Saphara in 2024

Standing on the cusp of a new year, it is exciting to think about all the plans that lie ahead. There may be new goals but the vision of Saphara in 2024 remains the same:

To inspire young people locally and globally to create flourishing communities of social justice and compassion, empowering them to Be the Change in their communities.

Be the Change Schools

As we look back on 2023 we see the significant impact of initiatives like our Be the Change Schools programme, setting the stage for an even more impactful year for Saphara in 2024.

We now have 185 children representing 16 schools from all over N. Ireland.

These students have already completed one workshop from our year-long programme and are about to embark on two more before hosting an event for 300 newcomer primary school children in the summer term. They have planned individual and school fundraising events to support the work of Saphara and to help children and young people in India who are more disadvantaged than themselves.

Last year’s newcomer event was captured on BBC Newsline…it gives you an insight into the work of these young people and the significance of this event.

Year 13 students taking part in group discussion at a workshop

Be the Change Colleges

Our college team of 3rd year teacher training students from St. Mary’s College and Stranmillis has begun its preparations for their trip to India in April to work with children and teachers in our partner schools: SNEHA and Kaplani.

They will be spending time in February at a residential event to plan and build relationships before this exciting trip at Easter.

Teaching student working with a group of children in India

Be the Change India

We also have an exciting plan for Saphara in 2024 as our team of 22 women get ready to travel to India at Easter.

They will be working in SNEHA and Kaplani schools and meeting the girls involved in the Girl Champions programme there.

They will also be meeting with local women, doing eye tests and distributing free reading glasses. 

Flo Adair will be coordinating this group and is certain the group of women will be totally humbled; coming away feeling that they will have learned more and been given more than they take with them.

Dr. Christine Burnett talking with 2 girls in a school in India.

15th anniversary of Saphara

Dr Chrsitine Burnetts standing with teenage girls in India

This year we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Saphara.

It began with our founder Dr. Christine Burnett.

To hear more of her story head here.

Last year Christine travelled to India and visited the wonderful work of schools in very poor tribal areas in Jharkhand. Here, teachers show each child that they are loved by God with a special focus on adolescent girls like those above.

As a part of the Girl Champions programme, the girls created a Happiness jar and every week, wrote one thing they were thankful for to put in the jar, adding a few rupees if they could.

At the end of the school year, they tipped out the contents of their jar and enjoyed reading through the good things that had happened throughout the year. Even more exciting was the money they had managed to save – some as much as 2000 Rs (or £20), and deciding how to spend it. Initially, they planned to give the money to their mothers to pay for their school fees, but their teachers suggested they should also buy something for themselves.

After much discussion, they decided what they needed most was underwear, unaffordable for many parents. They spoke proudly of being able to buy this for themselves!

Empowering girls to support each other to change their own lives is right at the heart of our Saphara vision.

We have 1,665 adolescent girls on this life-transforming programme in 2023/24 and look forward to seeing what impact the programmes continue to have on young people both locally and globally.

Fundraising

Year 13 students abseiling down the side of the Europa hotel, Belfast

As always, our young people and students have lots of exciting events and ideas for their fundraising totals.

Abseils down the side of tall buildings, bun sales, workshops, and marathon relays have all been planned!

We look forward to sharing more of these with you as we head into our fundraising for Saphara 2024.

Last year our fundraising supported:

You can get involved.

Here’s how…

  • Support the young people involved in the Be the Change programmes financially.

Each young person has their own fundraising target and personal donation page where you can give to help them reach their target. Chat with them and find out more about what they have been learning at our workshops. 

  • Pray for the work of Saphara.

For all the young people involved, from the Newcomer primary school children, sixth formers,
and teaching students to the children in our Indian schools and girls on our Girls Champions programme.

Pray for our staff team as they work with all the young people involved, seeking to inspire them to be passionate advocates for justice for marginalised children, locally and globally.

  • Join us on Sat 8 June for a sponsored Mournes challenge to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Saphara.

Don your walking boots and raise some money to help the wider aspects of our work. Keep an eye on our social media pages to find out more or get in touch directly.

Let’s make a difference. 

Let’s Be the Change

Our Christmas Gift Appeal remains open. If you would like to help us transformational change through education head here. 

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

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