Program Overview

PotashCorp has partnered with Free The Children and Me to We to offer students interested in the issue of food security an opportunity to volunteer in a community in India next summer. Participants will learn first-hand about sustainable development and bring the spirit of global citizenship back to their schools and communities.

This scholarship will provide youth with a chance to:

• Learn about agriculture and food security, a key pillar of sustainable development.
• Contribute to sustainable agricultural programming by volunteering in rural communities.
• Develop valuable leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Connect with other young people who are passionate about global issues.

Youth will also have a chance to:

• Explore local villages, learn about the India caste system and take Hindi lessons.
• Engage with local students and learn about the unique way of rural agricultural life in Udaipur.
• Participate in hands-on workshops and learn about poverty-related issues in Asia, as you experience them yourself.
• Best of all, each trip supports community development through the work of Free The Children.

Watch the Trips Video

Safety

Safety is our top priority. Every year, about 1,500 youth travel overseas on a volunteer trip with Me to We, and we make sure every detail—from ensuring that proper safety protocol is followed on the build sites to ensuring that everyone drinks enough water—is carefully planned and supervised by our experienced trip facilitators. All facilitators are familiar with the communities where the trips take place, and are always around to ensure each participant is safe and comfortable.

For more information about Me to We Trips’ safety record, policies and practices, please click here.

About the partnership

Food security will be a top issue for our generation and generations to come, as the global population grows and available land for food production shrinks. That’s why Free The Children and PotashCorp are committed to working with communities around the world. PotashCorp, a Canadian company that plays an important role in global food production, is a longstanding champion for global agriculture and food security and has partnered with Free The Children as the founding partner of the Agriculture and Food Security pillar as part of the Adopt a Village development model. Through the fifth Adopt a Village pillar, Agriculture and Food Security, communities can grow the food they need and plant strong roots for the future.

As the world’s largest producer of crop nutrients, PotashCorp makes the food needs of people around the world a priority. Each year, from 2013 to 2015, PotashCorp will sponsor a Me to We volunteer trip for 25 students from across Canada. The destination of the trip will rotate each year; with year one in Kenya, year two in India, and year three in China. In addition to the support of youth trip scholarships, PotashCorp will be supporting Agriculture and Food Security initiatives in six Adopt a Village communities in Kenya, China and India as part of the new fifth pillar. PotashCorp is also supporting an Agriculture and Food Security curriculum and speaking tour to teach youth across Canada about local and global food security issues. PotashCorp is supporting We Day nationally as a Presenting Sponsor, helping the event reach new levels. PotashCorp is also the Regional Title Sponsor of We Day Saskatchewan, making it possible for the event to be hosted in this province.

FAQs

1) Who is eligible for this scholarship?

Eligible applicants are students between the ages of 13 and 19 who have demonstrated a commitment to global issues or community volunteerism, and who have a special interest in agriculture and food security. They must also submit all required application documents (including completed application form, nomination form and a personal description stating why they are interested in the program).

2) What are the criteria for students being selected?

Applicants will be selected based on personal interest, merit, and demonstrated commitment to increasing food security around the world. The ideal candidates are young leaders who are already working to improve their local or global community, and who will use this experience to motivate and inspire others to take action.

3) How many students will be selected?

25 students will be chosen to participate in the PotashCorp Food Security Scholarship Program in 2014.

4) When can students apply?

Applications will open soon. Check back later for more details.

5) Does a student have to be nominated in order to apply?

Students can choose to nominate themselves or can be nominated by a teacher, family member or member of their community.

6) How does a student apply?

In order to apply, students must complete and submit the online application form. This form includes contact information and a personal description stating why they are interested in the program. In addition, students must have an online reference form submitted on their behalf by a teacher, mentor, community leader, coach, employer etc—someone who is familiar with their interests and strengths. The application and reference forms will be available soon.

7) Are there costs that are not included in the PotashCorp Food Security Youth Trip Scholarship?

Certain travel and incidental costs are not covered by this scholarship program. Each student who receives a scholarship is responsible for covering his/her own costs for certain incidentals including passport, visa, vaccinations, insurance and spending money. Me to We will work with students to help them fundraise for these costs, should this become a barrier to travel.

8) How will students find out if they have won?

Students will be notified by phone or e-mail.

9) As a teacher, can I recommend more than one student?

Yes, teachers may provide a reference for as many deserving students as they like. Teachers must complete one reference form per student.

10) Our school funded the building of a school with Free The Children in India. Will the student get to visit this school on the trip?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that a student will be able to visit a particular school during their trip, as volunteers travel to communities that are most in need of help on a project. The schools and communities that students will be visiting have much in common with those they have supported through their fundraising efforts.