Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan explains how working for the Vodafone Foundation World of Difference project is the chance of a lifetime...

Do you have a burning passion to do something extraordinary to help others? Ever thought of working overseas for a charity? If you have, the chances are it’s remained a dream, as there are always the bills to pay at home.

The Vodafone Foundation World of Difference project changes all that. Eight people will get the chance of a lifetime to spend a year working for an overseas charity they’re truly passionate about, and receive a £25,000 salary plus £20,000 expenses to do so.

However, you need to be faster than a Freddie Flintoff full toss to get your application in. There’s just two weeks left and the July 30^th deadline is now just around the corner.

Whether it’s ecology or human rights, child development or working with animals, this is a huge opportunity to do something meaningful in your career by taking your skill set in the direction you want and enjoying some life experiences that money cannot buy.

One of last year’s winners Lucy Caslon spent a year working with HIV orphans in Zambia, Lesotho and South Africa. During this time she raised enough money to feed hundreds of children and help to fund and build dormitories. Now back in England, she continues to campaign and raising funds to the tune of £30,000 a year for these children.

Lucy joins us live on our Web TV show to talk about her experiences and can answer any questions you have about World of Difference with former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, who has seen first-hand what development projects can achieve.

Don’t be caught out, watch the show and get that application in before July 30^th!

H: Vicky Letch, host
M: Michael Vaughan
L: Lucy Cavlon

H: Hello and welcome to the Good Causes Show I’m Vicky Letch.  Now have you dreamed of giving up the daily grind to go overseas and work for a charity?  I know I have.  And that’s just what you could be lucky enough to do with the World of Difference project from the Vodafone Foundation.  But you’ve got to get your application in fast and make sure that it’s all done properly to be in with the chance of selection for one of 8 places.  How do you do that?  Well who better to tell us than one of last year’s World of Difference winners, Lucy Cavlon who is back in the UK between visits to Africa where she’s helping children left orphaned as a result of the AIDS pandemic.  Lucy thank you so much for popping in to see us

L: Good to see you

H: It’s lovely to have you here.  And also joining us today is the man who as captain of the England Cricket team led the boys to Ashes victory in 2005, Michael Vaughan, is also a supporter of the Vodafone Foundation World of Difference project, and has seen firsthand how important overseas charity work can be.  Now listen we are live as live can be so if you have any questions, queries or comments that you want to get to Lucy or Michael, do pop them into that question box and press submit and we’ll talk very quickly and try and get as many answered as possible.  Welcome to both of you.  Thank you so much.  I’ve got to say this is a really exciting project, so before we get stuck in, let’s just go – well let’s congratulate you Lucy

L: Thank you

H: One of the first batch of winners – one of 6 winners?

L: Yes, yes.  Very exciting. It’s 6 months into the program and it still doesn’t feel real. It’s just been a big blur or excitement to be honest

H: I bet

L: Great program

H: So just for the sake of everyone watching at home, can you just give us a brief synopsis of what the World of Difference project is all about?

L: Yes essentially World of Difference program gives 8 people this year, the chance to work for a charity of their choice.  And obviously there’s a financial implication for people who want to sort of volunteer for a charity and actually they’re given a £25,000 salary which means that they can work for a charity and they can still pay their rent and bills and stuff like that, so –

H: Ok.  So when you say charity of their choice, it could be Joe Bloggs who says I’ve got an interest in – it doesn’t matter the area, they don’t have to have experience in it or –

L: Well for the program this year the work has to be overtaken overseas, so it has to be endorsed by a UK registered charity

H: Right

L: So you need to discuss that with them first.  And then yes if you’re one of the lucky 8 you could spend a year in Africa, India – wherever.  And again no particular skills, just a real passion for the people that you want to help

H: Excellent and I have to ask you, who are you spending your placement with?

L: I’m spending my placement with CC Africa, a charity that I set up for AIDS orphans.  We now look after about 1000 children in 4 countries across 7 projects.  So yes it’s a busy year

H: My goodness me.  Ok well we’ll go into more detail about that, I really want to talk to you about that in more detail but before we carry on Mr Vaughan is in the house, and for all the cricket fans out there who are probably chomping at the bit thinking ask him something about cricket, I’ve got to ask you, my knowledge of cricket is about that big.  There are balls and wickets and men in tight, white trousers.  But I understand that we are in the Ashes now and we drew in the first test

M: Absolutely yes

H: What are you predictions for us?

