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Youth Ambassador Program

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

The Youth Ambassador Program was started in 2007 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Charlotte, NC.  It's inception began after much consideration by the principal and Samaritan’s Feet Founder Emmanuel Ohonme as they discussed how to deter suspensions, detentions and the school’s absentee rate.  Ohonme thought, what better way to capture the hearts, minds and attention of teens surrounded by gang activity, drugs, and poverty, than by giving them a positive outlet to direct their energy.

2007 Youth Ambassadors, South Africa

The Youth Ambassador Program gives students the opportunity to make positive choices by learning about other cultures, ethnicities, religions and regions around the world all while developing a heart of compassion towards others and an entrepreneurial spirit.  The program also seeks to inspire, educate, empower, and help students pin point their passion thus driving them toward their true purpose in life. 

2008 Youth Ambassadors, South Africa

Core Components:

·  Participate in an apprenticeship

· Travel overseas to serve

· Use knowledge from the global mission apprenticeship to execute projects

Application Process  - Closed for 2009

Criteria:

• Currently be a 7th grade student
• Currently attend a Charlotte Mecklenburg School (NC)
• Maintain a 'B' average or improve grade average to a 'B' by selection deadline
• Complete the first phase of the application process (instructions listed below)

How to apply:

In ten sentences or less, tell why you want to become a Youth Ambassador and why you are interested in going to White River, South Africa.  Please print legibly in ink or type your sentences.  All documents should include your name, school, grade and phone number.  They must be emailed to yap@samaritansfeet.org, faxed to 1.888.287.1252 or mailed to Samaritan's Feet Youth Ambassador Program, PO Box 78992, Charlotte, NC 28271.  You will be notified by phone if you have been selected to complete the next phase of the application process.

2009 scholarship recipients will travel to White River, South Africa in November 2009.  As a part of the process, students will distribute shoes to the underprivileged and immerse themselves in the African culture as they learn with local students in their classrooms.  Students will also participate in other projects that will meet the needs of the poor, creating a renewed perspective, a sense of purpose, and motivation to affect a positive change in their school, community, and world.

To learn more about White River, South Africa, click here .

To read reports and reflections of the youth ambassadors, the chaperones, and the Youth Ambassador Program Coordinator from the field click here.

Youth Ambassador alumni are currently hosting a fundraiser for children in South Africa through t-shirts they have designed. Click here to learn more about the t-shirt project and how to purchase one.

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