleges

Equipping teaching students from Stranmillis and St Mary’s to deliver affirming education to marginalised children in NI and India.

Latest News

Group of girls in uniform at a school in India

Saphara in 2024

At Saphara we are passionate about the power of education to transform lives.

In India we work with some extremely poor and marginalised children and see how the education they receive at our partner schools is bringing powerful change into their lives.

Read More »
Child in school uniform in India encoruring donations to Christmas Gifts Appeal

Donate to our Christmas Gifts Appeal 2023

At Saphara we are passionate about the power of education to transform lives.

In India we work with some extremely poor and marginalised children and see how the education they receive at our partner schools is bringing powerful change into their lives.

Read More »

ABOUT US

Saphara Be the Change

We are a team of experienced, passionate educators who believe in the power of experiential learning, having brought life-affirming education to thousands of children and young people in Northern Ireland and India.

We believe that each child is of unique worth and has the right to be valued, respected, loved and given the opportunity to flourish. We are committed to enabling every young person to develop their God-given potential.

We are dedicated to providing transformational learning opportunities for young people and educators which encompass intellectual, emotional and spiritual development through creating safe spaces for self-reflection during their Saphara encounters.

Journeying in an Uncertain World

Journey has always been at the heart of Saphara. Journeys from Northern Ireland to India have transformed the lives of thousands of N. Irish and Indian young people from 2009 to 2019, through encounters with each other.

Since the pandemic, our focus has been on young people who journey to Northern Ireland, refugee and asylum-seeker children living in disadvantaged areas here. Our Be the Change Schools programme has taken root with sixth-form NI students delivering affirming educational fun days to primary school newcomer children. 

The pandemic has also had a huge impact on our partner schools and NGOs in India, and our commitment to them is unchanged. Thanks to our wonderful supporters, Saphara has given over £150,000 to our Indian partners during Covid, providing food and basic supplies, funding online classes and tuition centres, and protecting adolescent girls from trafficking and abuse.

We are continuing to fund Back to School places for 100s of impoverished children.

Be The Change Approach

Saphara Be the Change Award is founded on Transformative Learning Theory, encompassing 3 key elements:

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HEART

Advocacy together globally – connecting with & learning from marginalised children in India through connecting digitally & supporting by fundraising. 

HANDS

Action together locally – connecting with & learning from newcomer children in NI through action. 

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HEAD

Awareness together - Delving deep into what divides & unites us, locally and globally. Povery, justice, racism, religion, sectarianism, diversity & inclusion.

HEART

Advocacy together globally - connecting with & learning from marginalised children in India through connecting digitally & supporting by fundraising.

HANDS

Action together locally - connecting with & learning from newcomer children in NI through action.

Support us

Saphara believes that every child is of immense value and worth and that education is key to enabling disadvantaged youth to overcome poverty. The charity focuses on educational projects which build capacity, and strategic interventions which empower young people. Saphara works in partnership with local schools and NGOs that can demonstrate buy-in and ownership from local communities. These are uniquely placed to effect long-term and sustainable change.

Get in touch

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Saphara
7 Demesne Avenue
Holywood, Co. Down
Northern Ireland
BT18 9ND