M: I think it’s going to be very tight.  The first game, certainly the last day had all the makings of back to 2005

H: Yes

M: With the traumatic endings and that, and the razzmatazz and the nail-biting finishes, that was exactly what Cardiff was about in the first game.  We didn’t play brilliantly as a team, so we’ll have to improve our performance starting on Thursday at Lords

H: Yes

M: If we do that, sport’s a funny thing you know, things can change so fast and –

H: It’s true

M: And hopefully we can produce a better performance and beat the Aussies, go 1-0 up sometime next week

H: Ok.  I hope that satisfied all of you cricket-crazy people out there.  Maybe we’ll have some more cricket questions a little bit later on, but Michael you’re here because obviously you have played at international levels, so that would send you all the way around the world, and in your travels you have been to some of these countries that have been changed by some of this charity work?

M: Yes absolutely I’ve so much admiration for Lucy and all the work that all people do in charities, but with me touring around the world I’ve been so fortunate to visit so many great places, and when we go there for instance in Pakistan, we were there just after the earthquake.  And myself and Marcus Trescothick were lucky enough to go up in a Shanouk up to the hills and drop off a load of clothing and food

H: Wow

M: To the families who have been affected, so there was one incident in Sri Lanka where we went there the year after the Tsunami, and all the team went to a village to drop off a load of sports kits there to the kids, and the faces that you see –

H: Oh it must be amazing

M: They haven’t just lost their houses, some of them have lost their mums and dads, and you know we were dropping off kits.  So we feel we were making a difference, and this is what this project’s all about, people – and inspirational people – can apply and by July 30th

H: Yes

M: Which is the closing date, and they can make a difference. They can go and register with a charity and be endorsed by a UK based charity and then go and work overseas and make a real difference, something that I’ve been fortunate enough to do

H: Yes. And you can see that difference happening first hand. That must be quite emotive I would imagine

M: Well it’s just that glint in their eye, I mean Lucy will tell you the same.  It’s something very special.  Something that you can’t really have anywhere else.  And we’re so fortunate in this country to have all the necessary things that you need on an everyday basis

H: Yes

M: That when you go to these poorer countries and you see them in the villages, it’s – you know very fortunate to have done that and as I said 8 people have a great opportunity to go and be and make a difference and be inspirational

H: Yes.  Absolutely.  So we know it’s a fantastic project, but you know we say 8 and that’s great there are 8 winners, but I imagine there’s going to be quite a few people applying, so how important do you think the applying process is?

L: I think the most important thing is to show that you’re really passionate about the charity that you want to work for, and obviously you have to get in the key facts about what the charity does, and – but remember that Vodafone would be contacting the charities to get more sort of nitty gritty information.  So I think what you should put into your application is just why you would make a difference

H: Ok

L: Why you’re qualified to do it, and so don’t make it about sort of figures and the nuts and bolts of it, just let yourself come through in the application and just say why it would make so much of a difference t oyou

H: To you

L: And focus on you and what you can bring to those projects abroad

H: The personal touch.  I imagine you remember quite well sat there, filling in the form

L: Yes.  I did.  I did several drafts and stuff and thought about it really carefully but I’ll be honest I did submit the application and it was only sort of when I got contacted and short listed that the reality began to hit home, and it was only then that I thought this was such a huge experience. So actually the 6 weeks after that it was all I could think about to be honest.  It sort of took over my life until I got htat call in September saying that I’d won

H:  I imagine.  Well so it took over your life and now I imagine it has completely changed your life hasn’t it?

L: Yes.  Yes for the better.  I mean the year’s sort of flown, we’re halfway into it and yes the charity’s gone from strength to strength, just from having the time to do it, because obviously before the program I was running it in my part time, so at the weekends and stuff, but now this is my job, so everything that I need to do I can do which is great

H: So what is your – what’s your typical working week?  Or do I even use the word “typical”?  What is your working week this week?

L: This week well this week you know I’m preparing to go back to Africa actually at the end of July so it’s just kind of tying up loose ends and arranging visits to the projects over there, because obviously I spend most of my time over here raising money

H: Yes

L: But the problem is actually spending it and making sure that it’s being used properly, and you know just going over there and seeing, you know the difference, you know the children getting bigger and healthier because they’re eating nutritious food. We completed a dormitory at one of our orphanages, and I’ve only seen photographs actually since it’s been completed, so it will be nice to sort of see it in the flesh, so to speak, so

H: Gosh it must be an incredible thing to be a part of that

L: Yes it’s great

H: You know, very rewarding.  So what do you say to people, because I’m sure there are lots of people watching now who say do you know what, I’d really like to get involved in this but perhaps I don’t have the confidence or I don’t think I have anything to offer.  What advice would you give people like that?  Both of you can jump in on this one

M: I’m really interested to see the kind of people that are going to apply.  I can imagine a builder who may not be getting as much work and has got a real link to a charity and he can see himself going overseas and building a school or a sporting facility

H: Yes

M: You know joiners, plasterers, you know you can really see all sorts of applicants coming in, but I must stress they’ve got until July 30th to put the applications in, and two weeks is not a long time and if you’ve not seen the charity, you’ve got to get endorsed by that charity first.  So you’ve got to get the endorsement then you’ve got to apply, so move fast

H: But this is open to everyone isn’t it?

L: Yes over the age of 18 and obviously you do have to have the endorsement of the charity, and but yes we’re not looking for brain surgeons, people with a million degrees, it’s just someone that really, really wants to help

H: Ok.  And it’s a panel vote I’m told?

L: That’s right, all they have to get is in July 30th and then they’ll be a panel – it’s like X Factor isn’t it?

H: It is – with Simon and Sharon – well it’s not Sharon any more

M: Some time in September the lucky 8 will be given their roles, and I think something like end of October –

L: Yes, yes

M: They’ll start their campaign so -

H: Ok.  Right let’s get on then with some of these questions. As I said we are live today, so if you’ve got any questions be quick because we are running out of time.  But Lorraine Sterling, thank you very much for your question.  She says “do I need any qualifications?”

L: No again just find a charity that you desperately want to work for and apply.  I think if this program, you know makes you sit up and think God that’s amazing, then you’re the right person to do it.  I think that’s the only qualification you need to have

H: Ok excellent.  One here from Mike, Mike Connelly – “I have no real” – ooh – ok – ooh – ok – “I have no skills I think to speak of” I think that says “but I’m a very passionate and caring person and I don’t really know what I can offer the World of Difference cause except for my time and dedication.  What opportunities are there for somebody like me to give something back to the needy people in this world and do something meaningful and make a difference?”

M: Well if he’s passionate and dedicated they’re the two big traits that you need so –

H: Yes I was going to say, yes

M: So if you’re dedicated that’s exactly what a charity will require, so time to get in contact with a charity

H: Yes

M: Register. Get the endorsement and apply

H: Ok.  Thank you very much.  David thank you for your question.  David says “this is for Lucy” – Lucy.  “Do you intend on returning to Africa at some stage to oversee the continued work that is being done?”

L: Absolutely yes, at the end of the month.  Yes I mean you know the kids that I look after, I feel like they’re sort of my children anyway because I’ve lived with them for you know 4 months before I even set up the charity so I love to go back and see them anyway, and you know kids that were 3 when I started out are now 6, 7, they’re going to school

H: Yes

L: So I feel like I’ve got you know a family in Africa almost to go and see.  But yes you know you do have to look at the sort of financial responsibility that we have, and obviously I’m passionate about the charity but I can’t do anything if people don’t give me money to spend

H: Absolutely

L: So I have a responsibility to check that it’s being spent properly to go and oversee the projects and see if there’s anything else we can do. So yes it’s a trip at the end of July and I’m really looking forward to going back again

H: Excellent.  Robert, thank you Robert.  Robert says “is it possible to work for World of Difference for a year and hold my job and get paid in the UK?”

M: I think that’s down to the negotiations that –

H: I would say yes

M: Take place with your current employer.  But there are – I know Vodafone are offering a year’s pay to someone in their branches obviously if they do get the position of one of the 8, so

H: And if this is all whetting your whistle by the way and you want to get on with things straight away, remember if you want to have a look at this application form, go onto vodafone.co.uk/worldofdifference and you can see all of the details on there.  And I know I’m repeating myself but do take the time and effort over that application form, because it will be well worth your time.  Ok shall we go back to the cricket?  Shall we?  Let’s go back to the cricket.  This is from Charlie, aged 9, hello Charlie.  He says “when you were batting which bowler scared you the most?” Well probably the worst one!

M: Well yes.  A lot of them –

H: Were you scared?

M: A lot of them were quite scary, a lot of them bowled at 90 miles and hour, so Brett Lee, Shobacter – I wasn’t scared but I respected them, but –

H: I like that, let’s just clear this up.  I don’t feel fear

M: But the ball when it whistles past you, you know is on your head at 90 miles an hour, it’s – you get a slight sweat on

H: Have you ever been clonked –

M: Yes, yes yes I’ve had a few clonks on the head, it’s part of the job

H: I suppose it is isn’t it?

M: You’ve just got to get up and get on with it

H: Yes I imagine so

M: And hope it doesn’t hurt too much

H: Ok.  Right let’s carry on with these questions then.  This is from Marion, thanks Marion.  She says “I would like to feed orphans in Niger in Africa because of the Niger famine being so devastating.  What advice can you give me?”

L: I would say never underestimate what you as an individual can do.  I think it’s easy to get sucked into the bigger picture, and yes there are huge problems in Africa but you know I think with something like this you do need to take guidance from people who already work on the ground over there, so if she tries to affiliate with a charity that’s already working in that country, that would probably be the best way to go about it rather than trying to make an individual contribution

H: Ok great thank you.  Good advice.  Another one for you then, this one is from Acom Cricket Club.  “Could we see Vaughan Junior bowling the Aussies out in a future Ashes series?” How old is Vaughan junior?

M: He’s only 3 ½

H: Oh ok, right

M: But he’ll tell you already that he will do

H: Oh really?

M: I think he’s got a long way to go yet

H: Would you be upset if he went “daddy I want to play tennis?”

M: I’d prefer it if he said I’d like to play golf

H: Oh would you?

M: Yes.  I can see myself flying around seeing him play golf

H: Yes ok good.  Nice question, thanks, from the cricket club there.  Right we’ve got one here from Dave saying “what kind of person are you looking for, and we’ve touched on this anyway, I think we’ve answered that, but with the current climate the way that it is, the economic climate, people are starting to think outside the box a little bit more, so you could really get quite a mix of people going for this.  So those key things that you’re looking for someone, if we’re not focusing so much on qualifications – you’re saying dedication –

M: Well I don’t like to embarrass her but you need exactly what Lucy is

H: It’s true.  It is true

M: She’s here in the flesh, she’s committed, she’s passionate, she spent hours doing – when she had a job she used to get home from work at 5 o’clock and continued into the night no doubt, in the small hours

L: Yes

M: And really dedicate her life to the charity, and that’s what charities need, dedication

H: Yes.  So when – I have to say – when you had the phone call then to say you were the finalist, I mean it must have been an amazing day. 

L: I went really silly. 

H: I bet

L: I was in an open plan office and I think with anything like that when you’re expecting news that could be really good or really bad, you’re never sure if you’ve heard it right.  So I kind of squealed and then thought oh God what if they said no, this could be really embarrassing.  So before I started saying thank you thank you thank you, I said can you just repeat that, and then yes went into meltdown and got really silly and shrieked a lot, and handed in my notice then and there actually

H: Did you really?

L: Because you can’t really keep it a secret because everyone wanted to know what I was so excited about

H: My gosh that is amazing

L: So yes it was very exciting, it was very exciting

H: Ok. We are winding things up because we’re running out of time, but before we go anywhere let’s just go back again, we really need to get the point across that you don’t have a lot of time to do this.  You are running out of time.  So what do they need to do Lucy? Their first steps?

L: Get in touch with your charity.  Decide who you want to work for very quickly and call them

H: Ok.  And they need to be endorsed

L: Absolutely

H: By their charity

L: Yes.  Your application can’t go any further unless you have the charity’s say-so

H: Ok and then in terms of the application?

L: I would do a draft maybe get someone else to have a look through it and then just get on with it, get online and submit the questions.  Because you know otherwise you’re going to miss this brilliant opportunity, so hurry up

H: hurry up.  Hurry up she says

L: Hurry up

H: And Michael – the web address?

M: Vodafone.co.uk/worldofdifference. July 30th

H: July 30th

M: Two weeks

H: Let’s all say it together.  July 30th

L: July 30th

M: July 30th

H: Do it now.  Ok thank you so much to both of you

L: Thank you

H: I might go for this. Right that’s all we have time for, but if you are interested in applying for this once in a lifetime opportunity log onto www.vodafone.co.uk/worldofdifference. The deadline for application is on the 30th July so good luck if you are going to be applying, and remember if you are going to spend a year out on this, make sure you put the effort into your application form.  Best of luck to each and every one of you, thanks for watching and I’ll see you soon.  Bye bye